7 . There is something magical about hiking. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to the trails, hiking offers lots of benefits for mind, body and soul.     1    

Boost physical fitness.    2     Although other forms of exercise are great for your health, hiking has benefits that can’t be replaced by a bike. Hiking builds muscle strength. So, not only will you enjoy the great outdoors, you will also improve your health.

Improve mental well-being. Hiking has a profound impact on your mental well-being, offering a much needed break from the stresses of daily life.    3    

In addition to the fun and enjoyment you can experience, there are other real benefits you can start to observe.

    4     Hiking provides a wonderful opportunity for strengthening social connections and training a sense of community. Whether you go on a hike with friends or join a hiking group, the shared experiences can be highly beneficial and can create wonderful shared memories. Hiking is hard, but it maintains your motivation. So grab a friend or join a local hiking group, and experience the joy of connecting with others while exploring nature.

Improve cognitive (认知的) function. An amazing added benefit to hiking is improved cognitive function. Engaging in physical activity while being surrounded by nature stimulates the brain, leading it to improve focus, creativity and problem-solving skills. Spending time in nature can improve cognitive function and attention span.    5     A drop in spending time in nature and in physical activity can possibly cause a cognitive decline. Who knew that the sensory experiences that you encounter during hiking could help you gain clarity and peace of mind?

In recent years, shared vegetable plots (地块) have been appearing in Shanghai’s suburban districts as more white-collar workers turn to farming to relax and escape the pressures of city life.

Among these individuals     1    (be) Yang Rui, who, on weekends, drives his family from their home in downtown to the All-Happy City,     2     shared ecological farm in Minhang, where he has rented a 20-square-meter vegetable plot for 1,600 yuan per year. The family tends carrots, lettuce and other vegetables they have planted. When they aren’t around during the week,     3    (professional) take over the work and perform whatever chores     4    (need).

This farm has about 200 members, some of     5     even raise chickens and ducks that wander in the fields.

    6    (found) by Chen Yougui in October, the shared farm has an area of 13.33 hectares     7     comes with shared vegetable plots and leisure areas. According to Chen, the monitoring system     8    (cover) the entire farmland allows members to view their vegetables and fields remotely through their phones. The farm also uses technology to ensure that the chickens and ducks raised     9     customers don’t go missing or end up in someone else’s plot — each animal comes with its own QR code.

Chen notes that many of his customers are parents who rent plots     10    (primary) to teach their kids about science and nature and how farming works.