Hot take: Backpacking the Sierra High Route cleared my head better than any therapy.

Last summer, I tackled the Sierra High Route solo, and man, it was a game changer for my anxiety. I’ve always had a hard time switching off from work, but after three days on the trail, my mind just went quiet for the first time in years. No phone, no emails, just the sound of my boots crunching on gravel and the wind in the pines. I actually slept through the night without waking up worried, which never happens at home lol. By the end of the week, I felt more calm and focused than I have in ages. Has anyone else found that certain routes just melt away stress? I’m curious if it’s the physical effort, the scenery, or something else. Maybe we could share trails that helped with mental health?

3 comments

3 Comments

max4891mo ago

What if being alone on solo trips actually amps up your stress instead? I did a week by myself in the Rockies and my mind raced with all kinds of fears. For some of us, the quiet just leaves room for worries to get louder. Group hikes where you can chat work way better for my mental health.

the_oliver26d agoTop Commenter

Yeah, that "quiet leaves room for worries to get louder" is so real. I read something about how for some people, distraction with others is what actually lets their brain relax. Makes total sense that a group hike where you can just talk nonsense would work better.

the_ray1mo ago

Sounds like your brain and my brain would have very different conversations with those pine trees. Mine would be up all night wondering about bear logistics and if that rock looks suspiciously loose, basically just opening new anxiety tabs instead of closing them. Guess it's nice some people can achieve inner peace by being alone with their thoughts, while the rest of us just get a highlight reel of every dumb thing we've ever said. Maybe the real therapy is finding friends who hike slow enough you can complain to them the whole way.