Why Hiking Is So Beneficial and Healthy

If you’re tired of knocking yourself out at the gym, and you’re searching for a low cost and high reward activity, look no further than hiking!

Apart from getting you closer to nature and away from the noise and pollution of the city, hiking can have several beneficial effects on your body.

You might think that hiking requires you to take on remote mountains and wild forests, but in reality you can achieve the intended effects by simply going to the closest patch of woods and walking your local trails.

So let’s take a look at all the good this activity can do you!

# Mental Health

If you need to clear your mind, head for the woods. Few activities are as mentally relaxing as a walk through nature. 

Hiking removes you from the frantic noise and pollution of everyday city life, giving you your own quiet bubble to relax. Because of the absence of people, cars and machinery, you’ll be able to enjoy the silence and take in new smells and sensations. 

A very interesting study from Stanford University has shown that this activity significantly reduces your levels of stress, anxiety and depression. You can find an easy to read version of the study right here, on Stanford’s news page.

Not only, with your levels of stress reduced you’ll be able to enjoy better and more relaxing sleep, which in turn will benefit your entire body and mental state!

# Cardiorespiratory System

Hiking is an intense physical activity and can therefore have an extremely positive impact on your circulatory and respiratory system. 

Taking a daily walk can help you reduce and maintain your body weight, relieving the stress this puts on your circulation, and increase your lung capacity through cardio exercise, allowing you to hike for longer times.

Cardio exercise will also lower your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol and, overall, strengthen your blood circulation, greatly reducing the risk of future heart disease. 

Temporarily removing yourself from the pollution of the city will also allow your lungs to breathe in some fresh air, which will also benefit your entire system!

# Muscles

Of course hiking is not the best activity if you’re looking to build biceps the size of watermelons. 

It is however ideal if you want to strengthen the muscles in your legs, lower body and back. Hiking regularly will greatly strengthen all of them, giving you better balance and stability and allowing you to hike greater distances over more challenging terrain. 

Over time, you’ll see your muscles become more toned, your posture improved and even increased strength in your joints!

Committing to any physical activity can be challenging, but few are as rewarding and empowering on both a physical and mental level as hiking. 

For Ana and I, hiking has been a source of enjoyment, a physical and mental exercise and a discovery, both personal and of the World. It is undeniable that is has brought us closer together as a couple.

Remember to start slowly, build your strength over time and most of all, enjoy the Great Outdoors!

See you on the trail and until next time this is Luca, signing off. 

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