Most of us know that we need to exercise but with increasingly busy lives, it’s important to prioritize the activity that will give us the maximum health benefits. After sitting at a desk for a long day, working out at the gym couldn’t be less appealing. It’s no surprise that more and more people are ditching the gym and hitting the trails to improve their health.
Need more convincing to put on your walking shoes? Here are 5 health benefits of trekking.
Boost Your Mood
Stress can disrupt your everyday life, causing health problems and depression. Trekking is an excellent mood booster as it combines the physiological benefits of exercise with the mental health benefits of being surrounded by nature and socializing with other people on the trail. Taking in the fresh air and nature around you while trekking is believed to boost memory power and functionality of the brain. Breathing in the fresh air, as well as seeing plants and animals can also give you a better appreciation of the world and a sense of calmness and joy.Builds Strong Bones
Trekking requires optimum efforts from the human body since it requires stretching, jumping, climbing and dodging at several intervals. These small exercises during a trek helps in making the bones stronger. Backpackers have added burden of carrying supplies, such as bottles, first-aid kits, clothes and even camping equipments, which would mean added weight on the shoulders and spine. If carried properly, this weight training can help add bone density, thereby achieving overall fitness.Burn Calories
For most people, this is one of the most important health benefits of trekking. Climbing, light runs, sprints, dodging around boulders is common during trekking. These activities help shed unwanted fat and water weight. In fact 12 weeks of trekking, at a moderate level of intensity, on a regular basis, can lead to significant weight loss.Increases Your Metabolism
Just spending 20 minutes in any fixed position leads to a decrease in your metabolism and 4 hours of inactivity almost completely shuts down the enzymes that metabolize the fats. When you are at work it's necessary to take regular screen breaks to combat this. The more muscle mass you have, the greater your resting metabolic rate will be - for every 4.5 lbs your resting metabolic rate increases by 50kcal per day.Increased Heart And Lung Capacity
Regular hiking and trekking are said to have reduced blood pressure by 10 points and balance the body's cholesterol level as well. This helps in reducing the circulatory and respiratory system health, therefore reducing the probability of getting a heart attack, strokes, cardiovascular pains, and respiratory disorders.In addition to this, the more you breathe fresh air, the more active your lungs become, and your heart pumps more blood. Use a trekking stick in case you need walking support. Fixing the body on the ground and pushing our body against it to move further, works on your upper body muscles and heart.
