Over the past few weeks I have been researching the benefits of the outdoors on an individuals physical and mental health while discussing my favourite physical activities in the process. As I have aforementioned, my favourite physical activities are hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, wake surfing and exploring new trails. I enjoy each activity for its own individual reason, and I believe that each activity holds its own positive benefit for an individuals well-being. However, I have also realized that they are several opportunities to combine certain activities to reach optimal health benefits in a diverse way.

Consequently, I understand that some individuals may not enjoy physical activity or the outdoors in general. As I have stressed regularly throughout this inquiry, every individual can benefit from nature as there are various activities to engage with in the outdoors. However, some activities can be combined to provide diversity in activities that focus on more than the just outdoors itself. For example, Lindeman Lake in Chilliwack, B.C. is a short and easy hike that leads to a fresh water lake. This hike enables individuals to participate in exploring a trail and hiking up an easy to moderate hike in the forest. As the hike continues, it eventually leads to a beautiful lake that is open for swimming. For individuals who do not enjoy hiking in general, this hike may be enjoyable because at the end there is an opportunity to swim, which is another great activity to do outdoors to boost physical and mental health. Also, in the warmer summer months, this hike is great because the lake provides an opportunity to cool off once it is complete. In addition, it is a great spot to hangout at for the day and to participate in a social hangout in addition to getting physical exercise, which is great for an individuals mental health.

In addition to Lindeman Lake, there are several other hikes that can promote hiking activities that also lead to a lake or a swimming opportunity. When hikes are also associated with the activity of swimming, individuals may not even realize that they are getting hiking benefits in the process of reaching the lake. Some examples of other hikes like Lindeman Lake are Cascade Falls in Chilliwack, Garibaldi Lake in Whistler, Thetis Lake in Victoria and many more I have yet to explore!

Here is a link to a description of Lindeman Lake.

https://www.outdoorvancouver.ca/lindeman-lake-hike-chilliwack/