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13 Immense Benefits Of Hiking You Might Not Know Before
The benefits of hiking are tremendous, both on the body and the mind. However, many people think hiking is something you do when you’re already fit. Another common misconception is that hiking is niche and requires meticulous planning.
Well, while it does require some sort of planning, hiking is, in fact, quite accessible for many age groups, physical levels, and personal preferences.
There are plenty of trails available for you to choose from. In England alone, there are more than 20 day hikes that take you to some of the country’s most exquisite sceneries. We bet there are many more whenever you’re reading this from, too!
They range from easy to difficult and come in a diverse variety of beautiful terrains. Planning for hiking is relatively easy as there is plenty of help available online. Hiking is just as accessible as any other form of exercise.
In this article, we will walk with you through the wonderful benefits of hiking and, hopefully, inspire you to take up this amazing green exercise!
Hiking is more than just a walk in the woods.
5 Physical Health Benefits Of Hiking
Whether you’re ascending mountain peaks, following clear streams, or walking down gentle rolling hills, the benefits of hiking on your body are endless.
1. Improve Cardiovascular Health
Muscles that are underused get weaker, including the heart. Any physical activity that gets your heart rate up can strengthen the muscles around your heart. Hiking is one of those activities.
When your heart is beating faster, your blood flow also increases. This also helps oxygen-rich blood to be delivered to your tissues and organs. So, your whole cardiovascular system is working together and improving.
2. Promote Muscles Toning
Hiking tones your body because it engages multiple muscle groups, especially in the lower body. When you walk uphill or downhill, you engage your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. This can slim down your legs and train them to be stronger.
That tightening and squeezing of your stomach, your back and butt when you try to keep yourself balanced when hiking, yes, it’s your core engagement, which is very much needed in sculpting your body.
3. Aid In Weight Loss Without The Stress
According to Healthline, you can burn from 300 to even 1,000 calories per hour depending on your speed and trail grade.
Hiking is a low-impact form of exercises. Your heart rate is increased slowly, and it’s not so challenging on your joints. This makes it a perfect weight loss exercise for even beginners and the elders.
Feel your muscles tightening up with every step you hike. Photo by C Malambo on Adobe Stock.
Since hiking is not sticking to a strict routine with certain steps and reps, it’s also relatively to be done long-term without boredom. Not to mention you can change the scenery whenever you feel like it.
If coupled with positive dietary changes, hiking can help lower cholesterol intake, eventually making losing weight easier.
And to some, hiking in nature is less stressful than working out in the gym. Some people may not feel comfortable working out in front of others; some may not do well where they feel like their actions are constantly perceived.
4. Better Balance And Coordination Skills
A trail often takes you through a diversity of landscapes. For example, the beautiful Box Hill trail in Surrey has it all - flat trails, the climbs, and raised stone steps across a river.
Hiking can give your body a wonderful opportunity to adapt to these terrains. Regular hiking can train your body to be more balanced and coordinated.
5. Get Your Vitamin D Fix
The early morning sun is a natural source of vitamin D. A quick hike outdoors can help increase this essential nutrient, which many people who work indoors nearly 24/7 often lack. Exposing yourself to the elements is also a good way to boost your immune system. But remember to put on sunscreen. You can get your vitamin D without getting sunburnt.
4 Mental Health Benefits Of Hiking
The mental benefits of hiking are equally impactful. And when you’re seeking to improve your physical health, you must not overlook the mental aspect.
6. Reduce Stress
Think of hiking as a much needed mental break. If you’re someone who has to live with the bustling beat of a busy city life most days of a week, then an immersive walk in nature - or just any open green space - is what your brain needs.
Hiking in nature is proven to lower cortisol levels and the stress hormones, thus keeping your mind fresh. When you’re on a hike, you’re exposing yourself to fresh, clean air and nature sounds. This helps break the usual patterns of polluted city noises and air.
Just kick back and relax with the nature’s sights and sounds.
7. Clear Your Mind And Get Creative
A change of scenery is what you need if you’re suffering from artist blocks, or just any form of mental restriction during work or studying. And there’s no better way to do it than taking a hike. You can take the advantage of the adventure to birdwatch, sketch, write or even study. It’s a good way to regain work-life balance.
8. Give You A Sense Of Novelty
When you hike, you may meet new people whom you can build great relationships with. Also, sometimes, you can even stumble upon a new trail or landmark.
These small but essential “discoveries” are like food for your brain. They keep you stimulated and looking forward to something, which makes your fitness journey more exciting.
9. Have Better Sleep Quality
Pent-up energy can cause restlessness at night. By exerting your energy on a great hike, you can fall asleep better. This benefit is good for both your physical body and mental health.
When you hike in nature, especially in the morning, you’re exposing yourself to natural light and air. This helps keep your circadian rhythm in check, making falling asleep and waking up easier.
CabinZero tips: To fall asleep on a flight, it’s recommended to take a short slow pace walk - 15 to 30 minutes - before.
3 Additional Life-changing Benefits Of Hiking
Besides physical and mental benefits, this activity offers more postitve impacts across other aspects of your life:
10. Engage With The Great Outdoors
There’s nothing like overcoming yourself and complete a challenging trail.
When you hike, you expose yourself to nature. In a 2014 study in Finland, researchers found that the relationship between physical activity and the outdoors, or nature space, is a positive one.
When you hike in nature, you will feel more relaxed because your brain often associates nature with leisure time like travelling. Hiking in nature will help you feel like working towards your fitness goal is less of a chore and more of a fun experience.
11. Help You Stay Motivated
Also, hiking gives you a sense of accomplishment. The feeling of reaching the peak or the main attraction of a hiking trail is like an instant reward you get for putting in the time and effort. Then you’re motivated to embark on conquering other challenges in life (and perhaps the next trail).
12. Strengthen Relationships
There's something about hitting the trails together that brings everyone closer. The feeling of conquering a tough trail as a team, the shared experience of hiking is something you will come to love and appreciate in times.
Simply helping someone through tough terrains and cheering each other on can will deepn your bonds with them (and maybe generate some new inside jokes along the way). Not to mention hiking also allow you to engage with the hiking groups and local comunities.