Abigail Boone: Journal 9 - Outside Reading

A while ago, I read an article about the relation between hiking and veterans. At first I didn't understand how these two things were connected, but after reading I fully understand how hiking can become a healing ritual for people, not only veterans. While being in combat, veterans see and experience a lot of traumatic things. Once they are out of service, most tend to deal with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The article I read explained how hiking has many benefits, especially for veterans who struggle with their mental health. For veterans, going on a hiking trip is found to ease their mental health, give them a sense of peace, and overall strengthen their bodies and minds. I have multiple family members who have served in the military so I feel very strongly about this topic.

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