Hiking is a wonderful activity with many benefits. It seems to have been overlooked for helping with depression and mental health. It boosts your mood and research shows that hiking has a positive impact on combating the symptoms of stress and anxiety, says Gregory A. Miller, PhD, president of the American Hiking Society.
“Being in nature is ingrained in our DNA, and we sometimes forget that.”
Stress isn’t ever going to go away, so it is important to have a way to cope with it,” said Sara Warber, associate professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School Warber. “Walking in nature is a coping mechanism – the benefits aren’t just physical.”
Working out in the outdoors like hiking helps give you that extra boost of self-esteem and you’ll be soaking up the sun getting vitamin D (always wear sunscreen). You can hike to help depressive symptoms, which may be just as good as taking an antidepressant. Your mind will be clearer.
Plus, hiking supercharges creativity for two hours afterwards. Next time you need some inspiration go for a hike on a trail or a jog.
Hiking can be a more interesting exercise due to difference in trails, terrain, and the seasons. This will get and keep you motivated for exercise.
You can hike alone or in groups. Groups prove to be an extra stress reliever, as they can be entertaining. If you’re just one of those people who are intimidated at gyms or afraid that people are looking at you there, hiking is “your ticket”.
Walking in the forest only nature is looking at you… where there are less people and you’re communicating with nature you can be by your lonesome.
Exercise in general can diminish insomnia also leading to better mental health. Hiking increases your happiness because you are one with nature and are getting in sync with the rhythms of nature. Achieving a hike up a big hill or mountain can seem more definite than a workout at the gym.
Since there are many levels of trails to take you can increase your fitness level easily by taking more and more demanding paths. Hiking up hill equals the amount of calories used in jogging hence an even greater workout and more weight lost and better insulin resistance.
This form of exercise puts pressure on your bones and decreases the chances of getting osteoporosis. Because hiking is a cardiovascular exercise it reduces the chance for heart disease. For a muscular physique hike on rough terrain such as cross-country hiking.
Hiking clears and eases your mind, builds a strong body, relieves depression and boosts creativity. What more could you want? You can find hiking gear at http://www.backpackingtentsetc.com.
