By Otto Rodriguez
MiamiDadeHealth.com
A while ago, I heard my primary care physician say to a patient: “I will give you a green prescription”.
He was referring to a prescription that does not involve medications, but rather a “ brisk walk in the park.”
In that same vein, next time you hear someone tell you, “take a hike,” you might want to thank them for looking out for your health. That’s because going on a hike brings great benefits for your physical and mental health and well-being.
Benefits of regular hiking or walking include:
- Increases fitness: Just one hour of trekking can burn well over 300 calories, depending on the level of incline and other factors. Hiking trails are often softer on joints than asphalt or concrete, so it’s easier on your ankles and knees compared to running.
- You can take control of your workouts: With hiking, you can chart your own course: Is it a slowly inclining scenic trail or a steep trek up a mountain? And you set your own pace and distance, as well.
- Tone your body: Regular walking can get some areas of your body in better shape, but taking on sharp inclines and clambering over rocks gives your body an all-over workout.
- Lower blood pressure and cholesterol: Hiking through the trails on a regular basis decreases blood pressure and cholesterol, thus reducing the danger of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke for those at high-risk. Research has shown that hiking downhill is two times more effective at removing blood sugars and improving glucose tolerance.
- Hiking heals: Some research suggests that the physical benefits of hiking extend far beyond cardiovascular health, and may even help cancer patients recover. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine found that long-distance hiking trips may improve the antioxidative capacity of the human body, which helps fight off disease.
- It’s a social activity: A regular weekend meet-up with other hikers can help you make friends or interact with other persons while you shape up. Plus, interaction with the larger hiking community encourages you to engage with your workout as a lifestyle.
- It increases creativity: Research shows that spending time outdoors increases attention spans and creative problem-solving skills by as much as 50 percent. Researchers from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education also found that walking gets the creative juices flowing far more than sitting.
