Hiking is a fun and engaging outdoor activity that is often overlooked by busy students. Think about it. When was the last time you took a long walk that wasn’t just around campus or around your neighborhood? Between homework, social media, and everything else going on in our lives, many students may not think twice about spending more of their free time outdoors.
Hiking, or even just stepping onto a nearby trail and going on a good walk, can do more than give you fresh air; it can also make you healthier and calmer. Hiking serves to boost cardiovascular health and fitness, along with toning your legs and core muscles, and it improves balance, according to the Harvard Health article “Hike Your Way To Better Health.”
The American Hiking Society reports that regular hiking can lower blood pressure, reduce stress levels, lift your mood, and even regulate hormone levels. Spending time outdoors and hiking can help clear mental fog and give you clarity, helping you to better focus on homework and academics. If you replace an hour of screen time with an hour going out hiking or using a trail, you may notice your energy and concentration improve.
Additionally, going on more advanced hikes and walking on uneven ground can burn more calories and engage different muscles throughout the body, a bonus over just walking on flat terrain. This makes hiking a practical and meaningful way to keep your body healthy and well-maintained if added to your weekly schedule.
Luckily, you don’t need to travel far to find good hiking trails. There are several good options around Milpitas or in proximity to the South Bay. Some good trails for starters can be found at local parks such as Alviso Marina County Park, Ed R. Levin County Park, and Alum Rock Park, all of which have an abundance of paths and trails for long fruitful walks.
If you want more of a challenge, some intermediate hikes include the hike up to the Mission Peak Summit, a summit hike of roughly six miles and taking four hours, according to AllTrails. This hike may be challenging for newcomers; but at the summit you’ll be greeted with rewarding views and a powerful sense of success after overcoming a hurdle.
Of course, to ensure your safety and the success of your hike, you should make sure to follow a few steps. Make sure to wear durable shoes with good grip, bring lots of water to stay hydrated, bring sunscreen, and dress appropriately.
Furthermore, you should also start with shorter routes and get to know your pace. Also, choose trails that match your fitness level and slowly build more tolerance for long hikes, which require more endurance, according to Harvard Health.
If you want to build a habit of hiking and going on extended walks outdoors, you should aim for consistency rather than pursuing extremes. Hiking should become part of your routine since your health gains are compounded over time, as stated by the American Hiking Society.
So, give it a try! Go out and pick a hike or trail that fits your energy level, and go outside to get moving. You might just discover that this could become a new regular hobby of yours and choose to pursue this weekly or even daily.
You may even inspire some friends to come and join you out on the trail. Whether it’s going on a weekend hike with friends, or simply inviting people to come walk along with you on a new trail, hiking can be a fun and inspiring undertaking that can help to strengthen connections and allow you to bond with others through new memories and shared experiences.
