Why not make it a goal this coming year to spend more time in nature? It’s a great way to improve your physical health, disconnect from the internet, and push you out of your comfort zone—it’s like three of the most popular resolutions rolled into one. The best part? With a little help from your electric bike, it’s easy to get out into the world exploring in nature.
There are lots of ways to get out into nature with your ebike—starting with a visit to your local park. One of the best perks of living and working in our hometown of Portland, Oregon is that almost everywhere is walking or biking distance to a park or trail. Huge ones like Forest Park that are awesome for long rides in the woods, and smaller ones scattered throughout the neighborhoods, all with their own unique charms and one common denominator: big lush pine and fir trees.
Many Pacific Northwesterners would tell you there’s something magical about the trees, and though that’s not quite true, there’s evidence that spending time among them can be beneficial for your health. A recent study compared people who walked in a city regularly to those who walked in a forest and found that the forest walkers had lower numbers of stress hormones and lower blood pressure(1.) Researchers believe that one of the reasons is that trees release chemical compounds called “phytoncides” that have been linked to lower blood pressure and enhanced activity of certain types of white-blood cells. Interestingly, the trees that are high in phytoncides tend to be those that are known for having strong and distinctive scents, like cedar, which has long been prized in aromatherapy and massage.
If you’re willing to go a little bit further on your ebike, pick out a natural area that’s approximately an hour’s ride from where you live—or even further than that if you’re feeling bold(2.) Once you’ve arrived, fully immerse yourself in the natural environment by taking part in the practice of forest bathing. Simply put, forest bathing is the idea of spending time in a forest (or in any natural area — it doesn’t have to be a forest!) and simply existing within it. See it, hear it, experience it, soak it all in. Stay for an hour or three and then ride home. The combination of moderately strenuous exercise plus the meditative forest bathing session is an excellent one-two uplift for mind and body.
Of course, it’s one thing to want to spend more time outside and in nature and another thing to actually do it when you have a busy life and ten million other things to think about every day. Still, spending more time in nature is such an attainable goal, it’s worth it. Once a week, once a month, an hour here or there, whatever is the right amount of time for you. You provide the motivation, and your electric bike will help you get there.
(1) Researchers measured participants’ systolic blood pressure and found an average reduction of 7 mmHg from 141 mmHg to 134 mmHg
(2) How far can you go? The upper end of battery-assist range for our 10.4ah battery is approximately 40 miles; for our 14ah battery, approximately 60 miles
