Hiking is a favorite outdoor activity for many. It is a great way to spend time in the fresh air, with loved ones and physical activity that improves both mental and physical health.
- You have control over your activity
If you are hiking alone or with friends, you do not have a strict trainer in front of you who will set the pace and determine when you need to reach your goal. Therefore, hiking is an ideal physical activity in which you choose how long you will hike, whether you want to climb to the top or not, how often you will rest along the way and finally, how often you will go to the mountains.
- Tones the whole body
Usually walking contributes to form, but when you add to that the slope you have on the mountain, the use of hiking poles to lean forward and climbing rocks with the help of ropes, this is an activity in which you will activate the whole body.
In more detail, hiking is an activity that will involve the muscles of the quadriceps, back of the thigh and gluteus. If you carry a backpack, you will additionally include the muscles of the upper body, and an active core that stabilizes you in motion, especially on heavier sections.
- Helps prevent and control diabetes
Regular hiking helps control, but even prevent diabetes, by lowering blood sugar levels. Hiking activates the muscles, and they, simplified, use glucose from the bloodstream for energy and thus lowering its level in the blood.
- Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
Regular hiking lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and thus reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and heart attack, in the most vulnerable groups. Even descending a mountain is doubly effective: in lowering blood sugar levels and improving glucose tolerance.
- Hiking as medicine
Some studies show that the health benefits of hiking far outweigh only cardiovascular health and even go so far as to help people with cancer recover.
A study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine showed that long-distance hiking can improve the antioxidant capacity that helps fight disease in cancer patients. Another study found that people with breast cancer who hiked regularly had a significantly better recovery rate than those who were less active.
- Hiking has a strong social component
Hiking almost always involves society, whether it is hiking in pairs or joining a hiking club and hiking in organized groups. Having a larger network of people who hike is motivating and encouraging, but also increases safety in the event of an accident on the mountain.
Members of mountaineering communities usually develop their mountaineering lifestyle, from buying equipment, sharing tips on routes to helping beginners.
- Increases creativity
Studies have shown that spending time in nature improves concentration and focus and raises the ability to creatively solve problems by as much as 50%. In addition, studies show that spending time in nature, without constant contact with technology, has a significant impact on improving mood, self-confidence and creativity. - Increases happiness levels and cures depression
Studies show that hiking is an excellent adjunct therapy to help people with major depression. Hiking is a way of moving that gives people prone to depression a signpost on how to lead a more active, happier and more satisfied life. - Brings closer to nature
Staying in nature, away from the chaos of everyday life, technology and urban environments, allows people to get closer to themselves and nature, which provides them with a kind of inner peace and self-satisfaction.
Therefore, if you have not been involved in hiking so far, it is high time you set off. Include hiking in your life rhythm and set aside time for woods and mountains on weekends. We guarantee you will return happy and satisfied. And you will plan where next.
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