Daniel Amoruso

Professor Sobiesk

ENG-170

3/6/22

Research Paper

For almost all of recorded history, humans have explored the world. Whether it be out of curiosity or with a purpose, people have traversed landscapes of almost every kind. Hiking has come to be a positive part of many people’s lives. Hiking provides significant health and social benefits that overall improve quality of life.

One important aspect of hiking is that it teaches people respect and appreciation for nature. Early on in the history of this country, hiking was starting to gain a much more mainstream appeal. “Throughout the twentieth century hiking was linked to a love of the outdoors, and was a means by which to express a connection to the land.” (Clark, 405). Getting out and witnessing nature firsthand helps people understand why it is so important that we protect our land for future generations. Some of the most important naturists found their love of nature this way, such as Theodore Roosevelt. Not only was he president of the United States, but he established multiple national forests, parks, and monuments all over the country. He has had a lasting impact on nature throughout the nation, preserving our wildlife for the foreseeable future. If more people saw the world through the eyes of figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, we would be living in a much healthier environment, without worries of de-forestation or water quality.

Many people partake in hiking for the social benefit that it can provide. Socialization is a very important human necessity. It can be seen a “…sense of togetherness and equality that allows a community to share a common experience…” (Collins, 669) and is a fantastic way of making acquaintances, friends, or more. There are plenty of groups and clubs that engage in hiking. Getting to explore a trail with a group of friends or people that you have a common interest in is a great way to strike up a conversation or get to know people better. Either way, you get to do something you enjoy with other people who share those feelings. For people who might not have many opportunities to socialize and meet people or are just struggling to find ways to do so, hiking can reveal an entire new world. Socializing often can improve someone’s confidence and self-esteem, both of which have been proven to increase overall quality of life. Socializing has also been proven to sharpen cognitive skills by talking to other people. It can even make you an overall healthier person that will live longer. These benefits should be seen as crucial to everyone, and convince more people to find other people interested in this great hobby.

Hiking is a great way for people to stay in shape and life a healthy, active lifestyle. It is a proven fact that exercise “…improves insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, triglyceride clearance from blood, and reduces fat mass, subclinical infammation and body weight.” (Drexel, 1). A fantastic way to get exercise without having to pay for a gym membership or spend a lot of money is hiking. All you have to do is step outdoors and find a local trail to explore. Being outdoors in the fresh air not only allows you to clear your mind but also gain great health benefits, whether it be building stronger muscles and bones or improving your sense of balance, which are both things that become increasingly important as you grow older. Certain types of trails are more difficult to do than others, but there are multiple different options for people to explore in order to pace themselves. If you are much more new, you can do a lighter exercise by exploring a trail that is shorter and less strenuous. If you are more experienced however, you can get an intense workout by taking a more difficult trail that is longer.

Some people might just enjoy the beautiful scenery that can be found when going hiking. If you just enjoy the great outdoors in general, going hiking is a great way to experience the best of what nature has to offer. There are plenty of fascinating natural parks, resorts, among other places to visit that help to preserve nature as best as possible. If you want, you can even travel abroad and see the vast landscapes and climates that someone’s home country might not offer. There are also many cave systems available to explore, where you can find “…claustrophobia inducing depths…” (Holloway, 112). It’s also a fantastic way to get out of your comfort zone and experience something that you would normally have the chance to experience. For people who don’t get outside too often or just don’t see a reason as to why they should, exploring nature’s landscapes and getting to see the wildlife and nature might convince them to change their opinions and be more open. It is also a great way to engage in other cultures from around the world, and become more understanding of others. By seeing different parts of the world it is easier to understand cultural differences and the barriers that can rise from these differences.

In conclusion, there are many different benefits that one can experience from going into the great outdoors and participating in hiking.

 

 

Works Cited

Clark, Dylan. “Hiking.” St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, edited by Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast, vol. 2, St. James Press, 2000, pp. 405-406. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3409001145/GVRL?u=newpaltz&sid=bookmark-GVRL&xid=0863c95f. Accessed 16 Feb. 2022.

Collins, Kreiner, Noga, and Nurit Kliot. “Why Do People Hike? Hiking the Israel National Trail.” Tijdschrift Voor Economische En Sociale Geografie (Journal of Economic & Social Geography), vol. 108, no. 5, Oct. 2017, pp. 669–87. EBSCOhost, doi.org/10.1111/tesg.12245.

Drexel, Heinz, et al. “Downhill Hiking Improves Low-Grade Inflammation, Triglycerides, Body Weight and Glucose Tolerance.” Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, July 2021, pp. 1–8. EBSCOhost, doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93879-1.

HOLLOWAY, MARGUERITE. “Hiking Underground.” Scientific American, vol. 291, no. 3, Scientific American, a division of Nature America, Inc., 2004, pp. 112–14, http://www.jstor.org/stable/26060693.