Our backyard of Western Australia holds the most incredible trails, natural wonders and antidotes for the restless soul. There are various reasons as to why we may not be able to travel outside of Western Australia on a regular basis. But it doesn’t mean we can’t be adventurous and fuel our wanderlust tank by exploring where we live – today. Who knows – you may just fall in love with Western Australia in a whole new way.

8 Reasons To Explore Where You Live – By Foot.

1. Can boost performance, productivity and stamina

Learning to switch off on a regular basis is not only healthy for our wellbeing but also our performance and stamina. Yep, that’s right. Taking a break can benefit our goals, drive and focus. When we push forward without taking time to unwind, we increase the risk of burnout and exhaustion. This can lead to feelings of frustration, hopelessness and low motivation. Furthermore, when we don’t switch off on a regular basis it can lead to tunnel vision – a narrow way of seeing our goals, output and lifestyle. We may miss vital opportunities and solutions that aid us in being more effective in our approach towards different areas in life. Exploring outdoors away from our goals for a moment is a great way to clear out the mind, refresh the brain and be open to expansive methods that benefit our output.

2. Can get us out of a rut

It’s very difficult to get out of a rut when we feel trapped by our routine but don’t know what to do to change it. Exploring the outdoors can take us away from the “same old” and open us up to new ways of seeing things. For everyone, this will be different. For example, you may meet someone new on a group hike which opens the doors for new connections and adventures. The trails you discover may invoke curiosity about exploring a new trail every few months. It may be as simple as realising you haven’t had a lot time to yourself lately for fun and adventure.

3. Provides space for honest self reflection

Learning to take time out and reflect can feel unnatural at first, like the world is passing us by and there’s just no time to reflect. There’s a preference for activity, grinding and results no matter the cost. But it’s in this tranquil space that the chaotic, anxious and worried thoughts have a chance to rise up – and be released. It’s also a great way of seeing what we are grateful for and having time to appreciate the blessings in our life.

4. Get’s us out of our heads

We currently live in a world with many options and it can be overwhelming – like a never ending vortex of possibility and choices. Decision fatigue anyone? Hitting the trails can get us out of our heads and quieten the mental chit chat we have going on up there. Why is this good? We have a certain amount of brain power per day that helps us make decisions and get things done. Walking outdoors can help compartmentalise our decisions and thoughts – kind of like organising our house. Acting from a clear space can mean quicker decisions and faster response times which also means less procrastination and mental fatigue.

Recommended Book: Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long

5. Can inspire a new idea, solution or creativity

There’s always positive feedback from hikers after we meetup up reporting more energy, creative vibes and an overall sense of motivation. The most common statement, “I really needed this!”. Hiking is not just about what happens while we’re out exploring but also benefits us post-hike and in everyday life. We may feel inspired to do something creative. It may bring a solution or insight to a problem we have been mulling over. It can inspire a new ways of looking at things.

6. Adds time to our life

Being really present to this day slows our life right down. And why would we want to do that? Think about the really busy times and moving through the days without being present. Life flashes by, right? Walking outdoors can bring us back to earth. Centre us. Focus us to this very moment. This is important if we want to cherish each day, squeeze the life out of each hour and live with less regret. Be in the moment, it’s all we have right now.

7. Can refuel and rejuvenate you

Oh hiking. It can do wonders to a tired, over stretched soul. It’s like being out of breath and finally reaching down deep into our lungs for the freshest oxygen. There’s a sense of relief. Fresh life. A reminder that we are alive and that is amazing! Why wait for a vacation when we can experience this on a regular basis?

You might also like: The Power of Breathing On Your Brain

8. Enjoy where you’re at

Hiking is symbolic of the journey of life. Everything is a process. We don’t often see behind the scenes of other peoples lives and maybe that leaves us feeling that we need to hurry up. When we predominantly focus on the end results without soaking in what happens along the way, we may be putting off joy. No matter how busy or big our goals are, it’s ok to pause, reflect and appreciate what is right now. You may find that the journey becomes a lot more satisfying and whether you reach that goal or not, you’ve enjoyed as much out of your life as you could.

Check out this list of places to explore in WA

Can you add more reasons to the list? Comment below!

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