There arehiking trailsall over the country, and the best part aboutgoing on a hike?

It’s such an affordable activity to do.

The calorie burn is extraordinary, and your knees and ankles will thank you!

senior couple demonstrating the hiking habits to slow aging while on a fall hike

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Altitude is king when it comes to losing weight!

And the sweetest thing about thiscardioworkout?

Your lower body really exerts itself while you’re hiking, specifically your glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

senior couple fall hiking

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Some individuals even add weights.

A heavy bag will work your hamstrings quite a bit, too.

But beware; if you’re not in good shape, you will feel the pain afterward.

male photographer doing fall hike in countryside, hiking habits that slow aging

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It decreases your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Hiking targets your muscles, which transports glucose out of your bloodstream to provide energy.

Research also indicates that physical activity like hiking may even help with breast cancer recovery.

woman hiking downhill in the fall

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It’s a natural stress reliever.

A good old-fashioned hike fills the soul with so much goodness.

Research has shown that spending time in nature helps alleviate stress (viaHarvard Health Publishing).

female hiker demonstrating the hiking habits that slow aging, sipping tea atop mountain

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Astudyperformed by the University of East Anglia found that higherexposure to green spaceis related to good health.

The research involved a worldwide review of data from over 290 million individuals.

Our study shows that the size of these benefits can be enough to have a meaningful clinical impact."

happy group of friends on a fall hike

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Sounds like fresh air in the great outdoors can be the best thing for your body.

It’s a great activity to enjoy with friends or a loved one.

Spending time together can be time well-spent for your relationship.

happy woman demonstrating the hiking habits that slow aging in the fall

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Your mental health will thank you.

Getting outside on the trails is a huge mood booster andworks wonders for your mental health.

Hiking can also reduce the risk of feeling depressed, according to research.

One example is astudypublished in theProceedings of the National Academy of Science.

The findings reveal that individuals who walk in nature are less likely to be depressed.