Do you love hiking as much as I do? It’s the best! I love being in nature, feeling my heart pounding, sweat dripping and legs burning.
After the challenge of the hike both mentally and physically, standing at the top, when the grind is over. Taking in the beautiful scenery that can only be truly enjoyed whilst on the top of a mountain after completing such a challenge. Here is a great article on the health benefits of hiking.
If you know anyone that has metabolic syndrome, which is high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. This increases their chance of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Here is an article on how hiking can help reduce all of these health complications.
To think that some people don’t ever hike and won’t ever have that feeling of dominating a mountain. Sure you can still enjoy a great scenery without having to hike. But it’s not the same. After a hike you feel so grateful for that view, that the struggle is over. You think how you hiked all this way.
You overcome doubts that you couldn’t make it. This! This is so great for your brain! You feel you can do anything! So powerful. So invigorating! It’s the best feeling!
To those that hike, good on you! I’m happy you’re enjoying mother nature. To those that wish to hike, go for it! But first prepare yourself by training your legs and getting them strong! This will help prevent injury and help take strain off of your knees and back. Also be sure to get the right footwear. I prefer hiking shoes that breathe, have good grip, and also allow my feet to move freely.
You may get a feeling of anxiety right before, but it goes away once you start. Being in nature is a great tool to help relieve symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression according to this article from Web MD calling it ecotherapy or nature therapy. You may have someone in your brain telling you that you can’t do it, don’t listen! Believe in yourself and trust me, that feeling at the top will be like nothing you have ever experienced!