Looking After Your Health During Trekking: All You Need To Know
Trekking is a wonderful way to both participate in aerobic activity and clear your head. It is obvious that it offers benefits for both the mind and body. Trekking can be as moderate as a walk around the park or as strenuous as a mountain climb. How hard you will go, depends entirely on your preferences and health. In this article, you will find everything you need to know on how to enjoy trekking while taking care of your health, and how this outdoor activity benefits your well-being.
Safe Trekking
Whether you chose hiking, trekking, or running through the woods, the first rule of the game is not to go alone, especially on unfamiliar or remote trails. A partner or group can help you navigate and aid if you somehow get hurt. As your skill level improves, you might feel more convenient going solo, but it is still not quite recommended. It is also very important to get familiar with the trail map and the expected weather conditions. Also, make sure to tell somebody your trail plan, and carry your phone always with you. If the weather is predicted to be unstable, take along a waterproof jacket and hat in case of unexpected rain
Prepare Yourself
Talking to your manager about a vacation, checking the recent weather forecast, bringing a compass and a map with you and telling a friend your trekking route are three major steps you need to do before you even start your route. Make sure to bring along plenty of carbohydrate-rich food and water to keep your energy level up and your body well-hydrated. Drinking water is essential, so keep in mind to drink it often as you are walking, even if you don’t feel thirsty. When making a list of what you need to bring along, don’t forget to pack a first-aid kit, pocketknife, matches, and flashlight, and if you suffer from any chronic health conditions or allergies, don’t forget to bring your medications with you. Wear suitable clothing and properly fitted trekking boots. Both should be waterproof and highly comfortable.
Don’t Push Yourself
Trekking is the type of light intensity outdoor activity designed to make you feel good, calm your mind, and easily keep your body in a good shape. It is not the Cardio workout that should push your body to its limits. If you are a beginner, try short local trails and then gradually work up to those with hills or uneven terrain. Using poles by digging them into the ground to help yourself go forward pushes your upper body muscles to work a bit harder and gives you a stronger cardio workout. It is up to you how much you want to use them, according to your fitness level and preferences, just don’t overdo it.
Good For The Brain
Nature is the only place where you can leave technology and be completely at the moment. Walking through nature benefits your mind just as much as it works your body out. Many studies have shown that any kind of outdoor physical activity helps fight symptoms of anxiety and depression in the same way as the use of antidepressant drugs. Doctors are even increasingly prescribing exercises such as trekking and walking to combat depression. Another study found that spending time outdoors can improve your attention span and creativity by as much as 50 % and even more it is shown that these benefits can last long after the hike is over. Other clinically proven benefits of spending time in nature include improved sleep and energy levels, and overall mental well-being.
Good For The Heart
Trekking is considered a low-intensity cardio exercise, so it logically boasts all of the classic health benefits you get from most cardio exercises. It is proven to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar level, lowers the risk of heart disease, decreases cholesterol, and helps control your weight. As you are constantly moving your entire body while trekking, your heart has to pump more blood through your veins which directly improves your blood flow and oxygen flow. This results in a healthier heartbeat. There is a new benchmark for heart health and living a long, happy life – seven hours of physical activity per week. Do more than that and have a much longer life expectancy.
Apart from a few blisters or a potential cut, we can’t think of any negative effects of going trekking. And even those situations can be prevented and easily handled if you are well-prepared. Hopefully, this article will provide you with all the essential tips regarding your health when it comes to trekking and convince you to treat your body and mind with some quality time on the trekking trails as soon as possible.
