Benefits Of Hiking: Both The Mental & Physical
Close your eyes and imagine this. You’re outside on a forest trail. Birds are chirping around you. Squirrels are running up and down trees. The wind blows past, whistling in your ear. The fresh cool breeze. The smell of the running stream trail wisps by. Sun rays beam through the clouds and hit your skin giving you a sense of warmth. If that small imagery moment made you feel more relaxed, then you should go hiking. It’s actually not what TV shows portray it as. An exhausting, tiring activity that will leave you breathless. If done right, it’s actually really fun and beneficial! The benefits of hiking not only something you feel physically, but also mentally. Many people have told their own story of how hiking has helped them. So, then how is hiking so beneficial?
What Are The Mental Benefits To Hiking?
It clears your mind
Ambient noises have been proven to help clear one’s mind. And where do most of those noises come from? Nature! The whole setting of hiking helps lower your adrenaline and can help you calm down.
You get to be with yourself and your mind. As well with the constant exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Helps induce a state of presence & peace
Most times in the day, we are not in the present. We are already on to the next part of our day before the hour is even up. Hiking helps ease your mind. You switch to having to spend your time in the presence that you are in at that moment. It’s great hobby for people who live such a fast-paced life.
It reduces stress, anxiety, & feelings of depression
It has been proven that hiking shoes to lower the affects of anxiety and depression. Having it have you only focus on what is going on in the present. By focusing on the here and now you will not be able to send your mind racing into what might happen in the future.
Helps increase feelings of happiness & contentment
Rumination, or negative thinking, can be debilitating. It starts as a thought and spreads like a cancer, affecting every area of your life. Before long, you might find yourself feeling low, alone and/or lost.
According to multiple studies, this style of thinking can play a role in mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Is Hiking Better Than Just Taking A Walk?
In a simple answer, yes! Hiking helps reduce the effects part of your brain that brings about bad moods. When you take a stroll in the city, you’re still surrounded by the honking horns and bright lights. When hiking, it is just you and nature. Breathing in that fresh air is better than the contaminated air that cars leave. Hiking helps boost the brain. As well as restoring cognitive functions in the brain.
Now you know some of the mental benefits to hiking. There are some great physical benefits as well.
What Are The Physical Benefits To Hiking?
Reduces Stress
Hiking actually increases endorphins & norepinephrine in the brain. These chemicals help the brain deal with stress more efficiently. Over time, you will find yourself less stressed than before.
The sounds of nature have proven to reduce stress. As well as becoming soothing to the ears. Most people choose to hike for the fact that the sounds bring comfort. And just being outside bring a sense of calmness to their state of being.
Helps You Sleep Better
Studies have shown that being exposed to natural light during a hike can also improve your circadian rhythm. This is the natural sleep cycle that you go through each night. Daylight helps reinforce this. Down the line this will show improvement to your sleep.
Hiking as well keeps you alert and works your brain. This can lead to more fatigue. Usually before bed we have to much pent-up energy and have a hard time falling or staying asleep. Hiking helps manage that energy, so that when it’s time to sleep it is easier to relax. So, if you struggle with any sleep issues such as insomnia, hiking can help big time.
Lowers Risk Of Heart Disease
Hiking already is a powerful cardio workout. Exercising reduces the chances for heart problems. Which makes hiking one of the best physical activities for people who want to lower their risks of heart disease. Those who did not take to a physical activity or hiking, were 2x as likely to get a coronary disease.
Helps Lower Blood Pressure
To reduce your blood pressure, do either one long or a few shorter bouts of exercise throughout the day. It’s great to have a continuous exercise session of 30 minutes or more most days of the week.
Studies have shown that 40 minutes a day lowers your blood pressure of people who deal with hypertension. Hiking as well offers cardiovascular benefits for people who are morbidly obese.
The muscle power needed to climb a road on an incline, a hill or a mountain can help you achieve a greater level of fitness. Physical activity such as hiking can lower blood pressure up to 10 points.
Improve Strength & Balance
Not only does hiking improve you on the inside, but also the outside. Hiking helps boost bone density. Which great since it is a weight bearing exercise.
It helps build strength in your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles in your hips & lower legs.
Hiking is a great exercise for strengthening your core and improves your balance. Since you are walking around on rough terrain and very uneven paths, your balance will start to improve in order to sustain the hike on the terrain.
Hiking is always a fun activity to do. It has been proven that going hiking boosts your mod and 2x as much if you’re with others. There are so many benefits to hiking. It not only is a great hobby to start. But it gives healthy changes to your body for the long run. It also doesn’t require a gym membership or spends tens of money on equipment. All you need is you and some good pair of tennis shoes, a backpack with some essential equipment and mother nature.
