Benefits of Hiking Beyond Male Testosterone

You may have heard that hiking outdoors has been connected to boosting male testosterone levels. Testosterone can have a big effect on your energy levels, among other surprising things. Hiking is a great way to improve male testosterone levels. 

So naturally, this benefit alone is enough to get people out on the trails. Beyond helping boost testosterone, hiking can provide both physical and mental benefits you may not have considered. 

Hiking is a full-body exercise that can improve your balance and bone density, strengthen your muscles, and release endorphins that will enhance your mood while lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity. While those things in and of themselves are worth the outing, hiking does more. Studies have connected hiking with benefits to mental health. 

Get A Full-body Workout Without the Gym

Hiking, especially through steep inclines or at a brisk pace, is a full-body workout. Getting your whole body engaged in cardio while getting a taste of nature is far better than burning calories on the treadmill at your gym. If you get bored getting your cardio in running laps or spending time on a stationary bike, you are not alone. 

Hiking can give you the benefits of cardio while giving you the variety and scenery you might be missing. Some people find it challenging to focus on physical activity alone. Especially if you are looking for a way to decompress or get to know your area, this can be a great way to do just that. 

Gyms can be busy, expensive, or less common in your area. If you travel frequently or live in a rural area, hiking alongside a small home gym could be a great option for you. 

A several-mile-long hike on uneven terrain can challenge your body, ranging in intensity. You can push yourself up steep inclines or take it easy. Whatever level your body is at, oftentimes hiking can be adapted to meet those needs and provide you with physical health benefits. 

Hiking Helps Develop Better Balance

The often rocky terrain and uneven paths different trails offer can work on an area frequently neglected—your balance and stability. Your balance, just like mobility and flexibility, plays a part in your overall independence, performance, and health both now and as you age. 

While important to work on, balance can be a difficult area to challenge and develop. While a few options are utilizing various gym equipment, the exercises are not frequently done. Balance, however, is essential to your overall fitness. Keeping and maintaining your balance throughout your workouts can allow you to reach your next level of health. 

While hiking, you are challenged by the rugged terrain and varying inclines. Depending on your ability, you can also find hiking trails requiring light bouldering or more advanced forms of balance. When often walking through these conditions, you will develop greater control of your core muscles and awareness of your surroundings. 

Having greater control over your movements can improve form and competitively within various sports. Strengthening your foundation and steadiness can help you lift large weights or hold a pose in yoga. 

Boxing, soccer, and even triathlons depend on steady balance. In improving your balance, you could remove a barrier that keeps you from achieving your fitness goals. 

Grow Old Well By Increasing Your Bone Density

As your body ages, you slowly lose your bone density. Lower bone density can cause complications such as injuries and breaks to the bone. While a broken bone may not be too much of a difficulty today, as you age, issues like that begin to have a much larger effect on your independence and overall health. 

Hiking requires supporting your body weight for an extended period. This provides a low-impact avenue for increasing bone density as you age and is easy on the knees and ankles. This development of bone density can be done through various activities like strength training; this may not be a viable option for you. 

If strength training is not, hiking may be an excellent alternative that can still strengthen your hamstrings, glutes, hips, and calves and boost your endurance. 

What Nature Can Do Beyond Your Fitness Plan

Cases of mental health issues and depression are on the rise in society. The pressure and demand of this age can cause many people to overlook the issue. 

Taking the time to reflect and “feed” your body the fuel it needs to fight against it can feel far too time-consuming or challenging to start. Just as you would your body, your mental health needs maintenance. It is just as, if not arguably, far more important than your physical state. 

Some studies have connected an increase in urban settings to a rise in depression among specific populations. 

Hiking has been connected to improving mental health, such as issues like depression and anxiety. The experience of walking through a natural setting, apart from the bustle and stress of a city, can have a therapeutic effect on many. This may be particularly the case for those in busy cities or highly populated areas. 

If you live in these areas, you may be at a higher risk for depression or anxiety. Experiencing chronically stressful situations or urban-based living can cause some individuals to fall into depression or anxiety. 

Hiking can be a great way to combat those stressors preemptively. Preemptive actions, such as hiking, can have a tremendous impact on your overall quality of life. 

While hiking can be a great way to help reduce mental health symptoms or side effects, it is not enough on its own.

While hiking is not sufficient for relieving these areas, it can be a phenomenal additive to additional support you may already be receiving. If you see signs of poor mental health within yourself and are not already seeking professional care, start by reaching out. 

Reconnect With Loved-Ones and Old Friends

Hiking’s potential to be a slow yet intense workout offers some unique benefits. Hiking can be a great way to connect with people. If your family has a broad range of ages and you are looking for a way to have fun together, hiking may be your answer. 

Due to the wide range of options and more accessible trails, hiking can be adapted for many different ages and levels - making it the perfect way to connect as a group. 

Instead, you may be looking for a way to spend much-needed time with some old friends. Going on long-distance hikes or hike-in campsites can be a nice change of pace. 

Hikings’ low-cost requirements can be a great choice when there is a large range in the group’s budget. Regardless of your reason, hiking can bring about a connection apart from your usual drink at a local bar. 

Grab Your Shoes and Head Out

Whether you are on vacation or just another average week, it can always be a great time to get started. The physical, mental, and emotional rewards of hiking make it a worthy investment of your time. 

Hiking can support cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and stamina while strengthening your leg muscles and giving you time in the wilderness. 

Begin today by looking in your area and finding popular trails near you.