5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Hike
- Into the Wild
- Jan 18, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 25, 2021
Hiking has been a big part of my life for many years now. To me, it is my escape, where I can get lost in a forest for hours and feel completely refreshed.
I usually start my hiking season early in the year, often in January. Yes, there is snow on the ground in the higher elevations, but many of the hikes are open year-round. I find that winter is the best time of year for hiking because it is far less busy and it looks like a winter wonderland (which makes for fantastic photos).
Especially during this pandemic, we found that we thrived in nature. Being in nature promotes this feeling of connection. Connection to the earth or those around you. It is very peaceful and quiet and one of the only times that I can still my brain and forget about life. There is also something uniquely serene about it.
These are a few reasons why I hike, and why you should too:
To Get Exercise
Not only is hiking fun; some of the most interesting adventures I have been on is while wandering along a trail, but hiking is also a full body workout. It is a very practical and holistic form of exercise. A variety of muscles are used when hiking. Of course, all the leg muscles are needed to power you through the trail, but also the stabilizer muscles for balance and stability. The upper body will naturally be worked as you are clambering over uneven surfaces or over rocks and tree roots.
Don’t overlook all the health benefits that exercise has. Research shows that hiking can be a powerful cardio workout which can be beneficial to:
Lower your risk for heart disease;
Improve blood pressure;
Help control your weight;
Boost your mood.
I don’t know about you, but hiking is certainly a lot more entertaining than spending hours on a treadmill. This is the basis of why I got into hiking. It was merely because I wanted to add another element to my weekly workouts.
To Improve Sleep Quality
This is one of the best benefits of regular hikes and there are a few reasons why your sleep quality improves:
You are getting exercise;
You are unplugging;
You are getting fresh air.
Exercise is already known to improve your sleep quality and I touched on the benefits of it above. When you are unplugged (or less focused on technology) you are removing the stimuli that has built up during the day. The blue light emitted by our devices disrupts the circadian rhythm but spending a few hours without technology and in nature can reverse this affect. This is one of those benefits that you don’t need to do a challenging hike to reap. A simple, leisurely stroll through a park or forest is all that is required.
To Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Hiking is a form of therapy to me. Usually, we don’t have any cell reception, so we are unable to use our phones for anything other than pictures. It is fantastic. It is amazing to have an excuse to unplug once a week (and we usually try to get out every week or two). Hiking reduces your cortisol (the stress hormone) levels which is the reason why it can be beneficial to your mental health. This is especially important with our busy schedules of 9 to 5’s, family and household responsibilities and maintaining social lives. I find that it is critically important for my mental health.
A and I think of these hikes as a perfect time for a date. We pack a lunch, and we sit down and enjoy the view. It is a time that we can spend together with little interruption and if you’re like us, you will always find the lesser-known hikes. To me, it’s peaceful. It is very easy to take in the quiet that nature provides when there is no one around. I make an effort to be present in the moment (even when my lungs feel like they are ready to explode) and enjoy the experience.
Just a side note: If you are hiking in an area that is likely to have reduced cell service or little traffic, make sure you let someone know where you are going. We always let family know that we are planning to do a hike, the trail we will be hiking and how long we are anticipating it will take. We then touch base with them once we are back at the car to let them know that we have returned safely.
To Improve Cognitive Function
Did you know that hiking can improve your cognitive function? Enjoying the wildlife and scenery can quiet the mind and without the information overload our brains are faced with on a daily basis, we actually become more creative. Therefore, if you have a problem to solve or need creative inspiration, go for a hike!
There is something to be said about escaping to nature to enjoy the wildlife & scenery. Being around wildlife always reminds me to take a deep breath and slow down. We live in a world where everything happens at a very fast pace, it’s important to take a moment to ‘smell the roses’ (see what I did there??).
For the Sense of Accomplishment
Don’t get me wrong, there are sometimes I just want a nice easy stroll through the woods. But then there are the times when we want the challenge. This is ultimately what led us to decide to hike Mt. Fuji… mostly to see if we were capable. Let me tell you that it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but also one of the most rewarding. There is no better feeling when you are standing on that lookout or the top of a mountain and realize that no one else got you there but you. As mentioned previously, we like to pack a lunch and relax for a few minutes before venturing back down. We want to enjoy the fruits of our labour if you will. There is no better feeling than challenging yourself and then sitting back and realizing that no one else did this but me.
All that being said; hiking can be a great addition to your wellness regime. This list was by no way exhaustive but it is filed with some of the benefits that I have come to realize with regular hikes. It can be dirty and filled with mosquitos but those are small prices to pay. It can be a great bonding experience with your friends (maybe wait until after the pandemic) or partner and even your dog! I have taken my dog on plenty of hikes with me and it is just as good for him as me. It breaks the monotony of his routine and he get’s to reap the benefits of exercise as well. I do caution to research whether the trail is appropriate for dogs, not all trails are dog friendly.
Happy Hiking!
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