Honestly, there are times when I feel suffocated in crowded places I visit to relax.

In most major cities in the U.S., every park is bustling with people, and seeing lines to take photos can make you question whether this is relaxation or work.

So, at some point, I started intentionally seeking out mountains or lakes with few people, or nature I barely know the name of.

When I actually go, I immediately understand why it's good. Today, I'll summarize five benefits of wandering through such quiet nature.

The first benefit is that thoughts suddenly become honest.

In the city, I tend to pretend to be fine, to be okay, to be living well. But when I sit alone in the mountains or by the lake, those masks come off. Suddenly, thoughts about what I'm doing with my life, why I'm so busy, and whether this is right come up without warning. That moment is the peak of reality check. Especially when I'm cooking instant noodles or sipping coffee from a thermos in the quietest spot in the world, it's very natural to wonder what life is all about.

The second benefit is that I become less swayed by others.

When I'm in a crowded place, comparisons naturally start. Why is that person living like that? Why am I like this? My mood fluctuates for no reason. But when I sit in nature with no one around, the comparison disappears. All that's left is me. From that point on, my mind strangely stabilizes.

The third benefit is that emotions are sorted out excessively.

In the city, I get annoyed over trivial matters, and my mood swings with a single message. But when I sit alone in the forest or by the lake, everything feels trivial. Watching trees sway in the wind, water flow by, and clouds pass makes human worries seem much smaller than I thought.

The fourth benefit is that it costs almost nothing.

There are no entrance fees, no coffee shops, and no shopping. Just a pack of noodles and a cup of coffee can wrap up the day. Yet strangely, that day feels fulfilling.

The fifth benefit is that the pace of life gets back in sync.

In the city, everything is too fast. Messages come quickly, decisions are made quickly, and emotions are consumed quickly. But in nature, no one rushes you. When the sun sets, it gets dark, when I'm hungry, I eat, and when I'm sleepy, I lie down. In that simple rhythm, I feel like this is how people were meant to live.

Seeking out nature with fewer people is more of a maintenance than a trip. When life gets too noisy, cooking a pack of noodles and having a cup of coffee in a quiet place strangely brings everything back to its place.

I believe that the reality check that comes at that moment honestly reveals life's problems most accurately.