There aren’t many ways to enjoy exercise these days. Who has the space to move freely? The quiet to focus on your health? Where is that place to run, to take a walk, or get your hands dirty? The gym isn’t a motivational place for everyone. There’s little feeling of success walking on a treadmill for an hour, as opposed to walking an hour in nature. But not everyone is lucky enough to live by nature. Big cities don’t always allow people the quiet they need to focus or the space they need to exercise, so the only other option is the gym. And when those are your options, you don’t always feel excited to exercise. But heart health and basic muscle production requires a body that is put to use once in a while. This is why Dude ranches are such a good option for people looking for a new way to be healthy. The main point of a ranch visit is to enjoy yourself, but some may not realize why they are enjoying themselves so much. A person gets to experience freedom of walking where they please, having hearty meals, and getting to use their hands. A person may even find his or herself learning how to ride horseback. A body can respond better to having a purpose. We were hunters and gatherers much longer than we have been businesswomen and men. In other words, our bodies still want to move, and jump and be useful. And while you think you’re giving your mind a workout by making baskets with your hands or learning how to ride a horse, your body feels useful again. The symmetry between body and mind is restored when both get to be used. This kind of stimulation is what makes a person happy as well as health.

The problem is, not many people think of going to a ranch when they start feeling the weight of the world upon their shoulders. Yet they are everywhere if you just open your eyes. Montana dude ranches, for example, are some of the best around. A ranch is a place that can excite people of all ages, and make a person want to live a healthier life.