Hands down, hiking has to be one of the most relaxing and mind-cleansing activities and adventures out there.
Though it requires a lot of physical activity, the mere experience of being out there in the open, trekking rough, uphill and downhill terrains, hearing the sweet and sometimes weird noises of animals in the woods, as well as, inhaling some well-needed and unadulterated oxygen makes the entire experience worthwhile and addictive.
The icing on the cake to this activity is, it is almost always free of charge, unlike having to pay to use gym facilities to stay in shape. For hiking, all you just need is your gear and you are very, very good to go! So if your number one excuse for not staying in shape is: “I can’t afford to go to the gym,” please quickly find another one.
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To further convince readers to take up hiking just in case they haven’t, your ultimate destination for global black lifestyle news, Nsuri, shares with you 5 ways this activity could make you live longer.
Read more below:
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1. Improves your fitness
It is not a hidden fact that hiking helps you stay in shape. Besides improving your cardiovascular fitness, hiking also helps strengthen your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and muscles in your hips and lower legs, according to WebMD.
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2. Relieves stress and boosts morale
In addition to staying in shape, hiking is also a huge stress reliever and morale booster. Amazing scenery and being at one with nature will leave you feeling all refreshed after a trip. Former president of the American Hiking Society, Gregory A. Miller says: “Research shows that hiking has a positive impact on combating the symptoms of stress and anxiety.”
“Being in nature is ingrained in our DNA, and we sometimes forget that.”
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3. Weight loss
Another indispensable benefit of hiking is it helps you burn fat and lose some much-needed weight. This is also an alternative to using the treadmill.
According to Livestrong: “The calories you burn while hiking depend on a variety of factors, including how long you hike, how quickly you’re moving, what you’re carrying and your body weight. A 160-pound person hiking for one hour, for example, would burn around 370 calories.”
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4. Lowers your risk of heart disease and improves your blood and sugar levels
Thanks to its physical nature and duration, hiking also decreases your chances of contracting heart disease. It also improves your blood and sugar levels.
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5. Strengthens your bone density
According to WebMD, hiking helps improve your bone density since “walking is a weight-bearing exercise.”
