There’s something hard to explain about getting out into nature and enjoying the world around you. We are all from the earth and have an instinctive desire to reconnect with nature, even if we’ve been out of touch with it for a while.
For some people, that desire may ring loud and clear, but for others, it may take some effort to get out there and remember that we are all a part of nature and Mother Earth. Hiking can be an excellent way for you to do that, and it’s good for your mind, body, and spirit. There are so many great benefits to hiking, but let’s look at some of the most well-known ways it is good for you.
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Here are six ways hiking is good for you:
1 – It helps reduce anxiety
Hiking can help you improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels and reduce stress. Hiking requires you to stay present of mind and tuned in to the world around you, and this means your brain doesn’t have the time or space to fill with worrying about all kinds of other things. This is one way that it can help you reduce anxiety. Another is that it’s soothing and comforting for many people to be in nature and away from the hustle and bustle of busy daily life.
2 – It’s good for your heart
Hiking is also really good for your heart. As mentioned above, it helps to improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, so it’s safe to say everyone can do with a bit more heart healthy. Exercise achieved through hiking can help lower blood cholesterol levels while also increasing the good ones. It also improves blood circulation and can help improve overall heart function.
3 – It teaches survival skills
Even simple hiking trails require you to pay attention to the world around you. There may be rocks and cliffs or holes and other terrain dangers. There is also wildlife and weather, and other potential hazards. It would be best if you were prepared for anything when hiking, and in general, these are excellent skills for a person to have.
4 – It helps you be more mindful
As mentioned in the section on anxiety, hiking makes you more mindful. You can shut off many of your worries or constant thoughts about things in your life and relax with nature around you.
5 – It boosts bone density
Because hiking is a weight-bearing exercise, it also helps increase your bone density. Everyone can benefit from this, especially women, anyone as they age, or people at greater risk of osteoporosis. You don’t have to be fast or follow dangerous trails; all you need to do is walk.
6 – It can help control weight
And another way hiking is good for you is to help you manage your weight or maintain a healthy weight. It’s a great cardio exercise, and one mile of hiking burns, on average, about 500 calories. That’s a pretty good calorie burn, but it’s also something you can do while enjoying nature and the scenery around you so that you are not as focused on the idea of exercising.
Did you know about these six ways that hiking is good for you? Even if you already know, it’s a great reminder of how valuable and healthy this activity can be. Remember, you don’t have to do strenuous hikes or complicated trails to get all these benefits from hiking. You can take a leisurely walk on an easy route, and it will still be just as good for you.
