Walking and hiking balance the body through natural movement, oxygenation of the cells and the use of our muscles as they were designed to be used.
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fit body
~Dami Roelse
Into the Woods
Hiking for Health and Happiness by Marlaina Donato
M
any of us equate fitness with going to the gym, but a good hike in a natural environment can foster unique benefits for both body and psyche. Hiking or walking outdoors not only promotes heart health, helping to balance both blood sugar and blood pressure, it increases hip bone density to help reduce fractures, according to research on postmenopausal women from the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study. Navigating uneven terrain also necessitates lateral movement, which can strengthen core muscles and improve balance more significantly than working out on a treadmill or cycling.
Walk and Live Longer
Any kind of walking can be a great boon to health. Recent research by the American Cancer Society involving 140,000 older adults correlates a lower mortality rate with even short intervals of walking. Individuals in the study that walked six hours a week lowered their risk of dying from cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory disease. It also shows that just two 20
hours of walking per week could significantly improve health. “Walking and hiking balance the body through natural movement, oxygenation of the cells and the use of our muscles as they were designed to be used,” says Dami Roelse, of Ashland, Oregon, author of Walking Gone Wild: How to Lose Your Age on the Trail. “Walking is in our genes; DNA molecules need to be stimulated
regularly to express themselves, and walking does just that. It also improves mood and cognition.” The beauty of hiking is that it offers a tailored experience according to ability and personal interests. Day hikes, whether in the countryside or in urban botanical gardens or parks, are uplifting and ideal for any fitness level. Longer or overnight treks with a backpack of supplies offer healthy challenges and opportunities for total immersion in nature. Bringing the kids on a hike offers family fitness time and a healthy way to unplug from technology and sneak in a fun learning experience about local flora and fauna.
Trek for a Healthier Brain
Exercise stimulates feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, but getting a workout in a natural setting fortifies the whole nervous system. A 2015 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science led by Stanford University researchers shows that walking in nature for 90 minutes decreases activ-
Helpful Links and Inspiration National trail guide resource: AllTrails.com 13 best hiking apps: AtlasAndBoots.com/best-hiking-apps Hiking with the kids: Tinyurl.com/HealthyHikingWithKids Beginning with day hiking: SectionHiker.com/10-tips-for-beginner-day-hikers Backpacking tips for beginners: REI.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-beginners Practical advice, inspiration and tips for women hikers: GirlsWhoHike.net Walking to stay fit: VeryWellFit.com/walking-4157093 Library of forest bathing articles: TheForestLibrary.com/forest-bathing-online-articles
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