Spending time in nature is one of the best and most rewarding ways to improve your day. Outdoor excursions, particularly hiking, are excellent for exercising, clearing your mind, and reconnecting with Mother Nature. While the experience always aims to be pleasant, you must be mindful to enjoy your time fully.
Adequate planning beforehand will help you embark on your trek more prepared and relaxed. Your plans will largely depend on the type of hike, your familiarity with the trail, and the weather conditions. While every hiker has their own preferences, some tips are essential for all outside explorers to remember. Here are a few ways to make your nature excursions even more enjoyable.
1. Dress for Success
You’ll want to dress comfortably and appropriately for your outdoor adventures. Remember to account for factors like the weather, sweating, the heat index, and protection against irritants. Moisture-wicking materials like nylon or polyester are preferable to cotton since they dry faster and make you less sweaty. The right shoes are also crucial for an enjoyable hike, so select comfortable yet sturdy shoes or boots that fit well. Don’t forget the minor stuff, like hats and sunglasses for sun protection and thick socks to protect against blisters.
The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune at an outdoor store to look and feel your best. You can find online retailers that offer discounted Carhartt and great deals on other high-quality brands. Shopping secondhand is another savvy money-saving strategy. Many other brands like Patagonia, REI, and North Face have sites selling used gear, enabling you to save a few dollars without sacrificing quality.
2. Fuel Your Body
In order to have the energy you need to tackle the trail ahead, it’s important to properly fuel your body. Adequate hydration, balanced meals, and good timing are all factors to keep in mind. Drink plenty of water before heading outside, and bring a water bottle to slake your on-trail thirst. Staying adequately hydrated is the best line of defense against fatigue and heat-related maladies. Selecting an electrolyte-rich drink is also a good idea if you anticipate lots of sweating and hot weather.
As for food, eat a balanced pre-hike meal full of proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Whole grains, lean meats, vegetables, and fruits are the best options for giving your body the energy it requires. To avoid discomfort and digestive issues, stay away from heavy meals filled with processed or greasy foods before exercising outdoors. Timing is also important, so eat a larger meal one to two hours before hiking or a small snack 30 minutes beforehand.
3. Download a Plant Identification App
Turn your outdoor trek into a fun learning experience by downloading a phone app that identifies plants. Taking photos of a beautiful flower for social media is great, but these apps take it to the next level. Indeed, identification apps have come a long way in the last few years. Besides instantly IDing plants, they can expand your plant-based knowledge and alert you to plants that are potentially poisonous or invasive.
Using these apps is simple and generally starts with enabling geolocation on your phone for more accurate identification. Next, use your camera to zoom in on the plant, ensuring it’s in-frame and in-focus with a neutral background. The app will compare the image to the others in its database and give you information on potential matches. The best part is that most of these apps are free in addition to being user-friendly.
4. Protect Yourself
Protecting yourself from outdoor hazards like the sun’s harmful rays and pesky bugs is crucial to an enjoyable, safe experience. Therefore, use sunscreen and bug spray when outdoors, especially in summer. Mosquitoes are one of the biggest pests since they can carry diseases and leave you with itchy, irritating bites. The CDC recommends products with active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus to fight off both mosquitoes and ticks.
Wearing sunscreen outdoors is one of the most effective tools to protect yourself from developing skin cancer. You’ll want to select a formula that screens out both UVA and UVB rays. Choose a lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. One ounce of sunscreen, or enough to fill a shot glass, is generally needed for proper coverage. You should reslather yourself after two hours or if you’ve been sweating or swimming, even if your sunscreen is water-resistant.
Exploring the Great Outdoors
Spending time outside has remarkable benefits, which are even better when you’re prepared and thoughtful about your experience. Use your outdoor adventure to disconnect from unnecessary technology, practice mindfulness, and reconnect with what’s important.
Depending on your mood, you can either bring a companion along or hit the trail solo. On the one hand, exploring nature with another person is a beautiful opportunity for connection. Your companion doesn’t have to be a human friend either, since dogs are fantastic hiking buddies. On the other hand, time spent alone in the great outdoors is an amazing way to unwind and clear your mind. Just practice extra safety measures and tell someone where you’re headed and how long you’ll be gone.
No matter what way you choose to experience the outdoors, experiencing nature is a surefire way to improve your day.. Just remember to keep your feet on the ground, your mind curious, and your heart open.