Some may call it glorified walking but to others, hiking is the best way to leave stresses and responsibilities behind. Pack a little bag of essentials and leave your worries in the parking lot or even fill a backpack with gear and food and disappear into the woods for a week. Hiking is a great hobby with easily traversed levels of commitment, you don't need fancy hiking boots and an ultra-light tent if you don't want them. Start out with your comfiest sneakers and a full water bottle on a beginners trail near home with a couple of friends and work your way up to overnight trips and thru-hikes. Whether you hope to one day hike the Appalachian Trail or you're happy to stick with moderate, flat hikes, you can find a precious peace on a hike.
Be sure you follow hiking safety at all times: try not to hike alone and when you do make sure a few people know where you're going, what route you're taking, and when you expect to begin and end and do not deviate. Don't overestimate your ability, bring plenty of water and snack for every hour you plain to be on the trail. Keep an eye out for predator prints and scat in wild country and always watch where you step to prevent a twisted ankle or a bumped head.
