benefits

During winter, it is always important to plan ahead what your activities will be next spring and even for summer. There are a variety of them that you can do whether they involve family and friends or simply you all by yourself. Hiking is one of those activities that is not only fun and fulfilling but has many benefits too – but what exactly are those benefits?

Physical Health

If you are looking for something that will make or maintain your fitness, hiking is a good choice of activity. Hiking is categorized as an aerobic exercise or cardio workout. Because of this, it is beneficial for you if you are looking for an activity that helps with losing weight. Not only that, because it is a cardio workout, it has benefits for maintaining our heart healthy and decreasing cholesterol. It can reduce the risk of heart diseases and stroke. It is also good for lowering your blood pressure and also the risk of type 2 diabetes. It will also improve bone health, which reduces risk for bone disease such as osteoporosis, and strengthening our muscles. It will build strength to glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and also muscles in your hips and legs. Therefore it will strengthen your core and improve your balance. It is also said to reduce risk for cancer at lungs, breast, colon, and endometrial. 

Mental Health

Not only hiking is good for you physically, but it is also beneficial to our mental health. If you are stressed and tired with your work or any other afflictions in your life, hiking will be a great way to destress. It is said that hiking helps with anxiety and tension for it clears our mind. It is also helpful for those who have depression for it boosts our mood. How will it not be? Hiking involves being with nature and it just brings peace to your mind. Studies say that being with nature eases our stress and negative emotions. It will improve on how we will see things because of nature’s simplicity in opposite to the complex world in cities. It is not only for mood and emotions though but also for boosting your brain. It is said when you spend time with nature, you will be more creative even with the problem-solving tasks. Add to that, spending time with your friends and family will surely improve your mood.

Other Benefits

As said before, hiking is a great time to spend time with your friends and family, so it will be helpful for our social lives. It is only not that, you can also join some hiking club from your community and you will be able to meet new people with this. If you have kids, there are also some trails easy enough for them and not only you will be able to bond with them, they will also improve their health and develop confidence. It is also a great way to teach kids, and even yourself, about the beauty of nature. It is a great break for all the technology and gadgets that at times causes us fatigue and focus on something that matters more.