Mountain hiking is not only an exciting leisure activity, it has remarkable benefits for health and well-being.
Strengthen your cardiovascular system with mountain hiking
Wandering mountain trails can help boost your cardiovascular system. The effort required to climb to altitude gets your heart and lungs moving, increasing your heart rate and oxygen consumption. This is a great activity for your heart health.
When you hike in the mountains, your cardiovascular system is fully involved . First, increasing altitude reduces the amount of oxygen in the air, making your body work harder to get the oxygen it needs. This promotes increased blood circulation, helping to strengthen your heart.
The regular physical activity involved in hiking helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to studies, people who hike regularly tend to have lower blood pressure and healthier cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of heart attacks, heart attacks or strokes.
Tone your muscles with mountain hiking
mountain walking uses many muscle groups that other forms of exercise tend to neglect.
Let's take the example of legs. The thighs, calves, and even foot muscles are constantly working during a hike, especially when climbing a steep slope. Your arms and shoulders also contribute to this effort, especially if you use walking poles.
A tough climb can also strain your abdominal muscles, especially if the terrain is steep or rocky. This requires you to maintain balance while climbing, which will put strain on your core.
Simply carrying a backpack can help strengthen your back muscles, especially the stabilizing muscles that help maintain good posture.
The mental benefits of mountain hiking
In addition to the physical benefits, hiking has many psychological benefits . In fact, it can positively influence our mood and our perception of the world around us.
Here are some mental benefits of hiking in the mountains:
- Stress reduction: Being in nature, far from the pollution and noise of the city, can help decompress and relieve tension. The human body responds positively to greenery, sunshine and clean air, which can significantly reduce our levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
- Improved mood : Physical exercise, such as walking in the mountains, releases endorphins, the hormones of happiness. This can promote a feeling of satisfaction, accomplishment and joy.
- Creativity Boost: A Stanford University study showed that walking, especially outdoors and in natural environments, can boost our creative thinking.
- Improved Concentration : By taking us away from our cell phones and other daily distractions, hiking in the mountains encourages deeper concentration and increased awareness of our surroundings.
Conclusion
Mountain hiking is much more than just an outdoor activity. It is a powerful ally for health, whether physically or mentally. Everyone can enjoy its countless benefits, regardless of age or fitness level.
