Did you know there are over 50 million active hikers in the United States?
It’s safe to say that the number of hikers will most likely only be going up in the next few years as hiking gains more popularity. That’s why it’s interesting to know some of the health benefits hikers experience from taking part in this activity.
If you are wondering about the health benefits of hiking, this short and simple guide is for you.
1. It’s Good for Your Heart
It’s recommended that people who are at a healthy weight get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days per week.
Hiking is an easy way to get this amount of exercise in a day. In fact, hiking is one of the best cardiovascular exercises you can do. It’s low impact and aerobic, which means it gets your heart rate up while still allowing your body to recover in between efforts.
There are plenty of hiking benefits, such as reducing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. You’ll increase your endurance, lower your resting heart rate and improve your cholesterol levels by hiking regularly.
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2. It Relieves Stress and Anxiety
Hiking can give you a break from everyday stresses such as work or family issues and help you relax by getting away from it all for a bit.
Choose a hiking destination that will clear your mind while you get some fresh air and enjoy the quiet. It will also allow you to focus on something other than your problems and feel accomplished when you reach the end of a trail. It helps you get in touch with nature and makes you feel more connected to the world around you.
3. It Improves Sleep Quality
Spending time outside can improve your sleep quality. This is because natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms, which control our sleep patterns.
The more time you spend outside, the better your sleep quality will be. This can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.
The sun’s rays can also increase levels of serotonin while decreasing melatonin levels. This can help prevent insomnia and improve sleep quality. Hiking also helps you relax and destress, which is another reason it’s good for your sleep.
4. It Helps You Stay Active and Healthy
As we age, it’s important to stay physically active. This can help reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
Hiking is a low-impact exercise that allows you to enjoy the outdoors while getting some exercise at the same time. It also increases your stamina and strengthens your muscles.
Hiking is a great way to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. It can help you sleep better at night, improve your mood and outlook on life, and keep you from getting sick.
5. It Increases Lung Capacity
When you hike uphill or uphill for long periods, you breathe more deeply than usual. This deep breathing exercises the lungs and helps increase lung capacity.
The more you exercise your lungs, the more oxygen they can hold. This is important because it means that when you’re hiking or doing any other physical activity, your body doesn’t have to work as hard to get enough oxygen into your bloodstream.
This means that you can hike faster and longer than you would if you didn’t regularly exercise your lungs.
6. It Helps Lower Blood Pressure
When you hike uphill or uphill for long periods, your heart rate increases, and your muscles burn. This is because when you breathe more deeply, your body needs more oxygen to move through the air and get enough into your bloodstream.
There’s a lot of research that shows that deep breathing can lower your blood pressure. This is important because it means that you’re less likely to experience heart problems or strokes if you regularly hike.
7. It Boosts Your Immune System
Hiking is one of the best ways to get a good workout without doing something strenuous or dangerous. By hiking, you’re helping your body stay active and healthy.
The more often you go hiking, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to fight off colds and other illnesses. Hiking also helps boost your immune system by getting fresh air and sunlight into your body.
The benefits of hiking are many and wide-ranging, making this a significant activity for anyone who wants to stay healthy.
8. It Improves Your Posture
Hiking is one of the best ways to improve your posture, which can help reduce back pain.
When you hike, your body is moving in a way that forces you to stand up straight. This helps reduce the strain on your back muscles, which can help reduce pain over time.
Hikers often have better posture than people who don’t hike because they’re constantly working on keeping their balance while walking on uneven terrain.
Hiking can also help improve your balance and coordination, which are two other aspects of posture.
When you hike, you’re constantly working on staying balanced as well as moving forward. This strengthens the muscles in your legs, arms, and core, which helps improve your posture by making these muscles stronger and more flexible.
These Are the Health Benefits of Hiking That Will Improve Your Life
By regularly getting some form of physical activity, you’ll increase your odds of living a healthier and longer life.
That’s easier said than done for those of us with busy lives, but the health benefits of hiking make it worthy of a spot at the top of the list. Add it to your weekly schedule, and you may just find that you have more energy, a clearer mind, and even some better relationships.
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