Hiking: The Ultimate Reset Button for Your Busy Life

Hiking: The Ultimate Reset Button for Your Busy Life

We have all heard it many times before -- regular exercise is good for you, and it comes with numerous benefits, but with the hustle and bustle of daily life, involuntarily neglecting your physical health has become inevitable. With the long hours spent sitting at a desk or behind a wheel, our lifestyle has started to incorporate less and less physical activity. The good news is that it's never too late to start. Though developing new habits seems intimidating, easing into it can foster healthy methods of adopting said habits and building consistency.

Though there are numerous ways one can engage in exercise to experience the vast amounts of benefits, such as indoor or outdoor workouts. Indoor workouts include: going to the gym, at home workouts, swimming, boxing, etc. While outdoor workouts consist of: hiking, cycling, walking, running, etc. The act of exercise can vaguely be categorized into 4 main forms: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.

When researching on identifying whether the location of your exercise affects the outcome or the utility experienced from you day-to-day workouts, it turns out outdoor workouts and indoor workouts provide a different set of advantages, as they both aren't created equal when it comes to your health. If your aim is experiencing a higher level of serotonin and oxytocin, while doing a slow paced but longer workout, outdoor workouts would be the most suitable option. While on the other hand, for a more focused and extensive workout, Indoor workouts would be your best bet. 

“The research is clear that natural settings could be an effective venue for promoting physical activity,” Jay Maddock, PhD, a study author and Director of the Center for Health & Nature at Texas A&M University. 

Physical activity in natural settings can include both aerobic activity and strength training, evidently aiding you in achieving the best of both worlds. However it is understandable that with the busyness of one's daily routine, allocating long hours just to exercise isn't feasible. Hence, planning ahead, scheduling a day out of each or every two weeks, specifically dedicated to a form of outdoor physical exercise, and using apps that can find trails in your area are all ways to incorporate more outdoor activity into your exercise routine.

“It's not the destination, it's the journey” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

A famous quote by an equally famous American philosopher emphasizing on how the actual outcome may possess less relevance compared to the value added along the way- journey. This important lesson can be applied to numerous perspectives in life however, for now, let's discuss it in its literal sense.

Primarily focusing on hiking, it is one form of exercise that contradicts the essence of the quote, especially if you are someone who thrives In nature. Being enveloped in trees, flowers and fresh air enhances not only the journey but also amplifies the sense of self achievement by the end of the hike. The beautiful view from a mountain top acts as the ultimate reward for the initiative of hiking. 

This is just one of the many fun ways to incorporate different types of exercises in your routine and change up the atmosphere. To the most benefit, it is advised to get the recommended amount of physical activity for your age. If you're able to achieve that, you will easily experience a plethora of health benefits such as the prevention and control of many diseases, better mood, perhaps an elongated lifespan. All in all, physical activity helps you achieve an overall better quality of life. Let's look in depth on just some of the advantages gained by prioritizing and implementing daily exercise in your routine. 

• By exercising regularly, you maintain remaining at a healthy weight range and avoid the vast amounts of side effects of being over or underweight. Accompanied with the right diet, maintaining and achieving a healthy weight becomes a lot easier. 
  
  
• Protecting your heart starts with regular exercise. Staying active strengthens your heart and boosts blood circulation, delivering more oxygen throughout your body. Better blood circulation helps reduce the risk of heart issues like coronary artery disease or heart attacks. Plus, regular workouts can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in check—all key factors in maintaining heart health.
  
  This is crucial as illnesses like high blood pressure often show no symptoms. Exactly why it has been named "The Silent Killer", the lack of noticeable signs can lead to severe problems like strokes and heart attacks. 

• An easy way of bettering and controlling blood sugar and insulin levels is by the help of regular exercise. Slow-paced workouts help achieve just that and ultimately reduce the risk of conditions like metabolic syndromes and type 2 diabetes. 

• Aside from its impact on one's physical health, regular exercise boosts your mental health and mood as well. While exercising, the body releases chemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin, known as the 'happy hormones', they help in making you feel more relaxed, thus improving your mood. Ultimately, it helps deal with stress, and manage anxiety. It also increases your sensitivity to serotonin and norepinephrine — hormones that can ease feelings of depression.

Hiking tips: 

When embarking on a journey in nature, it is recommended to take some precautionary measures to ensure a positive experience. Factors such as attire, nourishment and protection may potentially seem miniscule, however, they have the ability to make or break your hiking experience. A few are mentioned below:

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  First and foremost, it is of utmost importance that you prioritise protecting your feet. The most suitable type of shoes would be well-fitting and comfortable shoes, that also keep your feet dry, "The appropriate sock is going to wick away any moisture,” says Dr. Kampert. We would love to recommend The ABDEEZ Wudhu Socks, meticulously designed to be the ultimate outdoor socks. These tri-layered socks feature an outer layer of durable nylon, a middle layer of waterproof membrane, and an inner layer of soft bamboo fiber, ensuring that no water seeps through these waterproof socks. They are breathable, moisture-wicking, anti-odor, and highly durable. With added thermal regulation, these socks provide both comfort and functionality, making them an ideal choice for those in need of socks suitable for any terrain 
  
  
  
  For Muslim travelers, these socks are that much more essential as they are 100% Shariah compliant and masah-friendly.  DEENIN's products, like Wudhu Socks, are designed to provide the convenience and flexibility needed to perform religious duties without compromise. This commitment to supporting Muslim travelers allows them to embark on their journeys with confidence, knowing they can uphold their faith no matter where they are as we ultimately aim to provide Muslims with a sense of confidence and comfort in fulfilling their religious responsibilities anytime, anywhere.

• Moving on, as you exercise and your heart rate rises, it's highly likely to become overheated and start sweating. In order to prevent this, it's vital that you dress in layers that can easily be removed.
  
  In addition to the most appropriate attire for hiking, it is suitable to prioritize sun protection as well, wearing lightweight and fully covering clothing not only protects our skin from sun damage but also from unknown, harmful entities found in nature such as ticks, poisonous plants, etc. Furthermore, it is advised to wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher half an hour before going outdoors to achieve adequate UV protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher when engaging in outdoor activities

• As mentioned previously, the act of increased sweating can increase the chances of dehydration, even in cold weather. It's always advised to bring a bottle of water to hydrate and some sort of snack such as; trail mix, protein bars, etc. to replenish while hiking. 

“As you improve your exercise capacity, your all-cause mortality rate actually decreases,” notes sports medicine physician Matthew Kampert, DO, MS

So, slip on your ABDEEZ Wudhu Socks, lace up those hiking boots, grab a water bottle, some sunscreen, and get out to your nearest park or hiking trail to reap the rewards in all its glory.