Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities. Many people take up hiking as a hobby, and many also consider it a healthy physical activity. Interestingly, this activity not only has benefits for physical health but also for mental health.

Physical Health Benefits of Hiking

Hiking is the activity of walking through nature such as mountains, forests, or other outdoors. When hiking, you will be walking long distances and sometimes uphill. The intensity of the activity depends on the difficulty of the terrain, weather, ambient temperature, and so on. This activity is considered a physical activity that can benefit muscle and bone strength and body health.

According to Verywell Fit, hiking has several physical health benefits, such as:

Improves cardiovascular health

When hiking, you have to keep walking and sometimes uphill on difficult terrain. This condition will make the heart pump blood harder and bring the heart rate to a medium to high-intensity zone. This will improve your cardiovascular health when compared to regular walking.

Research has shown that an increase in heart rate from 70-80 percent of your estimated maximum heart rate can improve overall cardiovascular health. By hiking, you can not only improve your heart health but also improve blood circulation to the brain which can be beneficial for brain health.

Burns calories

Compared to walking on flat ground, walking uphill requires more effort and muscle work, resulting in greater calorie burn. By hiking, you can burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight. Moreover, hiking can also help reduce stress hormones such as cortisol which can play a role in weight gain.

Improves balance and coordination

While hiking, you will encounter uneven terrain, steep inclines, winding paths, and other obstacles such as rocks and other difficult terrain. Dealing with such terrain requires good balance and body coordination. The more often you hike and go through difficult terrain, the better your muscle and bone strength, balance,e and coordination will be.

Mental Health Benefits of Hiking

Aside from its physical health benefits, hiking also has several mental health benefits. Apart from releasing happy hormones, hiking is also an opportunity for you to enjoy the natural scenery and breathe in the fresh air that provides serenity. 

Here are some of the benefits of hiking for mental health:

Reduces stress and anxiety

According to the International Journal of Psychophysiology, walking or hiking in nature can reduce stress and anxiety while improving your psychological health when compared to indoor exercise. Exercising in nature can also boost self-confidence, improve mood, and provide a sense of happiness.

Being physically active in nature also helps to improve your brain's ability to focus. Another mental health benefit of hiking is that it helps you become calmer, less prone to panic, and gives you a positive mood.

Supports a positive aging process

A Canadian study revealed that hiking can help older people age more positively. As they age, they can have a positive sense of themselves. Connecting with others and doing enjoyable activities helps to eliminate loneliness which can lead to a decline in mental health.

Hiking is an activity that is beneficial for both physical and mental health. Before hiking, make sure you and your hiking partner are in good health, physically and mentally prepared, have enough supplies, and are wearing proper hiking gear.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more tips and tricks for health, first aid, and other home remedies? Click Here!