It’s curious how well-versed we are in the physical benefits of hiking. The activity can:
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Reduces the risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure. Regular hiking has shown results to reduce high blood pressure and keeps it under control
- Reduce the incidence of diabetes.
- Helps one lose weight. An adult, on average, burns 200 to 250 calories per hour hiking at a rate of 4 kilometres per hour. If one can pace it to almost double i.e. 6.5 kms per hour it will burn double the calories. Isn’t that amazing? Obviously start slow and then aim for pace.
These physical benefits alone are good enough reasons for anyone to hike around 6-8 kilometers a day
But then consider that hiking may have an even more profound impact on your mental well-being. Why would you ever come off the trail? Among those mental and emotional benefits:
Reduces anxiety
The American Hiking Society says your body produces adrenaline to cope with danger, real or perceived. If the adrenaline isn’t released, it accumulates, causing muscle tension and anxiety. Hiking is an accessible way of releasing that adrenaline. (Much more accessible than, say, to rock climbing or running an ultra marathon). Hiking also releases endorphins, which can improve mood.
Reduces the tendency to ruminate
Along similar lines, a 2015 study at Stanford University found that people who walked in a natural setting for 90 minutes were less likely to dwell on negative thoughts about themselves. (FYI, a group that walked 90 minutes in an urban setting still had negative thoughts.) Its important that be close with nature. Read one of our blogs Why love nature that explains on impact on nature on human being.
Increases creativity
Hiking involves walking and once can choose easy hikes, but atleast that allows them to be outdoors, close to nature in the wilderness that changes log of things. Once more study at Stanford University reveals that walking improves creativity. So all those creative people, be it writer, artist, musician, one who creates new things in any walks of life Hiking and walking helps to boost your creativity and create new masterpieces.
Reduces symptoms of ADHD.
In a study examining the impact of “green” activities on kids diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, “green outdoor activities reduced symptoms significantly more than did activities conducted in other settings.” The results were consistent along demographic lines.
Prevents dementia and cognitive impairment
Another study found that exercise can prevent or slow dementia. One of the authors of the study, Dr. Joyce Gomes-Osman, told Healthline, “It’s direct evidence that exercise can turn back the clock in the brain.”
Slowdown the loss of gray matter.
After 40, we begin to lose brain matter–especially gray matter, which helps us process information. But exercise “can grow and promote gray matter retention and thickness in important regions of the brain,” says Dr. Sarah C. McEwen.
While any type of exercise might seem to help with these conditions, hiking has an added benefit. Outdoors, on the trail, you’re in an environment that McEwen says forces you “to use spatial navigation, your memory, and your attention” with every step.
In addition to being so good for you, we should mention one other thing about hiking: It’s fun
Curious as to where to hike
- Here you can find the best hiking trails in Toronto
- Explore the forest and enjoy 6 conservation areas with ample of trails a little north in Vaughan, Ontario
