Romania: Freedom after a Long Week

 

A hike in the woods – freedom after a long week

We all know we should walk at least 10,000 steps a day but how many times have we stopped to consider how many benefits a walk in the woods can bring us? Just 45 min walk from my home in Romania, there’s Ceala Forest, a protected area (typical wetlands) where the oak, narrow-leafed ash, black and white poplar, white willow, and American black walnut create an environment excellent for a long walk at the end of a work week.

Walking has always given me a sense of freedom. I’ve even used it as therapy while going through a nasty phase in my life 4 years ago. Walking on the treadmill can have the benefits of burning calories and keeping you active, but nothing can beat the freedom of the forest.

The trees with their green leaves, the wonderful blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds, the birds playing and singing while you walk on the trail… all make it possible to forget about the long hours at the desk or that annoying phone call which ruined your Friday.

On a lovely Saturday in early June we set out to hike in the woods. I had about 30,000 steps to recuperate from over the weekdays – just to get to my minimal goal of 10,000 steps a day – and Ceala Forest was the best option. We left home at 8:45 a.m. and met up with a friend less than half hour later, then continued our walk past the airport and into the forest, following a bicycle trail.

The second the soaring trees have created shadow for us, nothing else metered. It was perfect, it was the quintessence of freedom. Just us , the wind , the forest and the birds. We walked on the bicycle trail all the way to an area where we could stop to have a picnic (make sure we leave nothing behind, just our footsteps) and then continue on a rather deserted trail to pass by River Mures and further to a lake, before coming back home. In total, 7 hours in nature on a gorgeous summer day.

My geeky self however took time to also talk about benefits of hiking in the woods. It has been proven the woods have a calming effect on stressed babies and also calms and relaxes the nervous system of the adults. A walk in the woods relieves stress and helps your immune system recover from what that stress has done to it. Walking the woods lowers your blood pressure , your heart rate and the glucose levels. It helps the body release cancer fighting proteins , decreases depression and anger , as well as fatigue and confusion.

Freedom cannot exist without a healthy body and mind. Sure, everyone sees freedom differently. If you would ask my parents, freedom in the 1980s would have meant to listen to Radio Free Europe without getting in jail; while for me , freedom means to be able to enjoy what I like to do anytime and without constraint, whether it’s a 16km hike in the woods close to home or a city break in one of Europe’s capitals.

Next time you find yourself near a woodland, put on those walking shoes and start walking. You’d be surprise to feel how it affects your body. Ah and for me, walking in the woods somehow releases my creative juices and I always end up writing articles after such a walk.

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