Mental & Physical Benefits to Hiking

Mental & Physical Benefits to Hiking

Hiking is one of my favorite things I do to help with my mental health; there are so many great health benefits from hiking as well. In today’s video, I’ll be diving into the 7 mental & physical benefits of hiking.

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MENTAL & HEALTH BENEFITS OF HIKING:

00:11 1. GET OUTSIDE
Studies show that being outside reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels, and regulates our circadian rhythm.
00:35 2. DISCONNECT
Hiking forces me to connect with myself, think, and process the things I’m experiencing in my life. We can all use a little more disconnection from this busy world.
01:06 3. BOOSTS MOOD
A 2015 study from Standford University found that time spent in nature helps calm the portion of the brain linked to mental illness. It also decreases minds’ tendency toward negative thought patterns. Outdoor exercise has a direct correlation to greater feelings of positivity and fewer feelings of anger and depression.
01:58 4. GOOD WORKOUT
Walking on an uneven trail burns 28X more energy than walking on flat ground. On average, a typical hike can burn 300-400 calories an hour.
02:38 5. GOOD SLEEP
Getting a better workout allows you to sleep better because you just got your butt kicked.
02:51 6. LOWERS STRESS
Hiking has been scientifically proven to lower your stress and cortisol levels. It also allows you to quiet your mind.
03:10 7. IMPROVE BALANCE & STABILITY
Most people think hiking is just a leg workout, but depending on your pack size and weight, hiking can be a core and stability builder, helping you to improve your balance.

There are so many hiking benefits, one of them is mental health, but in order to look at the advantages of hiking, we have to look at what are the health benefits of hiking and trekking. Mental health awareness and mental health motivation are common themes for me in the benefits of hiking a mountain.