GETTING OUT OF A RUT OR ROUTINE

Hiking motivates women who might be stuck in a rut or a routine that no longer serves them. How could this be true? Can hiking make that big of a change in someone’s life? Hiking or walking itself is a healthful endeavor, physically, mentally, and spiritually. There are many studies that talk about all the health benefits that occur from just moving our bodies, let alone the benefits of being in the wilderness. Forest bathing and its benefits are the real thing. Here are a few of the benefits: It lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease, combats diabetes, tackles obesity, reduces anxiety and depression, improves sleep, helps build strong muscles and bones, improves arthritis, and helps with balance, especially if you are hiking on an uneven trail.

There is no reason to limit what you think hiking is. Anytime you are moving from point A to point B out in nature, even if your heart rate only slightly rises, you are now hiking. Add a backpack, and now you get a full-body workout.

There are some things to do to prepare for hiking, especially if you are hoping to get into some longer distances. Protect your feet; socks that wick away moisture are a necessity. Dress in layers, so you can easily remove what you don’t need. Stay hydrated. You can dehydrate even in cold weather, so bring your water. Know your surroundings. Have your cell phone charged, and maybe even have a compass app. Also, especially if you are hiking alone, let someone know where you are going or take a friend.

As women, partially due to menopause, raising children, or possibly even caring for aging parents, along with juggling jobs, we tend to slow down when we reach our 50’s. We are spending less and less time outdoors. Let’s take a look at a new fitness or mindfulness practice, which is actually a little bit of both: forest bathing. Another name for forest bathing is “taking in the forest atmosphere". There are two reasons initially for forest bathing: to inspire people to reconnect and protect the forests, and as an eco-antidote to tech burnout. We women may add to tech burnout—the burnout of being a woman with a job and family. The science that supports being outdoors in the wild is that being in nature is good for us.

So how could hiking get us out of this routine or rut? The act of coming home, cooking dinner, caring for everyone else, and sitting down, maybe with a book or in front of the TV? There are so many groups, even women over 50, that have taken to the trails. Get online and look for a group. You can start with a Meetup. This is one site that has thousands of groups; you can pick your location, your activity, your age, your speed, or how much or how often you would like to hike. There you have it, company. You may be hoping for someone to hold you accountable so you can just get out the door, or maybe find a new friend to spend some girl time with. They might be that little bit of encouragement you need to get outside and get moving.

So, let’s break out of our routine of forgetting ourselves and caring only for others, which can end with us sitting in front of the TV and getting outside for a hike at least once a week. As I have mentioned, it has been proven to be a powerful and possibly lifesaving activity, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

“Every hike provides unique opportunities to see the sky above you, feel the earth beneath you, and feel the peace within you," says Dr. Kampert.