New year, another new journey! With COVID-19 still in the play this 2021, people across the country will be embracing more physical and outdoor activity. Why so? Because without career milestones, like a new nameplate on a desk or a fancy corner office, people may not feel as if they are achieving as much. The anxiety, stress, and loneliness of working from home can easily lead to depression or cabin fever. But often so, it also frees up a lot of time otherwise spent commuting. That is no wonder, why outdoor activities, especially trail-hiking is spiking.
Doing trail-hiking is probably the easiest new sport to take up. No lessons needed, and it would just be a matter of playing it smart and starting out with the right gear for safety and comfort. A good pair of shoes, a warm jacket and just a few other essentials, including a Tx foldable poles would do.
Few lessons and benefits that should be learned and earned while trail-hiking:
1. Boost your mood!
Trail-hiking is an excellent mood booster because it combines the physiological benefits of exercise with the mental health benefits of being surrounded by nature and socializing with other people on the trail. But also always remember that your day’s journey is only one set of steps along each individual’s overall path.
2. The length and speed of the hike are important, but so is the quality of the trail.
It’s interesting how and why different trail-hikers choose to cover routes of varying lengths and difficulties. Regardless of the speed, it’s important to try to appreciate the journey and the company you’re with.
3. You can go at it alone, or with a partner or in a group.
Trail-hiking alone can sometimes be spiritually cleansing and renewing, especially for a person who finds solemnity within. Though hiking with a partner, or even in a group is not discouraging as it can improve the strength and health of your relationships.
Lastly, you should take a look at how far you’ve come! Nothing can be more crystal clear than that unblocked view from the top. It’s the million-dollar Kodak moment. The reward, however brief, is that moment of clarity that you experience. It’s that glimpse of beauty where we acknowledge that we’ve earned what we are experiencing. It’s important to celebrate the wins often and visibly! That said, however, it is indeed important to figure out what your next act is – how to descend and what to plan for next time. Part of the challenge of reaching your peak is the coming down period afterward. While it means easier than the ascent, on some level, it can also mean a bit of a lunchbox letdown. This is why clarity of your overall vision is so important because it puts all of the individual milestones you achieve into perspective.
How are you coping with this pandemic? Tell us your strategies in the comment section.
Happy trail-hiking!