Trekking, or hiking, is a sport that has gained a lot of popularity in recent decades. Much of its success is due to its immense physical and mental benefits. We will review the psychological benefits in this article.
March 4, 2023 5:34 am
It is one of the exercises that has gained the most popularity in recent years, in part due to its exceptional mental health benefits. Despite not having a long history, more and more people know and are encouraged to try this sport.
In short, trekking is an adventure sport that consists of walking through natural lands, be it forests, mountains, canyons, valleys, or caves. It is a sport that requires a great aerobic capacity, and also allows you to be completely immersed in nature. For outdoor sports lovers, trekking is a fantastic opportunity to get in shape while enjoying the environment.
Above all, it is worth remembering that the healthiest activity is not only for the body, but also for the mind. Therefore, below we introduce the benefits of the mind for health.
1. This requires your mind to be alert
Irrekking is unique in that it is a sport that requires the mind to work 100%. It is only absent as a passive activity, the anointing of a person’s cognitive abilities.
Walking through nature is nice, but you can’t be drawn to the city. Pay attention to tracks, local conditions or unexpected events that arise. In addition, it requires a careful plan to follow the path, having enough flexibility to change it if unexpected events arise.
All of the above transfers into an increase in brain oxygenation during activity. In the long run it means greater brain preservation and resistance to premature aging.
2. Increases feelings of self-worth
There are few things more comforting in life than the challenges one sets out to face. Trekking is a sport that constantly overcomes the challenges and obstacles of nature. This is one reason why it feels good after a walk.
The aim is to increase this feeling of competition by being endowed with freedom in the real world. Both factors contribute to generating strong positive emotion. After all, the basic needs of all human beings are actions, such as the need for competence, autonomy or determination.
3. They involve basic motivational aspects
Motivation is an essential part of starting and staying in any activity. If the activity itself does not generate that motivation, the athlete must work to generate it himself. Fortunately, trekking itself provides optimal levels of motivation.
According to an article from the National Institute of Physical Education in Ireland, trekking involves motivational factors related to the formation of healthy habits, the quality of leisure and consequently the improvement in the quality of life.
This is because motivation does not only involve what is limited to physical activity, but goes further and covers the hidden aspects of man’s life.
4. Allows you to disconnect from the routine
Day by day it is normal for one to accumulate tension, but you need to find spaces that allow you to release excess tension. Otherwise, the accumulated tension can manifest itself in the form of physical illness or mental weakness.
Trekking is an ideal exercise for disconnection from the exercise load rather than for the actual activity for the space in which it is performed. Being in a natural environment is very different from the usual work and breathing fresh air, it is very freeing and disorientating. It is a major benefit of outdoor sports compared to those that are practiced in a closed space.
Trekking is a very useful sport for mental health
It is true that all sports provide benefits for mental and physical health, but in outdoor sports, the benefits are enhanced by the environment in which it takes place. There is nothing more refreshing than getting out of your usual surroundings and breathing in some fresh air.
Trekking is a sport that we could call a “new creature”, but it is here to stay. More and more people are attracted by its benefits and decide to try it. If you are thinking of giving it a try, we recommend that you do so, you have nothing to lose and you will experience the benefits in the first walk.
With information from betterhealth
