The Benefits of Hiking.

 

The Benefits of Hiking

The Benefits of Hiking

What are these Benefits that Hiking can bring you?

The popularity of Hiking is forever growing by leaps and bounds. This growth can be attributed, in part, to the benefits that walking and hiking provide. As a cardio workout, it beats all takers for ease, affordability, and start-up.

Its advantages to the heart and lungs have been proven time and again by numerous medical studies. Studies at Stanford have proven this as well.

In addition to the physical benefits that outdoor exercise offers, there are also social, phycological, and spiritual benefits to be accrued as well. A walk around a lake, or along a river bank, and in a flower-covered, alpine meadow can do wonders for the soul.

Hard to believe that all of this can be had, free of charge.

Walking the Lakeshore

The Benefits of Hiking

Hiking around the lakeshore has become one of my favorite pastimes. The birds and mammals that frequent the lakeshore have become my friends and for nothing in return but to be left alone to go about their day.

Hiking around the lake today felt very much like Spring was in the air. The birds were fluttering about in the trees and the Bufflehead males were splashing the waters and chasing away their rivals. The sun was glistening on the lake and the air felt warm and much drier than it has been in the past few days.

The Bufflehead males were dressed in their best whites and blacks and the Coots were also enjoying their morning swim. In the trees, I saw a Bushtit, a Sparrow, and Black-Capped Chickadee.

As I slowly made my way around a bend in the lake, the Rufous Hummingbird was perched on top of a thin branch, lazily dancing in the wind. I could hear the Canada Geese chattering away amongst themselves. Their cackling was soon drowned out by four Tundra Swans flying overhead, on their way to parts unknown.

Spring is about 40 days away and yet I feel especially excited this year about its return. This new uneasiness is due in large part to a more focused approach to photography.

What Did I Bring on this Peaceful Hike along the Lakeshore?

This is a short 2.3-kilometer walk around a small lake. There is almost no elevation gain and this Hike can be classified as very easy. I did not bring the regular day bag that I carry when I go on longer hikes in more secluded parts of Nature.

I did, nonetheless, bring my camera. The camera that I was carrying today is the Pansonic Lumix DMC-FZ 1000. I have owned this camera for a few years now, and I must admit that I am growing quite fond of it.

It is a bridge camera and very newbie friendly.

The Physical Benefits of Hiking

The advantages we reap from walking and hiking are almost proverbial. Numerous studies have proven beyond all doubt, that moderate physical exercise is of tremendous benefit to the heart and our entire body in general.

Hiking is an excellent Cardio workout. The physical benefits alone should be enough to get everyone hiking in some form. It is easily paired with many outdoor activities.

Hiking pairs well with Fishing, Photography, Gold Panning, and Cave Exploration, to mention only a few.

These cardio benefits can,

  • lower your risk of heart disease
  • lower your blood pressure
  • improve bone density
  • strengthen your legs, hips, and core
  • improve your balance, and
  • help to control your weight

The benefits of walking and hiking are too numerous to mention in this short post.

Hiking also burns a lot of calories. The heavier you weigh the more calories you will usually burn. In fact, average human beings (if there is such a creature), can expect to burn between 400 and 500 calories per hour.

Just enough to burn up that piece of apple pie if it is not topped off with too much vanilla ice cream.

The Benefits of Hiking
Snow covered peaks starring down on the lake

More Benefits from Hiking

The first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word hiking is arduous physical exercise. It does not need to be the case.

Walking is the beginning of your hiking experience. Start slowly if you are new to the sport. In time you will become a seasoned hiker.

No Special Equipment Required

Most cities and towns offer lots of opportunities for short, easy hikes close to home. Modern day city planners always consider ways to make their cities and towns more eco-friendly.

This becomes an important tool for attracting tourists and long-term dwellers to their areas. The result is that many natural features are provided with paths and walkways.

Comfortable clothing and footwear and you are ready to go!

One of the best Cardio Exercises

This aerobic activity brings new oxygen and fuel to your muscles, organs and body tissues to strengthen your muscles, increase your stamina and improve your energy levels.

Helps cure insomnia

If you have trouble falling asleep, an evening hike after dinner will make falling asleep much easier. You will feel much more rested when you awake in the morning.

Why not begin your day with a 30-minute walk. Lots of relaxed time to plan and organize the new day.

Free Vitamin D from the sun

The best source of Vitamin D comes from the sun. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for strong bones and muscles.

I’m sure you’ll agree that a pleasant hike around the lake, in the park, or along a riverbank is a relaxing exercise that very few people fail to enjoy.

Comments, Questions, and Suggestions

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about the physical, social, or psychological benefits of hiking, do not hesitate to leave them in the space below.

4 thoughts on “The Benefits of Hiking.”

  1. Hi, Paul. Thanks for a very enjoyable post. I think hiking is a fantastic way to combine a bit of exercise with enjoying fantastic scenery and taking time to ‘smell the roses’. We all lead such busy lives so hiking is a great way to de-stress, as well as all the other health benefits you mentioned in your post. You should make your links open a new tab so that your viewers aren’t taken away from your fantastic website. You have found a fantastic niche and make me inspired to get out again with my kids. It is obvious you are passionate about your posts, keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • Good Day, Greg.

      Thanks for dropping by to read my post. I am pleased that you value the benefits of hiking as well. Hiking in the great outdoors is a fun way to spend time with the family. The benefits of exercising outdoors does relieve a lot of stress and is an easy and inexpensive activity for families. 

      Children love to explore and learn. Their curiosity is boundless. Hiking is also a fun way to teach children about ecology and the “Earth Sciences”. Another benefit of spending time outdoors for school age children is the opportunity to develop ideas for school projects. 

      For us, it was always an inexpensive means of spending quality time together as a family. No distractions, no TV noise to compete with Mom and Dad. 

      We were often surprised when they came up with suggestions of places to visit. They were proud to come up with their very own hiking ideas. They would come up with “suggestions” of hiking around a lake, or a hike along the river. We pretended that these were all new and great ideas.

      One time, the youngest, 8 years old t the time, suggested we hike at the local mall. He said that we wouldn’t have to pack a lunch. We could stop for ice cream at the mall and that would keep us going until we got home later.

      Since parents love ice cream as well, we went along with his suggestion.

      Paul

  2. Wow, you have done a great job .
    Hiking is one of my favorite sports.In fact I had no idea about blood pressure problem and what to do .
    Very rich content and most importantly it is readable .
    The only thing that I didn,t like was sticky social panel.I find it distrakting .
    Overall you have a good website.

    Reply
    • Thanks, Amirreza, for stopping by to read my post.

      Its always nice to have visitors drop by. I’m happy to hear that you enjoy hiking as well.

      Hiking can easily be paired with many other outdoor activities and is an excellent cardiovascular exercise. It is very good for reducing blood pressure and stress. Short walks are also hiking and are excellent practice for your weekdays. In today’s technical and motorized world, it’s very easy to quickly get out of shape and in poor health. Hiking can also be used as a daily walk to work or school. 

      I appreciate the fact that you enjoy reading my material but I am not quite sure about what you mean by the “sticky social panel”. Are you referring to the social media icons? If so, please tell me how so I can change this situation to make it more appealing to my visitors.

      What are your favorite places to go hiking?

      How often do you go hiking and do you hike with a partner or do you hike alone?

      Paul

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