January 2, 2018
Many Americans love the great outdoors because of the full-sensory experience. After all, there’s nothing quite like cool fresh air, the sound of a river, the view of a beach shoreline, and the feel of the ground crunching beneath your hiking boots.
But aside from sights, sounds and smells, there are other reasons to love the great outdoors. As it turns out, paddleboarding, climbing, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities have significant health benefits that contribute to you living a longer and more fulfilling life.
If you’re a regular adventurer, here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t stop living your daydream anytime soon. Here are some surprising health benefits…
Cardiac health improves with exercise, but jogging around your neighborhood can only be so exciting. Outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing and rollerblading improve both muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. In fact, rollerblading is one of the top sports for cardiovascular health, according to the American Heart Association. It improves both heart rate and blood circulation.
When you go out on an adventure, you’re more likely to experience situations that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills not only improve your innovation skills but also help you cope with everyday uncertainties. Overall, these two things can help to reduce lifestyle stress.
The hippocampus of the brain tends to reduce in size once you pass the age of 50. This shrinkage can cause memory loss as we age. However, studies have shown that people can actually improve the size of their hippocampi by 2 percent by going on regular hikes and walks. Therefore, not only can adventure travel improve your cardiovascular health and critical thinking but it can also improve your memory.
When people are more exposed to the changing temperatures of the outdoors and the natural world’s dirt and grime, it helps to improve the immune system. This means the more time you spend outdoors, the less likely you are to suffer from colds, the flu, and other viruses. So, to stay healthy, head out to your local outdoor retail store, and outfit yourself to enjoy a new passion.
Outdoor exploration and activities can be incredibly exciting and fulfilling. To get the equipment you need to start your own adventure, visit an outdoor retailer near you today.
Contact us if you want to start on your next outdoor adventure.