By: Shelly Buse, PT
Are you getting bored on the treadmill, or tired of staring at those basement or gym walls? We love and encourage a commitment to exercise and improving your health, but it doesn’t have to be monotonous. The fall season is a wonderful time to get out and take a hike! Cooler temperatures, the beauty of changing leaves, and fall traditions are all great reasons to get outside. There are many benefits to hiking and numerous trails within a short driving distance from Kansas City.
Fresh air, sunshine, and nature can have profound benefits to our physical and mental well-being. Sunshine, for example, is a great way to get natural vitamin D. Getting in those extra rays in the fall season can help build your body’s reserves as we head in to winter where it’s rare to get adequate vitamin D from the sun, especially in our region. Getting outdoors in the sunshine also helps manage our wake-sleep cycle and can help us get more restful sleep at night. The sights and sounds of nature can improve mood and activate our parasympathetic system that helps to regulate our flight or fight response. This relaxing effect can help calm the mind, reduce our daily mental load, anxieties, and may even help boost creativity!
The physical activity of hiking is great exercise. It is low impact, but offers a variability of challenges to our muscles depending on the terrain. It benefits the cardiovascular system, and because it is a weight bearing activity, it helps with bone density. Throw on a backpack, and that will of course increase your cardiovascular demand and help further stimulate bone. Another well-known benefit to any type of exercise is the release of endorphins. These are the feel-good hormones that we can all appreciate! With an uneven terrain, you challenge your balance as well, in a way that your treadmill cannot. However, if balance is a concern of yours, grab a walking stick. It can assist with safety on uneven terrain, and improve energy conservation if you are working on building endurance.
Depending on the length and your familiarity of the terrain, it’s always good to be prepared. Make sure you have on supportive footwear, dress in layers, have sunscreen ready, and stay hydrated. Keep your personal safety on the forefront. Consider lighting needs if you plan to be out late, bug/animal deterrents, and make sure to have a fully charged up cell phone. It’s wise to share your plans and/or location with a loved one, especially if venturing out on your own.
Here are a couple of links to check out with recommendations on local trails. The first link has trails within about 30 minutes from the Kansas City Metro. And the 2nd link is for those venturing out on a day trip, perhaps, with trails in about 3 hours or less from the Kansas City metro. Enjoy!
https://www.visitkc.com/visitors/things-do/attractions/hiking-and-around-kansas-city
https://www.kansascityhiker.com/day-trips
Posted in Bariatric Fitness