15 Health Benefits of Trekking that Will Make You Hit the Trail
By: Deepak Sethi
Tags: Life Lessons, Health, Self Improvement, Fitness, Mindfulness

I don’t like going to a gym and working on the treadmill. It all gets so repetitive and boring after a while. Working out at a gym, after a day’s work at the office does not even add to my enthusiasm.

What I love is walking. It could be walking along the beach or the daily evening walk.

There are better ways to exercise with the only distraction of the beautiful nature. You can enjoy with your friends and go to stunning locations.

Yes, you have guessed it right. I am talking about trekking. Walking in the arms of the Mother Nature is any day better than exercising behind the closed doors.

“Trekking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in areas of relatively unspoiled wilderness.” This is the Wikipedia’s definition of trekking.

Trekking is about fitness, family, friends and fun. The mountain ranges are some of the most beautiful places to visit. As there is no dense network of roads, the only way to see these remote areas is by foot.

You can walk through the villages and streets and see the people carrying on with their daily tasks, not visible in the hustle and bustle of a city. The view of the mountains is always beautiful and you will be able to see clouds near to you. The fun of trekking can never be experienced in a car or a bus journey.

There are many mental and health benefits associated with trekking along with the beautiful scenery we enjoy.

1. Reduces feelings of depression

When you are near beautiful nature a feeling of calmness and joy engulfs you. Breathing fresh air does wonders as it increases the inflow of oxygen. Researchers have found that spending time near to the nature is good for reducing the symptoms of depression. Trekking can become a part of strong depression treatment plan.

Trekking helps in uplifting our mood because it combines the benefits of exercise with that of mental health, due to being surrounded by nature and socializing with other people in our group.

2. Stress Relief

Stress increases our health problems. Daily life pressure in modern cities and the long commuting involved, increases stress.

Trekking reduces stress due to the release of endorphins, which are known to make us happy.

With the picturesque mountains, calm water bodies and the night under stars we get a sense of peace and our mental health improves. Once we return to our daily work grind we feel rejuvenated.

3. Increases your metabolism

Spending time at the same place for a long time decreases our metabolism. When at work it is advisable to take break to tackle this problem, as even four hours of inactivity shuts down enzymes that metabolize fats. Trekking can improve our metabolism.

4. Improved Fitness and Weight Loss

Trekking involves walking up and down the hills. Walking for a period of 6–8 hours helps in burning fat.Though most of the motion happens from down the waist, the arms get worked more if you use trekking poles. Even if you don’t use poles there would be more swinging arm movement than when you are walking.

While going over rough terrain your butt, thigh and calf muscles will be working more. The whole activity will lead to weight loss and improve fitness level.

5. Controls sugars and cholesterol levels

Trekking on a regular basis decreases cholesterol. It lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Moving uphill lowers triglyceride whereas going downhill is two times more effective at removing blood sugars and improves glucose tolerance.

6. Heart is strengthened

When you get clean fresh air, it aids the respiratory system and enhances the capacity of the lungs.

The more fresh air you breathe, the more capable your lungs become; the more blood the heart pumps, the healthier it gets. Trekking with a backpack helps in cardiovascular workout which invigorates your heart. The ascent and the descent help in a good workout.

7. Prevents Backache

Bad posture and sitting for most part of the day results in chronic back pain.

When we walk our spine is placed in a more naturally aligned position than when we sit. The spine comprises of many joints which become more flexible because the supporting muscles become stronger during trekking.

8. Osteoporosis and Arthritis

Trekking helps reverse the negative effects of osteoporosis by increasing bone density and slowing the rate of calcium loss thereby strengthening bones and decreasing their susceptibility to break.

It is great for working against arthritis because it keeps the joints mobile and the surrounding muscles strong.

9. Improves your body balance

Trekking is a good way to improve body balance. The uneven surface promotes the small stabilizing muscles in the ankles to get stronger and react quickly when you lose balance.

10. Replenishing Vitamin D

Trekking provides a dose of Vitamin D due to exposure to sunlight, which is essential for calcium absorption needed for bone health.

11. Patience and discipline

Walking for a long distance to reach a destination tests the trekker’s patience, discipline and determination.

If persons are trekking in group teamwork needs to be involved.

Good teamwork, discipline and determination help a person succeed in life. Helping each other adds to the fun in a journey.

12. Increase in focus

One can increase attention by reducing stress and increasing physical fitness by going for trekking during the weekends. It has been proved that a mere ten minutes of movement can increase productivity and mental focus.

13. Survival instincts

Trekking helps in building the survival skills of a person. One learns to manage with minimum resources.

It tests you in handling emergencies and shortage of food, water and other resources. This is a test on your mental and physical abilities.

14. Peaceful sleep

Regular physical activity has shown to increase sleep by 50 percent in those who exercise regularly.

Due to noise and distraction of modern day gadgets, people have forgotten when it is time to sleep.If you spend few nights with nature you tend to improve your sleep cycle.

15. Increases the longevity of life

Research has shown that hiking for 8 kilometres reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks by about 30 percent. Walking 5 miles a week reduces the risk of heart attacks by 31 percent.

We can increase the longevity of our life by being active and going for trekking whenever possible.

The above mentioned were the mental and health benefits of trekking. There are some other benefits too which we can find enjoyable:

While going for trekking you come across unusual species of birds, animals, beautiful plants and trees that you may never have seen in your life.

You make many new friends. Being with a group of like-minded people with common goals on hiking trips can increase one’s sense of belonging and purpose. This enhances our emotional well being.

Passing through remote villages trekkers can learn new cultures and languages. People at different places cook food differently and their culture could be different. There is always unity in diversity.

Nowadays more and more people are adopting trekking as a major outdoor event. The scenery, accessibility and diverse nature of trails make this healthy pastime attractive for people of all ages.

Moreover trekking doesn’t require any special expertise and skills. You too can take out time for trekking. This would prove to be beneficial for your mental and physical health.