Picnic to small hills – Health benefits

Picnics and trips are always best stress busting activities. A picnic to small hill has its own health benefits. Hill climbing acts as a best cardio exercise. When we climb hill with friends and family members it acts as a best stress buster. Thus we can reap the maximum health benefits. Make sure that hill you have chosen to climb is safe. It must have well maintained steps. It is always ideal to plan this trip with a group. Invite likeminded people who are health savvy and fit to climb. People who practice cardio workout daily for 45 minutes can plan this type of picnics.

Start at early hours of day. Pack your back pack with water, energy drink, napkin, sandwiches, cookies, chocolates, fruits and a small mat. Wear comfortable sports shoes and lose sportswear. Do not forget to carry a small camera to click rare pictures of nature.

When you reach the base of hill, park the car around 500 meters away from the starting point. A brisk walk for 5-10 minutes warms up the body and prepares it for a climb. Start climbing steps in a steady pace. If you feel tiered rest for a while or slow down your pace and start climbing again. Sip water in between if needed.

Enjoy the moment when you reach the hill top. Now it is time for fun and joy. Climbing down the hill is not a difficult task.

Health Benefits of climbing steps-

Climbing steps of a hill is an aerobic workout. It offers variety of health benefits. It increases blood flow to all parts of body and help to release feel good hormones or endorphins. Endorphins reduce stress level and boost body immunity. Climbing steps increases body energy and lowers risk of diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and heart diseases. This activity also helps to lose weight. Climbing small hills provides maximum fitness to athletes and sports persons. It tones up legs and keeps heart healthy. Climbing up steps helps to build several muscles in your lower body, such as the gluteus, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. Building muscles burn calories.

Fat around belly is very detrimental to health. It can lead to hypertension, cancer and heart diseases. Climbing steps reduces belly fat effectively.

Doing yoga or meditation atop hill doubles the health benefits of hill climbing. These activities combines together keep both body and mind healthy.

Caution: Everyone is not fit to climb steps. People, who suffer from heart diseases, joint pain, arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, have to consult their physician before planning this outing.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda help through ayurveda consultations

Read article at Picnic to small hills drsavithasuri@gmail.com