5 unusual reasons to go camping

If you are not currently a hiker, the summer is an excellent time to start. Why? The weather allows novices to wander freely over the plains and mountains. Here are 6 out-of-the-ordinary reasons to go trekking this summer.

Hiking is beneficial to the heart

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are rapidly growing younger. One of the reasons for their development is an improper diet and a sedentary lifestyle. And long walking on rough terrain (which is the essence of all hikes) is an excellent option for physical activity. “This exercise routine lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol,” explains Stephen Reishman, cardiologist and director of the New York City Center for Cardiac Diagnostics . - Aerobic exercise also improves blood circulation, normalizes blood pressure and reduces the risk of diabetes. Climbing uphill and using weights (that is, a backpack) allows you to evenly increase this load, training the heart system. "

Hiking reduces anxiety

Let's not hide: the very idea of going on a two-day hike and spending the night in a tent causes anxiety attacks in many. But this is only at the beginning! In fact, tourism helps to reduce anxiety: as you travel along the route, you have to carefully monitor the trail and the changing conditions around. That is, to concentrate on the moment “here and now”. This develops awareness and helps keep thoughts and attention on a specific subject. Relatively speaking, you simply do not have time to think about small failures and situations that happened a week ago.

The effect can be enhanced if, while driving, you consciously scan your feelings and listen to the rustle of leaves under your feet, examine stones on the trail, etc. You can practice on a walk in a nearby park.

Hiking is a type of interval training

Overcoming the route, you will move at different speeds and in different conditions: somewhere the path slopes upwards, somewhere downwards, the coverage changes on the sections of the path. In sum, all this affects the work of muscles and the cardiovascular system. “Most people don't think of walking as an interval workout, but it’s in vain, because it’s an interval workout,” says Jamie Ehrlich, a Pilates instructor based in Los Angeles. - In its simplest form, this type of cardio training means that you give all your strength for a short period of time, followed by a period of rest. Hiking automatically lengthens these intervals, increasing your heart rate on climbs and lowering your heart rate on descents. "

Interval training helps you burn calories during and during the day after exercise. And, of course, they actively develop the cardiovascular system, making you more resilient. Now imagine that you will get all this along the way while enjoying the beautiful views.

Hiking teaches us to be more grateful

Remember how you feel after showering after an intense workout? This is most likely relief and relaxation. Now multiply this feeling by a hundred - this is what you will feel when you return home. Returning to the "benefits of civilization" (like a comfortable bed, the opportunity to go to the shower), even after a short hike, you will feel an incredible surge of gratitude for everything you have.

And then even such a simple thing as a clean bedding set will give you a surge of positive emotions.

Hiking helps us slow down

Overcoming the route on foot, you simply cannot move quickly or do a lot of things at the same time (as it happens, for example, during the working day). This will help you slow down and align with the rhythm of nature, which automatically reduces stress.

Many experienced hikers manage to maintain this state even a month after the end of the hike. But even a short "touch" of it can significantly change your thinking.