Mini Trail Guide #18: Tiny hikes = giant joy!

Go through a forest, stroll past lakes, and even cross a few bridges over running brooks

“These studies have shown that time in nature — as long as people feel safe — is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.” - Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health (January 2020)

When I promote play over on FunOrangeCountyParks.com, it’s to help you prioritize PLAY. It’s an activity that is so essential to child development that I put it in line with sleeping, eating, and breathing. Play is play. So don’t feel like outdoor play is superior!

How do I envision these tiny hikes working for you? I hope it helps you feel safer and more confident to get out to parts of OC you might not have visited before and learn through simple guides to the routes and about nature connections you can make even in our more urban areas. Yes - nature connections and meaningful experiences can happen from the sidewalk or a paved path. These outings can be so calming and joyful. It is an activity your kids can grow to seek out when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed later in life. Taking a walk to breathe, observe, and calm down is something I’ve witnessed with ALL the friends and family I take on these tiny hikes.

These playful tiny hikes take those considerable developmental benefits for the kids and add in a dose of health benefits for the whole family. And maybe help you find YOUR nature spot? The one that you go back to over and over because it just brings you and your family GIANT joy.