"When you’re out on the trail, you’re not just moving your body—you’re giving your mind a much-needed break," he says. The tranquility of the wilderness allows you to disconnect from daily stressors and reconnect with yourself. Coach Maxwell Alexander, a leading voice in men’s fitness and wellness, shares how hitting the trails can be a game-changer for both physical and mental vitality. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Sign up for HEALTHBeat and receive trusted health information delivered right to your inbox. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Additionally, stress can impact your mood, potentially leading to anxiety and depression, both of which can reduce your interest in sex. If you have sleep apnea or are concerned you may have symptoms of this condition, talk with your doctor about treatment options. In general, a normal total testosterone level is 300 ng/dL or higher. If you have any of these symptoms, ask your doctor if it might be related to low testosterone. She has served as a health editor at Livestrong.com and currently works as a freelance content strategist for health brands including Peloton, Everyday Health, and Verywell Health. She stays active through yoga and gardening, and loves to cook and be outdoors. She has been featured on the Physician to Physician Plant-Based Nutrition podcast and given many presentations on lifestyle interventions in endocrine disorders. Food sources high in vitamin D include salmon and other fatty fish or fortified milk and cereal products. Getting at least 15 minutes of direct sunshine each day can also keep vitamin D levels managed. However, some studies have found that despite claims of such supplements boosting testosterone, only a small percentage actually do. The researchers suggest the stress response in the male study participants resulted in aggression, emotional inhibition, and rumination, and this could explain the differences in the sexes. Stress elevates the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for managing a variety of processes, including immune response and metabolism. Long-term and chronic stress is dangerous and can lead to many issues in the body. Testosterone peaks with sunlight exposure, and mood aligns with circadian rhythm. Nature provides resistance, and your body answers with strength. Hiking uneven terrain, climbing rocks, braving the elements — these aren’t just physical workouts, they’re endocrine activators. Polluted air, synthetic materials, plastics, and city noise all contribute to estrogenic stress. A walk through the forest isn’t just relaxing — it activates testosterone, sharpens intuition, and lowers reactive emotions. Your brain chemistry, hormonal cycles, and physical instincts were designed around survival in wild environments.
