7 Reasons Why Hiking Is Good For Your Body And Mind

type="html">Hiking is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the outdoors when the weather allows it. It's also incredibly good for you - enjoy this guest post from Valerie to learn how!

An outdoor activity that offers a myriad of benefits for the body and mind is hiking. This is the just the right type of outdoor activity that both men and women of all ages can enjoy. It is undoubtedly a recreational approach to spend time with family and friends while making sure you stay fit and de-stress from the demands at work. There are various places you can hike, but to get the best out of nature, you might want to consider hiking in a location where various outdoor activities, such as canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and hunting are also offered. Here are some reasons why you must include hiking in your list of outdoor fitness activities.

1. Hiking Helps Burn Calories

Hiking can easily help you burn a large amount of calories every hour, depending on your pace and steep. If you want to lose weight the natural way, then hiking is the best activity to engage in. You can start with easy trails to warm you up and then proceed to more challenging trails once you get the hang of it. You will find yourself hiking for hours so do not forget to bring water and high density foods to provide you with the energy during your hike.

2. Hiking Allows You To Have One Full Body Workout

When you work out at a fitness center or gym, you will have to use a number of workout equipment just to get your entire body in shape. This is unnecessary when you go hiking because the activity allows you to get your upper body, along with your hamstrings and quads working together in a single workout.

3. Hiking Encourages Better Health

Since hiking puts pressure on your bones, it will encourage better bone structure and drastically reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Depending on the amount of hiking you do, you also reduce the risk of heart disease while absorbing plenty of vitamin D from the sun.

4. Hiking Offers A Sense Of Accomplishment

If you want to boost your self esteem, then there is nothing better than climbing mountains to build your confidence. When you reach your hiking destination and look out over your surroundings the overwhelming experience will be of accomplishment.

5. Hiking Is A Good Stress Reliever

Work can build stress and hiking is the best way to get rid of it, aside from reducing insomnia. The breathtaking views and natural rhythms of nature help in improving your mental health.

6. Hiking Offers Sight Seeing Opportunities

If you want to see amazing wildlife that you only used to see on television, then hiking will give you the opportunity. Consider hiking in Idaho where you can find an array of wildlife such as elk and deer. You will be amazed at the variety of wildlife you will come across so do not forget to bring a camera with you.

7. Hiking Offers Breathtaking Views While Exercising

When you work out at the gym, the only views you will get are the city sky, buildings, cars, the television and the other people working out at the gym. However, hiking allows you to exercise while enjoying mountain views, relaxing lakes, miles of greenery and fresh air. Exercising in the beauty of outdoors will help you exercise better and stay focused.

Citations:

• Photograph by: cwright5.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://mrg.bz/Wltx6t

Valerie Georges is a freelance writer specializing health and well-being. She offers advice about various outdoor activities that can help people stay fit and recommends Velvet Ranch as the location where people can enjoy various healthy outdoor activities.