More and more women should have the opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of solo traveling and adventuring. To achieve that, we must confront our fears and break the old-age social norms. In my case, I had to break my legs first before I realized the delight in walking, wrapped with the wonders of nature.
When I was in Joliet, Illinois, I relished the years I spent on city living. I was happy being a part of the creative management team of an advertising agency. I never complained about the drive from my work to my place at Houbolt Rd. I had fun spending some of my weekend nights at Anthony’s Restaurant and Pub. And I valued the nights I spent with friends, exchanging stories over a drink at Heroes West.
But then one night, as I was driving my friend home after a good time at Heroes West Sports Grill, we got hit by a truck that was running a red light on Commerce Lane. I woke up in the hospital the next day with both my legs in orthopedic casts. That was the beginning of my three-month recovery and road to reconnecting with myself, glad I have found an auto accident attorney at Joliet who helped me with my claims.
I found out in the next couple of days that my friend did not survive the crash. I was devastated. Guilt, sadness, remorse, anger, and longing took over all my emotions at the same time. In the next few weeks, my attorney helped me claim just compensation for the injuries I sustained, and my doctors helped me with therapy so that I can regain full control of my limbs. However, I never felt like I could completely overcome what was going through my mind.
I was beginning to heal, physically. But my mental health deteriorated. It felt like enjoying my life the way I did before was wrong, inappropriate, or something I did not deserve. My family and other friends were there to show their support, but everything just wasn’t enough. Until one day, an aunt called and invited me to stay with her for a few weeks in Maine. Looking like I had nothing better to do, my parents booked me a flight.
Traveling around 2,000 miles was the shortest journey I made regarding healing myself of the personal injury I sustained, particularly the trauma that the car accident brought upon me.
What Hiking Did For Me
My aunt encouraged me to spend some time outdoors to relax my mind. While I was hesitant, I had nothing better to do, so I obliged. The Appalachian Trail was inviting and did not look intimidating or judgmental of my past.
As my aunt said, the walk was about getting myself out of a toxic situation that trapped my mind. It was about letting go of the things I could not change, coming to terms with that traumatic experience, and being comfortable with moving forward.
My decision to go solo on a hike was also about rebuilding trust, believing that I was capable of achieving something again safely on my own. The day-to-day short walks turned into longer distances that twisted and turned down unknown paths. They helped me become the strong, independent woman I once was, who was confident in herself and decisions in life.
Benefits of Going on a Hike
Hiking can heal a person’s mind and body. I am a living testament to that. And here are some of the benefits anyone can surely gain from taking time off a busy and stressful life.
- Hiking provides space for developing and honing one’s skills and improving emotional and mental well-being
- It builds faith and confidence in things that are yet to unfold
- It acts as a reset button that many of us do not realize is a need
- It reminds everyone how fleeting and beautiful life can be
Takeaway and About the Guest Author Frank S. Cservenyak
There are plenty of documented mental health benefits of traveling outdoors or doing exercise in general. To go on an adventure reduces the stress level a person might be experiencing. Hiking, for me, helped increase my “feel good” hormones.
Taking the time to appreciate the beauty of nature, and realizing how small yet valuable you are, would rejuvenate your mind and body. Hiking and some fresh air did that for me. Outdoor physical activities can boost a person’s mental health aside from improving one’s physical stamina. It’s about time we take a moment to appreciate our environment and what it does for us.
As the founding partner of the prestigious RCK Law Firm, Frank S. Cservenyak Jr. has built a reputation of experience and power specializing in several fields of the law: Personal injury, Criminal law, Commercial litigation, and Employment law. Frank’s love for the law led him down a path to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.
Now he is an active member of many prestigious organizations, including the American Trial Lawyers Association and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Throughout his career, he has won millions of dollars for his clients in damages from wrongful death cases, personal injury cases, and product liability.
Frank S. Cservenyak, https://www.rcklawfirm.com/attorneys/frank-s-cservenyak/
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