Benefits of Hiking

Exercise!!! This word has multiple reactions. Some groan while some show enthusiasm. If you are in the category that groans, then this is the right article for you. I don't know about you, but most of the people get discouraged when they think of exercises, because of the fact that they need to go to the gym and spend one hour panting and sweating. This leads to disgruntling and grumbling. These are the reasons why people develop a negative feeling towards exercise. However, what people do not realize is that there are several other activities that can be taken up as a form of exercise.

If you feel that hiking doesn't have any health benefits, I am sorry to say that you are wrong. Physical benefits of hiking are plenty, provided you carry on this activity on a regular basis. A small hiking tip - wear good hiking shoes to avoid accidents. The following paragraphs will discuss how hiking can be beneficial for us.

Weight Loss
Weight loss is the first and the most wonderful of all the benefits. With the trail climbing up and down the hill, you burn a lot of calories while hiking. When combined with a balanced and healthy diet, you benefit with healthy weight loss and a lean body.

Body Toning
The lower body tones itself fantastically when you hike on a regular basis. Trails where there is some elevation, are the best to serve the purpose as they act as muscle toning workouts. For the muscles to tone further and for you to increase your strength, you could carry some weight on your back. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you start off with flat land first, followed by small hills and later on progressing to difficult hills.

Not Tough
Hiking is not tough. This form of exercise can be taken up by anyone at any age. Initially, a flat terrain can be selected according to your age. Those, who have a considerable amount of experience and those with age on their side, can proceed quickly to more complicated trails. Those with arthritis and joint pains can also benefit from hiking as the leg muscles are strengthened.

Prevention of Heart Diseases
Due to the regular pumping of blood and the increase in the blood circulation in the body, one of the health benefits is the prevention of heart diseases. The fat is burned better and the level of the good cholesterol, HDL, increases in the body. This assists in keeping the body healthy. The arteries get dilated, thereby reducing the pressure on the heart and preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Decreasing the Blood Pressure
One of the important benefits is the reduction in blood pressure. The blood vessels and the arteries, dilate and the insulin production reduces, thereby reducing the blood pressure. Thus, reduction in the blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension, is one of the important benefits of hiking.

Slow Down Aging Process
Now, this benefit will surely catch your eye. It has been proved that people who exercise regularly age slowly. It has been found out that the immune system of such people ages slowly and the other signs of aging are also delayed. In fact, inactivity increases the process of aging and hence, some amount of regular exercise is very important in each one's life.

Stress Buster
Each one of us is under stress in one way or the other. Some of us eat a lot when we are under pressure, while there are some who cannot eat at all due to loss of appetite. As both these conditions are undesirable and unhealthy, getting rid of the pressure is important. Hiking plays a good role here as it acts as a wonderful stress buster. Getting up early in the morning and going for a nice hike all by yourself, gives you time to think and also helps you to de-stress. Not only the nature around you freshens you up, you get the possible solutions to your problems. This, in turn, means that your appetite will become normal, thus, helping you to remain fit.

Other Health Benefits
The other benefits include the controlling of diabetes and improving osteoporosis in people who suffer from these diseases. The immune system also improves due to the fresh air that we breathe and this helps in reducing other problems like flu, cold and sinus. People with persistent back pain can also find relief due to this activity. However, it is recommended that people with all these above problems should consult their doctors before starting off with this activity.

Unlike the gym, hiking is an outdoor activity, being a fat burning exercise, at the same time. The fresh air in the morning, the fresh sunrays of the morning, and the peace helps to liven up the mood and increase the freshness in a person. Couple hiking with balanced diet and see the wonderful change in you. These other benefits and trails are also important as you experience a change in the way you feel.