It's probably no surprise that hiking is good for your health, but you might be surprised that the benefits range from head to toe!
We partnered with our friends at SAIL to showcase the benefits of hiking for the mind and body:
Benefits for your brain
Get creative! A hike can encourage creative thinking. Research has shown that spending time outdoors can increase your attention span and creative problem-solving skills by up to 50%.
Relax: The sounds of nature along the way - such as birds and rushing water - have been shown to lower the stress level.
Recharge your batteries: A walk in the woods can help alleviate mental exhaustion.
Get Social: Hitting the trails with family and friends is a great way to hang out and bond over something you enjoy.
Benefits for your body
Toning Your Upper Body: Adding hiking poles will ensure that your upper body is also exercised well. Your shoulders, arms and back will thank you!
Healthy Heart: Regular exercise like walking is good for cardiovascular health and can help reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Give the Bones a Boost: Hiking is a weight bearing exercise that means you can increase bone density on the trails.
Give your joints a break: the softer surface means that paths are easier on the joints than walking on sidewalks or paved roads.
Tighten Your Lower Body: Hiking is great for toning muscles, especially in quads, glutes, and hamstrings. Add in some hills or uneven terrain for an even better cardio workout and burn more calories.
Choose your next adventure!
Ontario Parks offers 1,800 miles of hiking trails that range from easy family-friendly trails to challenging trails for the more adventurous. Here is a small selection of what's available in Ontario parks across the province:
Rondeau Provincial Park: Tulip Tree Path
Hiking is good for your health