Nature Walks and Hiking Promote Recovery
#1
Financial Benefits
Hiking and walking outside offer extra perks to traditional exercising.
Hiking and walking outside offer extra perks to traditional exercising. First of all, it is free. Not all of us have the capability or the resources to use or pay for a gym membership. Taking advantage of the beauty and benefits of the great outdoors is an excellent way to begin or maintain your journey of recovery.
Just being out in your environment not only allows you to get the scenic views of nature. You get to breathe in the fresh air while feeling the warmth of the sun shining down on you. Not only that, it does so much for us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Just being outdoors alone can be a way to destress, as it promotes relaxation and healing. No amount of money can buy that.
#2
Physical Benefits
Being consistent with regular exercise has a significant impact on your health.
Studies done by the American Heart Association found that individuals who exercise reduce their risk for heart issues. These individuals were found to be half as likely to develop coronary heart disease.
Over time, hiking helps decrease the “bad” cholesterol levels in our body and improves glucose tolerance. The negative effects of things like arthritis and osteoporosis can be reduced or even reversed by simply walking or hiking. Something so minimal like walking can improve your posture, sense of balance, an strengthens your bones and muscles.
#3
Emotional & Mental Benefits
Hiking and walking outside offer extra perks to traditional exercising.
Just think about the differences between being in a room full of people versus being outside in nature. Hiking organically boosts your endorphin levels. Endorphins are responsible for your sense of happiness and the euphoric feelings you experience. This also plays a role in reducing the amount of anxiety and stress that comes at you. We all know how debilitating those two things can be on both our mind and body at times.
Self-esteem and confidence levels tend to rise while outdoors. This is due to an overall sense of feeling healthy while you’re out. There is also a lower risk of depression. Studies have shown that going for a short nature walk each day lowers activity in the part of the brain that’s associated with depression. Hiking or walking on scenic trails also opens up our senses, bringing awareness to our surroundings and improving perception.
#4
Relational Benefits
This is an activity that you can do alone or with another person.
If you’re trying to practice mindfulness, going by yourself might be a good idea. Taking in the beauty of nature is a great way to become present in the moment and put aside stressful things. If you don’t want to go alone, take a friend or partner with you while you go hiking. It can then serve as a positive experience for the relationship between you and them.
As much as social media connects us to each other, it also disconnects us from a lot of things. Taking some time away from social media and technology is something that we all should do more often. By leaving your phone behind, you’ll experience more of an understanding of yourself or the person you go with. Don’t worry about taking pictures, either. It’s for you to experience firsthand, not for someone else to experience.