Is soft hiking the slow-paced health trend you need?
Soft hiking is the latest fitness fad taking off on social media. Rather than racing to your destination, it celebrates savouring the journey.
Instead of breaking a sweat, a new social media wellness trend is urging us to stop and smell the roses.
Soft hiking – a term made popular on TikTok with more than 1.1m views – promotes accessible, casual activity with an emphasis on mindfulness.
“It’s about getting your body moving, even if you are not a seasoned hiker, slowing down and immersing yourself in the experience of the outdoors rather than the pursuit of a destination,” Walking SA executive director Sharon Kelsey says.
But does slowing down to enjoy the journey have any real benefit?
Why you should slow to a walk
Any form of regular exercise is highly beneficial for our overall health and fitness.
Walking is particularly good for cardiovascular health, improving blood circulation and strengthening the heart muscles.
And researchers from the University of Cambridge found just 11 minutes of walking a day can also lower the risk of stroke and many forms of cancer.
“Hiking can improve your physical health, support your emotional and mental wellbeing, help you build confidence, improve your self-esteem, and give you a sense of achievement, regardless of what pace you set,” Trail Hiking Australia founder Darren Edwards says.
Take time to smell the roses
A growing body of research suggests spending time in nature can help reduce stress and promote healing.
“Walking slowly allows you to appreciate the smaller things, quiet your mind, truly feel immersed, and be at peace in the environment around you,” Darren says.
“Hiking may not be the answer to all of life’s problems, but it will help improve your quality of life.”
It can also help make our minds sharper, according to a study that found exposure to green spaces improves cognitive function.
And spending time outdoors in the sunlight promotes vitamin D production, which is essential for healthy bones, immune function, mood and wellbeing.
Want to give soft hiking a try?
Sharon says the beauty of soft hiking is that it is accessible to everyone.
“You can slow hike by yourself, with a friend, in a group or as part of an organised tour,” she says.
Darren says if you’re just going for a soft hike in your local area, all you need to do is put one foot in front of the other.
“When you consider the physical, health, psychological, emotional, and mental health benefits of hiking there really is no reason not to head out into the wilderness and start exploring our amazing country,” he says.
But if you plan to hit the trails, you should still observe basic hiking safety practices, such as telling someone where you’re going and packing a map and supplies.
Other tips to consider for soft hiking:
- Pick an easy trail that’s not too steep
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
- Forget about pace, mileage and heart rate
- Enjoy the view!
More reasons to get outside:
- Why ‘going bush’ might be just what the doctor ordered
- Take a hike: 8 of Australia’s best trails to explore
- Can grounding (connecting with the earth’s energy) boost your health?
- 5 ways green action can boost your health and wellbeing
Written by Dimity Barber.
