Hiking is one of my favorite ways to stay in shape. Not only is hiking beneficial for physical health, but it also helps your mental and spiritual health, too!
1. You burn calories
Hiking can burn a lot of calories, depending on the kind of hike you do. I personally love hiking because there are options for how hard of a path you want to experience. It's all up to you and your goals.
2. It builds strength
Hiking is great to make your legs and booty stronger! It works out your quads, hamstrings, calves, glutes, hip muscles, and even your abs!
3. Being in nature improves your headspace
According to Stanford researchers, just being in nature showed positive effects on memory, mood, and other operations of the brain!
4. You'll get more vitamin D
Vitamin D is just overall something that keeps you healthy. There are many mental and physical benefits vitamin D gives you. Getting enough vitamin D is especially important for depression.
5. It reduces stress
According to multiple studies, hiking reduces stress. I always feel way less stressed when I go for a hike.
6. It's a good way to evaluate what's going on in your life
Breathing in fresh air and walking in nature always gives me a clear mind. For me, it's the best way to evaluate the problems I have in life. I always make better decisions after a walk in nature.
7. You get new experiences
The fun part about hiking is there are hundreds of trails you can take. Each trail leads you to a new experience and if you're like me, new experiences make me happy. You never know where a trail might take you.
8. It will improve cardiovascular health
You don't have to do a hardcore hike to improve cardiovascular health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 150 minutes of even just a brisk walk per week will improve cardiovascular health.
9. It decreases depression and anxiety
Since hiking is good for your mind, body, and overall health, it is also a great way to reduce depression and anxiety. Endorphins, the hormones that send happy signals to your brain, are released when you do any physical activity such as hiking.
10. You will feel accomplished
At the end of a hike, I always get a feeling of accomplishment. No matter how rigorous the hike is, every hike is an accomplishment.
