Theres a reason so many writers waxed poetic about the beauty of the great outdoors, from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Sylvia Plath to John Keates . Nature can have a profound impact on the human experience.

Thats never more evident than when you hit the trails and go on a hike. Not only is hiking a great way to notch some physical activity, its quite possibly one of the best forms of fitness when it comes to your mind. Theres just something about the combination of exercise and fresh air that transforms your outlook.

Science is constantly finding brain-boosting benefits to outdoor trekking, from a sharper recall to improved mood. Below are just a few ways hiking can help your mental state:

Hiking might help reduce stress.