5 Lessons the Mountains Taught Me About Strength šļø
- Dominika Jackson
- May 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 3
The mountains have always been more than just beautiful landscapes to meātheyāve been a lifelong passion and some of my greatest teachers. Theyāve helped build my resilience, guided self-discovery, and deepened my inner strength. Here are five profound lessons Iāve learned from the peaks and trails:
1. Simple Moments Are the Most Powerful
I was wild camping in the Brecon Beacons, on top of Fan y Big. I was completely alone (except for some noisy sheep š), surrounded by nature, calmness, and a beautiful sunset. I danced on the summit like nobody was watching (because nobody was), I sang, and felt an overwhelming sense of freedom and happiness. In that moment, I realised again: little things are the big things.
It's in these simple, yet powerful moments that we reconnect with our true selves. Nature is the best therapyāit helps us find ourselves, embrace authenticity, and discover inner peace and true happiness. Hiking has countless mental health benefits.

Why do we chase happiness in faraway places when itās so often hidden in simple, quiet moments?
2. The Mindās Power Surpasses Physical Limits
During a trek in Nepal with my husband, we both battled chest infectionsāfirst me, then himāwhile hiking the Annapurna Circuit. At one point, I was so unwell that my husband called a local doctor and contacted our insurance company about getting a helicopter. Of course, I refused and pushed on. Then he got sick, too. Despite fevers, coughs, and heavy backpacks, we carried on.
We eventually reached Thorang La at 5,416 meters, tired but proud. All becauseāeven when our bodies were ready to give upāour determination, inner strength and the mindās incredible capacity pushed us forward.
Mountains test our limits, but they also reveal what weāre made of, reveal our inner strength.

Overcoming challenges in nature teaches you to overcome challenges in life, building mental strength and resilience through hiking.
3. Disconnecting to Truly Reconnect ā The Benefits of Unplugging Outdoors
In the stillness of the mountains, far from daily distractions, I always find clarity. Questions that once overwhelmed me have become easier to answer. Nature offers a sanctuary for reflection. By unplugging, we make space to listen to our inner voice and realign with our values. Thatās where peace lives.
In a world dominated by social media, weāre constantly bombarded with opinions, comparisons, and noise that drain our energy and leave us feeling overwhelmed and lost. Studies show that excessive social media use is linked to depression, anxiety, stress, sadness, and isolation.1,2 Nature offers a digital detoxāa much-needed reset.
The calm of trees, the majesty of mountain peaks, the sound of wind and water, and the absence of screens allow the mind to slow down, reset, and reconnect with what matters most, reconnect with yourself.
4. Building Strength Inside and Out
Regular hikes are great for both your body and your spirit. Each ascent challenges me physically, while each summit rewards me mentally. Hiking is a full-body workout that supports cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and promotes overall physical wellbeing. But the benefits go far beyond fitness.
Spending time in nature can improve health in powerful waysāthrough exposure to natural elements, physical activity, emotional restoration, and even meaningful social connections. Some benefits are immediate, like lower blood pressure, reduced stress, improved immune function, and clearer focus. Others build over timeāsuch as weight loss, decreased depression, and a greater sense of overall wellness.3

I call hiking a holistic workout. It strengthens the body, sharpens the mind, and nurtures the soul.
5. Natureās Impact on Wellbeing: The Ultimate Healer
Every trail and every peak offers a therapeutic experience. And each hike is different, even if you return to the same path. Engaging with nature reduces stress, forces you to pause, lifts your mood, and promotes overall health. Itās a remedy thatās both powerful and accessible.
In a study with over 500 participants, researchers compared 15-minute walks in forest (test) and city (control) settings. The forest walks significantly reduced negative moods like anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and increased energy levels. In contrast, city walks had far less effect. Interestingly, people with higher anxiety experienced the greatest mood improvement from walking in nature.4
I relate to this deeply. As a clinical nutritionist working a 9ā5 office job, I go into the office once or twice a week. I always try to take a walk on my lunch breakābut surrounded by buildings and various businesses, I donāt notice the same change in my mood or energy. Itās nothing like walking in nature. Iām amazed by people who run through the noisy city centreāI find it completely draining! Nature walks, on the other hand, leave me feeling recharged.

Natureās impact on wellbeing is realāand powerful.
The mountains have taught me invaluable lessons about strength, resilience, and self-awareness. Each hike reinforces the truth that real strength is multifacetedācombining physical endurance, mental focus, and emotional balance.
References:
Zsila, Ć., & Reyes, M. E. S. (2023). Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health. BMC Psychology, 11(1), 1ā2. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40359-023-01243-X/METRICS1
Ulvi, O., Karamehic-Muratovic, A., Baghbanzadeh, M., Bashir, A., Smith, J., & Haque, U. (2022). Social Media Use and Mental Health: A Global Analysis. Epidemiologia, 3(1), 11ā25. https://doi.org/10.3390/EPIDEMIOLOGIA3010002/S1
Mitten, D., Overholt, J. R., Haynes, F. I., DāAmore, C. C., & Ady, J. C. (2016). Hiking: A Low-Cost, Accessible Intervention to Promote Health Benefits. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(4), 302. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827616658229
Song, C., Ikei, H., Park, B. J., Lee, J., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2018). Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, Vol. 15, Page 2804, 15(12), 2804. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH15122804
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