I’m a hiker — “born to hike”. It does my heart and soul good to take a pack and head out on a trail (小路), especially when I’m alone and can let my mind wander where it will. 【小题1】.

Hiking keeps your brain sharper than many other forms of exercise. As a professional writer, although I am busy with my work, I often spare some time to hike.【小题2】.

【小题3】. Exercise in general can be a good way to decrease stress. But what sets hiking apart from other forms of exercise is that hiking can happen almost anywhere and give you the happiness that you can take from nature.

Hiking can increase our creativity. I’m sure I’m not alone in finding that walks in nature let my mind wander freely in creative directions.【小题4】Sometimes, ideas relevant to music come up from unconscious places when I’m not deliberately thinking.

Hiking helps strengthen a positive relationship with the natural world. Besides being good for us, hiking may also help the world around us. After all, if we stick to walking and covering longer distances, we could use cars less and reduce our carbon footprint. 【小题5】. For example, it increases our connection to nature. As one study suggests, when we have a personal connection to nature, we are more likely to want to protect it. That means experiences in nature — like hiking — can be mutually (相互地) beneficial, helping people and the earth.

So, grab a water bottle, a backpack... and head out on the trail.You won’t be sorry you did.