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Walking in natural settings offers many benefits over and above those of being active, according to one of the leading general practice doctors in the United Kingdom.
This advice, from Dr William Bird, will surely come as good news for people planning hiking holidays.
The doctor explained that walking in a natural environment, whether at home or abroad, gives many various benefits to the hiker.
"When the brain is constantly bombarded with traffic and noise, it is not able to recoup and restore itself, and suffers constant stress which contributes to ageing," he said.
"Walking in a green environment, whether that's by a river or in a park … where you can hear birds and see trees and nature, allows the brain to restore its level of concentration," he added.
Recent research by University of Illinois environment and behaviour researcher Frances Kuo has revealed that that parks and green environments are essential for human health.
