Wanna see amazing views and perhaps some wildlife? Hiking is fun and majority of the time, can be done at no cost. There is no telling what you'll find in the trails whether it's animal tracks or birds flying overhead. You can hike the same trail over and over again... yet discover something new each time. Hiking outdoors is full of surprises. It's a great way for children to use their imagination. Hiking outdoors is very beneficial from physical to mental wellbeing.
There are many therapeutic benefits of hiking, such as:
Strengthens your bones, joints, and muscles.
Relieves stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Improves memory retention and mental ability.
Absorbs vitamin D, which helps boost your energy levels.
Releases your inner artistic and creative side.
Hiking Burns calories and helps you lose weight.
Lowers the risk of cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.
Improves the quality of air you breathe, by cleansing your lungs.
Improves and maintains mental and physical fitness.
Hiking helps to keep your brain cells nourished and healthy.
Before heading on the hiking trail you need to Plan and Pack:
Make sure to bring a map or know your route.
Bring along a friend and get double the fun and have company and safety. Due to the nature of covid-19, it is easy to socially distance outdoors and especially on a hiking trail. If going alone, let someone know where you are going and the time you plan to return back home.
Dress for success: Wear well-fitting clothing and footwear. Such as hiking boots and comfortable clothes.
Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and don't forget your snacks!
Lastly DON’T forget to have lots of fun exploring the outdoors.
Fun things to do along the way with your children:
Play I-Spy - you can get creative and do this with colors, animals or even flowers/trees!
Go on a nature scavenger hunt. Prepare a list of neat things your child(ren) can find along the way, such as: rocks, flowers, leaves, etc.
Use a compass - have your child engage in the hiking trail by determining the direction you’re going.
Sing songs - it’s always so much fun, why not sing outside and be as loud as you want to be OR as quiet as you want to be! It’s great to practice both!
Identify sounds of nature - have your child work on quiet listening skills to identify nature sounds around you on your hike.
When you go on your hike, be sure to tag us at @ChampionPediatricTherapy so we can tune in on your fun!