Since moving to Arizona, I got the hiking bug. It is such a major part of Arizona life and with the hundreds of trails in the Phoenix area, it’s an easy activity to get involved in. While I had been on a few hikes previously, moving to Arizona has definitely introduced me to a whole new level of hiking. Here are the five reasons why you should take a hike!
1.) Exercise
Hiking is a great way to exercise. The young, the old, and the toddler can all participate in this activity. As a friend once stated, “It’s just walking.” With hiking, you have the ability to seesaw from one end of extremes to the other. You can take a quick easy day hike or an extreme 8-hour hike with steep elevation. While hiking may not be the best method to get you your “Revenge Body” it can really help with your stamina and lung capacity. Hiking can help you improve your other fitness activities such as running and yoga.
2.) Exploration
Explore your natural environment
Another reason why you should take a hike is to explore your natural environment. For a couple of hours or a few days (for those extreme hikers) you are able to escape the real world and explore the natural world. No more traffic noises or bright light distractions. Just endless mountain views and nature.
Explore your limits
Hiking allows you to test your limits and boundaries similarly to other sports and physical activities. As stated before, there are various forms of hiking from easy to hard. Hiking is available to everyone from varying fitness levels and expertise. You can choose your hikes depending on your fitness level and your goals. Over time, you can push yourself to reach new and interesting heights (if you want).
Note: Exploring your limits in hiking is similar to other physical activities. You do not necessarily have to push yourself. It is all up to you and your goals. It is more than okay to maintain your physical activity at a level that you are comfortable with. When exploring your limits, it is important to plan ahead, take it slow, and KNOW your limits. While testing your limits can be fun and the results can really improve your skills and expertise, it is important to KNOW your limits and test your limits safely. Hiking like many other sports activities can be dangerous. You should do thorough research prior to exploring a new hike, to make sure that it is the right hike for you. Be confident in your abilities but not careless. Also, remember to not allow others to force you into situations in which you feel uncomfortable. Hiking is supposed to be fun, and while exploring your limits may put you slightly out of your comfort zone, you are the only one which knows your comfort level. Trust yourself and if you are not comfortable, there is no harm in stopping, turning around, and trying the hike at another time ( or not).
3.) Meet new people
Another reason why you should take a hike is to meet new people. The global pandemic has been the catalyst for many people to move cross country. It can be hard to meet new people and explore friendships after moving. This was definitely amplified over the last 2 years due to the global pandemic. As we are now getting back to our new normal, hiking is the perfect way to ease into a new friend group. It may not seem obvious to some, but hiking IS a social activity. Hiking occurs outside, if you want to be 6 feet apart you can, and it allows you to have conversations that are not interrupted by 21st-century distractions.
There are many ways to meet new people on the trail. It can happen organically while on the trail, or you can join a meetup group. The Meetup app is a great way to meet new people who share similar interests in your city. For those new to the Phoenix area or just looking to hike with some cool people, I recommend you check out the Phoenix Outdoors (20s-30s Hiking Group) on Meetup. I have gone to two of their hikes and really enjoyed them. I have met great people at each hike. The leaders are experienced and there are a variety of hikes of different experience levels offered. Please make sure to thoroughly read the description of the hike offered prior to signing up. Some hikes are not appropriate depending on your experience level and physical fitness. There are similar meetup groups in most cities. Click the hyperlink for Phoenix Outdoors (20s-30s Hiking Group) if you are interested in joining up with the group.
4.) Psychological Benefits
You should take a hike because it has great psychological benefits for you. Hiking is good for your soul! For some individuals, hiking can help calm their anxiety and alleviate their depression. Hiking like many other physical activities has the ability to contribute positively to your overall well-being and mental health. Hiking has the ability to clear my mind and reduce stress. It takes me out of my day-to-day activities and worries and allows me to focus on the task at hand. One foot in front of the other.
5.) Free
Lastly, you should take a hike because hiking is free! Yes, over time you may invest in hiking gear but overall, hiking is a free activity. Many hiking trails are on public lands and free to the public. Some areas may require a daily parking pass; however, they usually cost less than $10. Hiking is a free activity that you can do with your friends, family, new Meetup friends, or solo (with the right experience and preparation).
Interested in my blog! Feel free to read my recent post Its Just Walking: Why I started Hiking
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