Nature refers to the physical phenomena of the world as a collective. From the forests and soils to water bodies and beautiful landscapes, nature caters to all our necessities, including food, clean air, water, and habitat. But there is more. Experts now say stepping out into nature is good for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
That’s exactly why we thought it important to discuss stretching and the benefits of nature.
Whether you embark on a hiking trail, go camping in your RV, or take a vacation to a popular Mountain lodge, you will quickly realize the sharp contrast to city life.
Life in big cities is quick-paced and technologically involving, and its constant faffs can be mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting.
Taking a break to go somewhere quieter once in a while can, however, be extremely rejuvenating.
One key facet of physical exercise that resonates well with nature is stretching. Forget about indoor yoga studios. Step into the outdoors and get your body back in sync while enjoying nature’s breathtaking elements.
Imagine stretching from a mountain top, on a hiking trail, or next to a waterfall. Outdoor stretching does not only combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle but also helps you disconnect from technology and the modern hassles of city life.
Let’s examine how outdoor stretching can help you reconnect with nature and get your body rejuvenated amidst quieter, tranquil, and peaceful surroundings.
Is Stretching Good for You?
Regular stretching routines have a multitude of benefits for your body. It not only enhances flexibility, joint health, and posture but also reduces muscle aches and stress. Most people include stretching into their fitness routines solely to enhance flexibility.
However, studies indicate that changing the scenery and taking this physical activity into green spaces can contribute to improved memory and focus, among other cognitive functions.
Spending time in nature mental clarity, and can be spot on for our busy brains. A study from the University of Michigan involved students taking a hike in the woods. When the college administered a memory test, students who strolled in nature performed 20% better.
How To Take Your Stretching Routine into Nature
Stepping out from the hustle and bustle of our everyday modern city life into nature can be a life-changing experience. Imagine having had a long, hectic day full of endless meetings and arguments. For most people, this is a recipe for stress, physical, and emotional drain.
But how about you take a quick stretching break on a serene, tranquil mountainside filled with trees, fresh air, and only the sounds of chirping birds? Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
Nature is a healer. Scientists say we are genetically predisposed to be fascinated by elements of nature such as trees, water bodies, flowers, horizons, etc. And getting absorbed by them while stretching outdoors is the perfect distraction from stress. That said, here are the common ways to spend time in nature:
#1 Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity that involves long walks through natural environments, usually on established trails. It is an easy way to spend time and perform outdoor stretching. Besides being a great workout activity, you get to explore the new landscape and take in breathtaking views.
If stretching is on your to-do list, bring along your stretching or yoga mat in your lightweight packable hiking bag.
Hikers can get to enjoy natural dense wooded vegetation and guided wildlife-spotting expeditions. But depending on your travel destination, some beaches and mountain resorts have specially-built decks, platforms, and wellness centers where you can do teacher-led stretching or stretch on your own.
Alternatively, you can create makeshift stretching platforms in the middle of the woods while taking in fresh air atop mountains or grasslands as wild omnivores wander in the distance. Nothing beats the tranquility of being in sync with nature while flexing your muscles on a hike.
#2 Outdoor Yoga
Fancy performing some stretching routine in a beautiful mountain lodge? The Downward Facing Dog is a common type of stretching performed during yoga and can strengthen your upper back and shoulders. Yoga and meditation are Eastern practices that you can perform in a forest, mountainside, park, or on beach.
Try the tree pose stretch atop a mountain or in a forest and you will realize how stunning being outside can elevate your routine.
There are plenty of open-air yoga destinations where you can partake in outdoor sessions close to blooming flowers, cascading waterfalls, creeks, river confluences, glacial landscapes, etc. Outdoor yoga is an opportunity to explore your mind and body while connecting with nature.
#3 Camping
Are you looking for a getaway that will clear your brain fog? Camping is a perfect way to get immersed in nature’s wonders away from the busy city life.
Whether you camping in an RV or a tent, your choice of activities is limitless. You can step into nature and perform some active stretching during the day, or wait till nightfall to roast marshmallows, engage in stargazing, or sit around a campfire.
#4 Nature Walks
Going out for a nature walk is not only an excellent mood-booster, but you get to explore new places in and beyond your neighborhood.
You also get to find open spaces and serene grasslands where you can move your body, engage in some quality outdoor stretching, connect, and be in harmony with nature. This will boost your mental clarity, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
Rain Forest Vacation and Stretching
Feel the warm moist air around you. Listen to the chirps of birds and droplets of rain falling around you. Taste the rainwater on your tongue. Deeply inhale the fresh musky scent of rain. Watch as thousands of rain drops drip down around you from the leaves above. Where could you be? The rainforest!
Due to deforestation, the rainforest is the most endangered habitat on Earth. This is a devastating fact to come to terms with, not only because this ecosystem is breathtakingly beautiful, but these forests are also extremely important in stabilizing the entire Earth’s air supply.
Rainforests are said to have been part of Earth for around 70 million years. Rainforests are a natural wonder of planet Earth, and they should be preserved.
When we think of rainforest, we think of tropical scenery with parrots flying above and monkeys swinging from tree to tree, but this is not always the case. There are two different types of rainforests known as tropical and temperate forests. A rainforest is known to be a saturated forest with extreme biodiversity of its inhabitants and receives consistent rainfall year-round.
A rainforest has warm temperatures throughout the year between 72 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels of 77 to 88 percent. A rainforest endures heavy rainfall throughout the year receiving 80 inches to 430 inches of rain annually.
A few of the most tourist-attracting tropical rainforests are in Costa Rica, but did you know that there are a few rainforests located in the United States?
These forests lie within tropical Hawaii to no surprise, Washington state, Oregon, and surprisingly Alaska. And, every one of them is a wonderful place to connect with nature and thoroughly enjoy your stretching routine! And for our yoga enthusiasts, performing yoga in nature is an amazing feeling, both physically and psychologically.
#1 Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center
Hoh Rainforest: Olympic National Park
Hoh Rainforest, pronounced hoe, is a temperate rainforest located on the West side of Olympic National Park in Washington State. Airlines have been requested to redirect their flights to avoid going over the forest to prevent sound pollution making Hoh one of the quietest locations in the United States. To visit the national forest, you must purchase a visitors pass which you can do through the recreation website https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74290 where annual and weekly passes are offered for visitors.
You also have the option to purchase a pass upon your arrival at the gate where they only accept card transactions. If you choose to purchase your pass online, be sure to have it printed and ready for when you arrive at the entrance! Employees do not have a way to view passes purchased online due to spotty service. It is also very important to visit the National Park Service website, https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-the-hoh.htm, to view updates on any current closures.
When visiting the beautiful Hoh, be sure to use the restroom before you arrive. There are no restrooms available within the rainforest!
The Hoh Rainforest Visitors Center is the perfect place to begin your Hoh adventures! The visitor’s center is open daily throughout the summer months, closed from January through March, and typically open on weekends during the Spring and Fall months. Hoh’s visitors center provides helpful information to the visitors wanting to explore the forest’s beauty. Here, there is an extremely helpful staff who can provide you with tips and tricks for your adventures.
The center also offers exhibits to explain why Hoh is so unique. There is even a passport stamping station! If you would like a more informative experience exploring Hoh, you can book guided tours at the visitor’s center during the summer months. You can also feel free to wander the forest on your own on the two self-guided trails located just near the visitor’s center. The Hoh River Trailhead is also located not far from the visitor’s center.
When you see photos of Hoh Rainforest, they were most likely captured on one of the self-guided trails known as The Hall of Mosses Trail. This easy .8-mile hike takes you through a swampy fairy tale dream. For about 40 minutes you will be taken aback by the outstanding beauty of hundred-year-old Maples adorned with draping club moss.
This hike is a perfect adventure to immerse yourself in the beauty of Earth with yourself, your family, friends, or with the kiddos. Yes, this trail is kid-friendly! Unfortunately, it is not dog-friendly, so be sure to leave the furry friends to rest at home as you will not be able to enter.
The Spruce Nature Trail is perfect for those of you wanting to view the Hoh River. This flat and easy 1.2-mile self-guided trail winds along the outskirts of the Hoh River as well as Taft Creek. While exploring this trail you will see riverside meadows, marshes, hundred-year-old Spruce Trees adorned with moss, and maybe even the frequently spotted Roosevelt Elk herd!
To capture Spruce Nature Trail in all its glory the best times to visit are between April and October. This trail is also kiddo friendly due to its ease and again is unfortunately not pet friendly.
The Hoh River Trail is the most immersive of the Hoh Rainforest hiking trails. The trailhead is located near the Hoh Rainforest visitor’s center. This trail is not for inexperienced hikers. Hoh River Trail is 18 miles in its entirety, 36 miles round-trip, which on average takes about two to four days to complete.
Of course, there are multiple turnaround points along the trail that could easily make this trail a day trip. Many experienced hikers take on this trail to turn it into an adventurous weekend camping trip. When camping at designated campsites along this trail there are a few important things to take note of.
First, swimming in the Hoh River is strongly discouraged as the river is extremely rocky with a heavy water flow. Sadly, due to the danger, there have been a few fatalities from swimming in the river.
Second, while hiking on Mount Olympus bear canisters for food and wag bags are required. What a combination! Third, restrooms are not available. A few of the campsites offer pit toilets, otherwise, a hole can be dug to bury (human) waste that is six to eight inches deep and at least 200 feet from all water sources and campsites. Fourth, furry friends are again not permitted on this trail.
Lastly, water is available from the river as well as small side streams. It is recommended to bring a filter bottle to avoid having to boil your water.
Weekend camping is an amazing experience to immerse yourself in the uniqueness of Hoh. Camping within Hoh Rainforest does require a Wilderness Camping Permit before arrival. A spot will need to be booked for you and all persons in your group. This can be done through the recreation website.
This booking will then serve as your permit. Don’t forget that employees will most likely not be able to locate your pass, so be sure to print it out and bring it with you!
Hoh River Trail Campsite Amenities:
- Tom Creek: Community bear wire
- Five Mile Island: Pit toilet
- Happy Four: Community bear wire
- Olympus Guard Station: Community bear wire and pit toilet
- Lewis Meadow: Community bear wire and pit toilet
- Elk Lake: Community bear wire and pit toilet
- Glacier Meadows: Community bear wire and pit toilet
Supplies for Camping on Hoh River Trail:
- Campsite: Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and cooking supplies
- Waterproof shoes, and extra pairs of socks, as there are many water crossings
- Any rain gear you may need as it is a rainforest
- Fire starters for where fires are permitted along with a lighter
- Zip lock bags for trash
- Toilet paper and or wipes
- A small garden shovel to dig your toilet
#2 Quinault Rain Forest Trailhead
Quinault Rainforest: Olympic National Park
Quinault Rainforest is the second temperate rainforest located in the southwest area of Olympic National Park surrounding Lake Quinault. Quinault Rainforest looks a bit like Hoh Rainforest as they are in the same national park, but Quinault offers some easier hiking options. Winding pathways through moss-draped trees along Willaby Creek will absolutely take your breath away.
Quinault Rainforest Trail is an easy .5-mile hike that takes on average half an hour to complete. Hiking through Quinault requires a recreation pass which can again be purchased through the recreation website. Another perk of Quinault is that there is a restroom at the trailhead with a flushing toilet!
The Rainforest Resort Village is a lodging facility on the edge of Lake Quinault. The Village offers park side suites, the village inn, cabins, and even an RV campground. On the grounds, there is an outstanding restaurant that everyone raves about called the Salmon House Restaurant.
You can even visit the world’s largest Spruce tree on the grounds of the facility!
Summary:
While these two rainforests are in the same National Park, they each do have their perks. Hoh Rainforest is an awesome experience for avid nature enthusiasts to immerse themselves in one of America’s temperate rainforests for days at a time.
Quinault Rainforest is more family friendly as it provides various lodging options with amazing amenities. Quinault also offers easy-level hikes for families of all kinds to enjoy together.
#3 Oregon Rainforest
Oregon Rainforest: Valley of The Giants
Valley of The Giants is a temperate rainforest located in Falls City, Oregon. Valley of The Giants is home to Douglas Furs that average to be around 500 years old! That’s about the time Christopher Columbus entered America.
Hike through this rainforest on Valley of The Giants Loop Hike. This easy is 1.4-miles long and takes about an hour to complete. While the hike is easy, the drive to the trailhead is most definitely not. You will have to navigate up winding gravel and dirt roads littered with potholes. If you can make the trek, it is well worth the journey! This forest is dog and family friendly!
During fire season, August through November, the trail is closed for the safety of visitors. Before beginning your journey call the district office at 503-375-5646 to ensure there are no closures.
#4 Alaskan Rainforest
Alaskan Rainforest: The Tongass
The Tongass National Forest is a coastal temperate rainforest located in the southern region of Alaska. As if there being a rainforest in Alaska isn’t surprising enough, Tongass Forest is America’s largest National Forest with a whopping 17 million acres of forest.
The forest offers many hiking and camping options, but this forest offers a fun and unique way to display its scenery.
You can hop on a train ride on the White Pass that scoots along the Yukon Route Railroad. This train will take you through various parts of the Tongass revealing breathtaking views from a new perspective.
White Pass even drops passengers off for their overnight stays! The Denver Caboose Cabin is one of these few lodges. The Tongass is a unique sight to see in snowy Alaska!
#5 Rain Forest in Hawaii
The Hawaiian Rainforest
The Hawaiian Rainforest is a tropical rainforest that spans across all eight islands. A highly recommended hiking trail within these forests is known as Manoa Falls in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. This easy hike is 1.7-miles in length and takes an average of an hour and a half to complete.
This gorgeous hike through the beautiful Hawaiian Rainforest leads you to the bottom of Manoa falls. Please note that swimming in the pool of the falls is not permitted. The trail to the falls can become very muddy from the rain, so tread carefully with closed shoes.
Even though you are not able to go swimming midway through your journey the trip is well worth it for the beauty of the falls as well as the opportunity to see some of the locations where Jurassic Park was filmed. Before visiting Manoa visit Hawaii’s trail website, to get information on any closures.
#6 Costa Rica Rain Forest
Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Rainforest
Costa Rica is home to six different rainforests. These include tropical rainforests, tropical dry rainforests, and the rare cloud rainforests. The cloud rainforest is the rarest ecosystem on Earth, and Costa Rica just so happens to be home to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve!
Monteverde offers a unique experience taking you over suspended bridges to explore the cloud forest from the clouds! The suspended bridge trail is a guided trail offered by Sky Walk Tours. An amazing knowledgeable tour guide will lead you through winding paths pointing out wildlife and giving in-depth knowledge of the landscape around you.
You will go over five suspended bridges 300 feet in the air with extraordinary views of the canopies, see monkeys swing from tree to tree, and watch exquisite birds fly overhead. While you are in the Monteverde area be sure to stop at one of the many coffee plantations and get an in-depth lesson on how the coffee is locally sourced along with delicious taste testing!
Summary:
Who would have ever guessed the United States was home to not just one, but five rainforests? While they may not be exactly what you picture when you think of a rainforest, these four rainforests in the Northern U.S. offer a whole new realm of possibilities.
Those who were unaware of these forests, who always thought they may have to spend thousands to visit the Hawaiian Rainforest or travel internationally, now have options that are much more affordable!
The rainforest, tropical or temperate, is the perfect vacation destination for any nature buff to immerse their self in.
Benefits of Outdoor Stretching
Conducting your regular stretching routine in a gym or indoor yoga studio is good for your flexibility, posture, joint health, stress levels, and emotional well-being.
But you know what is better? Outdoor stretching is done near cascading waterfalls, atop mountains, while camping, or on hiking trails. You not only get to restore and rejuvenate your body but the peace and tranquility of breathtaking outdoorsy natural sceneries will provide much-needed mental clarity.
Here is why you should take your stretching routine into nature:
- Getting absorbed into the fascinating elements of nature can reduce the stress-inducing hormone.
- Besides offering fresh air, nature’s therapeutic properties can reduce anger and anxiety; two factors that impact blood pressure.
- Nature contributes to mental clarity and improved cognitive function.
Final Thoughts On Stretching and The Benefits of Nature
The incessant hustles and bustles of modern life can make you pass up the opportunity to explore nature’s vast beauty that lies beyond. However, there are numerous ways you can interact and spend time in nature.
Whether you are looking for a nature walk, or are considering embarking on a hiking trail, one of the most common ways to spend time is to perform outdoor stretching. You not only get to flex your muscles, but also disconnect from your busy routine that is often physically, emotionally, and mentally draining.
There is no doubt that stretching and the benefits of nature will greatly impact your daily mood, and thus, your overall well-being! You will be more alert and sharp, making everyday tasks much easier to complete, and less tiring.
