By Christina Staff, Healthy Planet Staff Writer
When is the last time someone told you to get lost… and meant it in a good way? Getting lost in nature not only provides countless health benefits for your physical body, but it also acts as a healing power to lighten your mood and nourish your soul. Pack the car and hit the road! Adventures in the form of towering cliffs, canyons, and cascading waterfalls are only a short drive from St. Louis.
What does “getting lost in nature” actually mean? Getting lost in nature is finding peace in an increasingly busy life; practicing mindfulness; stopping to smell the roses or evergreen trees. You aren’t hurried. There is no itinerary. This near obsession of “getting lost” started as a way for my son, Marshall, and I to connect and create lasting memories. We needed a break from this digital world overly focused on material possessions and comparison to remember what was most important – real life, people, and the gift of our time.
Getting lost in nature is subjective based on your personal outdoor preferences, whether that is hiking, kayaking, chasing waterfalls, or strolling around your neighborhood park. Hiking waterfalls trails has been our main focus, but both Missouri and Illinois offer a diverse range of outdoor options suited for your comfort and fitness level.
The point is to get out and get moving. Hiking, for instance, has a positive impact on your cardiovascular health while also helping to strengthen muscles and build endurance. Need another healthy advantage? Being in nature is a natural boost of happiness! Spending time outdoors has been linked with lowering stress levels while also managing anxiety and depression. Think about it. When was the last time you felt as though life wasn’t weighing you down? When did you last feel contentment simply being still and taking it all in? Witnessing a sunset from atop a bluff at Garden of the Gods has a way of bringing the splendor of life back into focus. (An easy hike we 10/10 recommend.)
While I appreciate the quiet, quality moments with Marshall away from distractions and electronics, he thrives on navigating us through rocky canyons or waterways whereas we get the muddiest. Conquering new challenges together makes us feel genuinely connected, and there’s a shared sense of accomplishment when we finish a hike and discuss which part we enjoyed most. Exploring nature has inspired some of our best conversations. Part of me hopes “getting lost” will be a mindset he continues throughout his life; possibly one he will pass on to the next generation as he reminisces, “My whole childhood was an adventure.”
Armed with trail maps, a cooler of food and drinks, extra clothes, and an eagerness to smell earthy, we have explored some of the most remote and rugged, yet beautiful and breathtaking, trails in the bi-state. Popping open the back hatch of the car to eat a picnic-style lunch is much more fun than one many anticipate. Remember, everything has the potential to be an ordeal or an adventure. (Always choose adventure.) The fact hiking is an inexpensive family activity is yet another perk.
Given the physical and mental rewards, being obsessed with the great outdoors is one addiction worth forming. And, for the record, we have never been officially “lost.” Though it has been close a time or two. “I didn’t think we’d ever get out of there, Mom.” True story. But, that’s one for another day. What are you waiting for? Get lost!
Chasing waterfalls is our favorite pastime, but it isn’t without risk. Some areas are incredibly remote and include hiking along high ridges and bluffs that have potential to be dangerous. Be sure to plan ahead and exercise caution. If you’re looking for travel tips or what to pack, shoot me an email, christina@christinastaff.com. You can also follow me on TikTok for more waterfall adventures, @stinaselections. Life is short. Take the hike. – Stina