Slow Down and Soak It In: Why Hiking Isn’t a Race

Let’s be honest — a lot of us treat hikes like checklists.

“How many miles did we do?”

“How fast did we get there?”

“How much elevation did we crush?”

But if we’re really listening, nature is never asking us to hustle. She’s asking us to slow down, breathe deeper, and actually be where our feet are.

Somewhere along the way, we forgot that hiking was never supposed to be a competition. It’s supposed to be a conversation — between you and the world around you. A place where wonder happens, not just sweat.

Why It Matters to Take It Slow

When you slow down, the whole trail changes.

You notice the tiny wildflowers tucked in the grass. You hear the creek before you see it. You feel the difference between the warm rocks in the sun and the cool shade under the trees. And your body — tired, busy, always “on” — finally gets permission to just be.

Research backs it up:

Studies show that even short periods of mindful time in nature can significantly lower cortisol (the stress hormone), reduce symptoms of anxiety, and improve mood (Park, Tsunetsugu, Kasetani, Kagawa, & Miyazaki, 2010).

Another study found that spending time in “awe-inspiring” nature settings leads to greater generosity, patience, and sense of well-being compared to time spent in urban environments (Piff et al., 2015).

“In nature, nothing is rushed, yet everything is accomplished.” — Lao Tzu

And for kids? It’s even more critical.

Richard Louv’s groundbreaking work Last Child in the Woods explains how nature helps children with attention, emotional regulation, and even social skills — especially in today’s overstimulating, screen-filled world.

You don’t need a harder hike. You just need to actually feel the one you’re on.

How to Actually Do It

• Forget the Finish Line: This isn’t a race. You’re allowed to wander, backtrack, sit, stare at a rock for ten minutes if you want to.

• Use Your Senses: Make a game out of it. What’s one thing you can hear, smell, see, and feel at every stop?

• Let Curiosity Lead: Follow the lizard trail. Smell the sage. Get dirt on your knees. (Seriously, when was the last time you did that?)

• Bring a Sketchbook or Journal: You don’t need to be an artist. It’s about looking closer, paying attention.

• Invite Awe: Stand in the middle of the trail and look straight up. Feel how small you are — and how good that feels.

“Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time.” — Katrina Mayer

The Real Magic

At Adaptive Roots Academy, we remind ourselves every day: Nature isn’t something to “do” — it’s something to belong to.

And when we slow down enough to really soak it in, that’s when the real magic happens.

The truth is, it’s not about reaching the summit.

It’s about the moment your child points out a hawk overhead — and you both stop and watch it until it’s just a speck in the sky.

It’s about noticing the tiny mushrooms hidden under the log.

It’s about feeling alive — not just busy.

Next time you hit the trail, give yourself (and your kids) permission to take it slow.

You’re not falling behind.

You’re finally catching up — to yourself, and to the world you’re a part of.

References:

• Louv, R. (2008). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books.

• Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26.

• Piff, P. K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D. M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899.