Getting stressed out is inevitable. But because it's inevitable doesn't mean you have to tolerate it. Instead, you would be proactive in managing it. And an excellent way to do that is to have an outdoor activity like hiking. If you are curious how hiking can help you overcome stress, here seven benefits I acquired based on my experience:
1. It helps restore my energy
Like any other exercise, hiking can be tiring and challenging. Nonetheless, it's still an excellent way to increase your energy levels overall. It may be a physical challenge by itself, but you're developing a higher energy cap for yourself when you continue to do it. And you can use this newfound strength in your daily life. After half of your day spent hiking, you'll find that you're more energetic the rest of the day. You seem to be more awake, alert, and alive, which is always a good thing. It's undeniable that the first time you start hiking, it can be challenging. However, it's one of the things that you learn to love over time and thoroughly enjoy.
2. It rarely costs me much
You would like to go hiking because it can be as cheap as you want it to be. If you're going to go all out, you're going to spend a bit of money on hiking equipment to get the best and safest experience. However, that doesn't have to be the case all the time. There are plenty of accessible local hiking trails that aren't too tricky. You can also finish these hiking trails in a day. Often, you don't have to pay to be able to go to your local hiking trail. Some might have entrance fees, but you might also be able to avail of frequent-use discounts if you're going to do it often.
3. It makes me feel better
When you're out hiking, everything around you is a stimulus. But unlike plenty of modern-day advances and innovations, the stimulation around you won't overload your brain. They're all easy to consume, and in some cases, easy on the eyes as well. That's why they provide a sense of lightness when you're out in the middle of the wilderness. If you're ever in need of some peace and serenity while still needing some stimuli, going out in nature and hiking is the way to go. That's why, even after a particularly tough and challenging hike, you feel self-fulfilled and light within yourself. Nothing out in nature will feel overstimulating to you, so you get to relax and destress despite the physical challenges you're dealing with.
4. It elevates my mood
If you're looking for something that can uplift your mood, consider going out and hiking. Hiking is an excellent way to get away from your day-to-day life for a bit and decompress. You don't even need to go on a long-winded hiking trip to be able to get the mood-elevating effect of a solid hike. That's why it's a good idea to even do a short walk in your local area for a bit to elevate your mood.
5. It improves my mental wellness
When you're communing with nature, it feels like everything in your life isn't as complicated as it feels. That's why many veteran hikers find that going out on hikes regularly is an exercise for their wellness's physical and mental aspects. It also helps that you admire unique and fascinating natural views, which is always an excellent idea. At the very least, something catches your attention other than your computer and smartphone screen. Besides yoga and meditation, consider going on a hike to commune with nature. It also helps you disconnect from your worries for the betterment of your mental health.
6. It's a great form of exercise
If there's one reason that people like hiking, it's the fact that it's a seemingly simple activity, and yet it still is an excellent way of exercising the body. Hiking is an excellent leg workout since that's what you're going to be using most of the time while traversing a trail. If you're going through rougher terrain, it's going to engage with more aspects of your body aside from the legs. With a heavy backpack with you, you're going to exercise your lower back, obliques, and especially your core. Aside from that, it can even help develop your endurance, especially for longer hiking trips. You can even work out your upper body strength more by incorporating your hiking poles' strategic use.
7. It gives me a sense of freedom
When you're out hiking, you have no one else to rely on but yourself. At first, this idea can be intimidating. However, once you overcome this hurdle, you'll find that you have a better sense of self-assurance and confidence in your capabilities. Trusting yourself is such a freeing feeling that you would want to cherish in your life. It also gives a feeling of freedom because you get to reach places that would otherwise be unreachable aside from on foot. All of this together creates a unique and unforgettable memory for you that you're sure to remember for years to come.
From having a greater sense of freedom to improving your mental wellness, hiking can help you manage your stress. Hence, consider this activity if you want something physical, outdoorsy, and stress relieving
Written by Geraldine Mills
Geraldine Mills is a self-confessed wanderlust from Australia. She funds her adventures by working as a brand consultant and as a travel writer. She loves sharing the allure of backpacking and being one with nature https://maptia.com/geraldinewalks.