Many people enjoy taking a walk outside, and hiking is simply that–just on the next level. While hiking may seem like just a stroll through nature, there’s a lot more to hiking than merely walking outside. Hiking can improve your physical health, your social life, your mindset, and your self-esteem. To see some of the ways that hiking improves a life, take a look at these four areas of self-improvement. As you’ll see, there’s a lot more to hiking than meets the eye.

Your Social Life

Hiking is enjoyable alone. Many people, however, choose to hike in groups. While you may not look as majestic as the Fellowship of the Ring striding through Middle Earth, you might feel that majestic. Hiking in a group allows for great conversations and a shared experience. Beauty is often more appreciated when we can point it out to others and share in the wonder together.
Since there are many hiking enthusiasts out there, joining together with a group of hikers could give you a great community. Your shared love of hiking may very well bond you and create a group of people you’ll be proud to know for a lifetime.

Your Body

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that hiking is good for your body. Most exercise improves your overall health, and hiking is no exception. Hiking can lower your risk of heart disease, lower your blood sugar and blood pressure, strengthen your core, improve your balance, build muscle strength in your legs, and even build bone density. Fresh air, coupled with each of these health-improvements, makes hiking a great idea for health, all around.

Your Mind

More than just having a positive effect on your body, hiking can also have a positive effect on your mind. Nature often has a soothing effect, and there’s a reason we listen to nature sounds to help restore our calm. Wide open nature can boost our moods, since as humans, we’re still programmed to live outside. Getting our dose of nature can reduce anxiety and stress and help turn our life-outlook to something more hopeful.
 

Your Confidence

Hiking isn’t just about good health or better moods. It’s also about accomplishments. More advanced hiking terrain is a feat you can always be proud of achieving. It’s no wonder there are Hiking Posters and Stickers for Hiking and Travel Enthusiasts. When you accomplish something great, you want to brag about it. That list of hiking-accomplishments can help you feel better about yourself and boost your confidence higher and higher. So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your self-esteem, hiking might be the way to go.
 

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