Tyler Grasham, Author at Tyler Grasham

April 21, 2019

Breathing Tips to Improve Hiking Experience

Hiking remains my passion; after many years I still look forward to the next hiking adventure. In this post, I will be writing about some essential breathing tips you need to know before going on your next hiking adventure.

I am sure many people will agree that hiking on paths that lead them to higher altitudes is an amazing experience. At the highest point, you can reach the level of oxygen may be low because of the altitude. However, that won’t stop you from enjoying the experience and view at the top.

You will also find the tips I have compiled for this post helpful if you are just going on a normal but long hike. If you are the one who needs to rest very often when you go on a hiking trip, this post will also be an interesting read for you.

During a hiking experience, many parts of your body work together to help you get through the amazing experience. Your heart and lungs are like the ‘engines’ that support your muscles (arms and legs) during a hike. This is how it works; your lungs ensure breathing supplies enough oxygen to the bloodstream. This blood rich in oxygen is then circulated in your body, reaching the muscles in your arms and legs to support the work, and improve your endurance.

If you find out that you run out of breath too quickly during a hiking adventure, you are probably breathing in a wrong pattern, hence the sudden feeling of exhaustion soon after you start walking along the path you have chosen for hiking. – Tyler Grasham

Here are my top tips to help you enjoy a better hiking adventure without feeling exhausted or running out of breath too quickly;

Slow rhythmic breathing

You can gain more endurance by breathing slowly following a particular rhythm. This breathing pattern ensures your heart rate is consistent and your muscles get a steady supply of oxygen during the hiking experience.

Count your steps

You may learn to do this subconsciously over time, what’s more, after a few experiences; your mind becomes used to the breathing pattern. Counting your steps helps you avoid straining too much which can distort your breathing pattern when the heartbeat increases. So count your steps and flow with the inhale/exhale pattern.

Breathing through your nose

There have been many debates about breathing through your nose during a hiking exercise. It helps to protect your from allergens in the outdoors if you are prone to allergic reactions. However, from my experience breathing through the mouth is more effective. So, if you are worried about allergens, this is what you can do- inhale through your nostrils and exhale through your mouth. This way you can get enough oxygen in your blood to reach the muscles working so hard during the hiking experience.

It is also important to plan your hiking, know where the stops are and when to drink some water. When is your next hiking trip? Try these tips and don’t forget to share your experience.

April 14, 2019

How to Keep Your Property Safe When Hiking

It is important that you go with the right hiking gear and equipment during every hiking adventure. It is easy to overlook some stuff that may not seem very relevant, but you can never tell. Everything should be complete before you head out to enjoy an amazing hiking experience.

Your choice of hiking gear will depend on the trail you have chosen. However, there is some basic hiking equipment you must always have in your gear every time you go hiking. For example, you must carry along flashlights (even if you plan to go hiking and return before the sun goes down), water bottles, hunting knives, mobile phones, hats, sunglasses, cameras, compass or a map of the hiking trail, medication, and other essential tools you need.

Hiking is an exciting experience, it is now recommended to people for its health benefits, however, and hiking becomes a hobby after a while because it is quite addictive. Hiking ranks at the top when you mention favorite outdoor activities. When you go hiking, you can say it was a wonderful trip when you return safely with all your gear intact.

However, there have been so many cases where people report missing items; sadly they did not know where or when these items got lost during the hike. I will be writing about some tips and methods you can use to prevent your hiking stuff from getting lost.

It can be frustrating if you have to buy new hiking equipment for your gear every time; the following tips will help you avoid this situation;

Make an inventory

You can start by writing an inventory to identify all the items you have prepared to carry along during the trip. Your inventory should include the smallest and largest items. Study your inventory to know how these items can be securely stored.

Use a good hiking backpack

There are special backpacks that have been designed for hikers. These backpacks are designed to have multiple compartments where you can store your hiking gear securely. After studying your inventory, you can select the most appropriate places to store each of your hiking equipment.

Packing for your hiking trip

You should pack up your hiking items carefully; all items should be placed in the bag and securely locked. Backpacks can have zippers or secure clasps; you should check to ensure they are working properly.

Choose the right hiking clothes

You can choose clothes such as shirts and shorts that have extra pockets for storing stuff. You can keep small items such as mobile phones and hunting knives in your pockets to reach them easily when necessary.

Replace items in your backpacks

During breaks or when you need to take anything out of your hiking backpack, always ensure you keep it back into the backpack. For example, water bottles should be kept and secured after drinking.

It is also important that you keep all the compartments of your backpack locked at all times even after taking stuff out. No worries, this can quickly become a habit after a while. If it is convenient, you can also take a quick inventory to ensure nothing is lost.

There you go, apply these tips to avoid losing valuable stuff when next you go hiking. – Tyler Grasham

April 7, 2019

Water Management Strategies during a Hiking Trip

Water is about the essential resource when you are planning a hiking trip. If you have enough water, you are probably going to get through the ‘toughest part’ of the journey. I will be sharing some essential tips for water management to help you get through every hiking experience without getting stranded.

Hiking has become a favorite activity for so many people; this is not surprising because hiking is an amazing experience. I always look forward to my next hiking trip even when it is a path or trail I have passed before. Regardless of the trail or hiking plan, every new trip brings a different experience.

I can write a movie script from my hiking experiences, to give you an idea of how much fun I am having. Don’t get the wrong idea, there are other hiking items you need to pack along for the trip, but this post will be particularly about water management.

Permit me to state that you may also pack energy drinks and your favorite sodas but please avoid taking any alcohol along. After all, you will need to stay properly hydrated, and alcohol can make you feel dehydrated sooner. Also, if you are hiking during the hot weather, please know that alcohol and the heat do not go well. So stick with water.

Here are my tips for managing water when you go hiking

Start with a good plan

You need to plan for your hiking trip. This is not a difficult task at all; you can spend as little as thirty minutes every planning for your hiking trip about seven days before your chosen date. Your plans should include finding information about the path or trail you have chosen to explore, and determining the time it will take to complete the hike through the path.

You should also note any potential disruptive events that may slow down your hike or cause delays. For example, if you are hiking through a path that is used by a herd or other wild animals, you may need to wait for a while until the animals have moved away before you continue your hike.

Pack water for two

You can never be too careful, in the event of the unexpected, you should have extra water. It is a good idea to pack enough water for two people if you are hiking alone. If you are hiking in a group, every member should have enough water for two people.

Replenishing water reserves

You should also note areas along your hiking path where you can replenish water reserves. It is a good idea to not the distance in between these places, so you can manage water without exhausting your supply.

You can also pack portable water treatment sets if there are streams or rivers along the trail. If necessary, you may need to treat water from these natural sources for consumption quickly.

Drink water only when necessary

You should drink water when you feel weak, dizzy, or fatigued. You can also drink some water after urinating. However, avoid drinking too much water quickly as this can reduce your reserve.

In conclusion, don’t forget to pack some fruits such as bananas, and oranges, these fruits help replenish your electrolytes throughout the hiking adventure. – Tyler Grasham

March 24, 2019March 24, 2019

FRESH FOODS AND VEGETABLES FOR BETTER HEALTHY DIET

There are many varieties of vegetables and fruits available and there are many ways to cook, prepare and serve them. It is recommended that you should eat at least two kinds of fruit and five types of vegetables every day in order to attain good health. The importance of fruits and vegetables as part of your diet can never be overemphasized, this is why nutritionists and doctors advise their patients to always make consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables a part of their meal.

They are naturally good for the body because they contain minerals and vitamins that can help to keep the body healthy. They also help to boost the immune system and as such they protect against certain type of diseases. The health benefits from eating fruits and vegetables as part of your well-balanced, healthy, regular diet, and active lifestyle is enormous and should not be underestimated.

The interesting part is that there are different types of fruits and vegetables to choose from.

Vitamins and Minerals in Vegetables and Fruit

Fruit and vegetable contain vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A (beta-carotene), Vitamin E, Vitamin C, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and folic acid among others. Folic acid helps to reduce blood levels of homo-cysteine, a substance that reduces the chance for contracting coronary heart diseases.

Fruits and Vegetables Protect Against Diseases

Fruits and vegetables contain biologically active substances such as plant chemicals or phytochemicals that help to protect from diseases. If you eat fruits and vegetables regularly, you will have a lower chance of contracting stroke, type 2 diseases, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and cancer among others.

Fruits and Vegetable Enhances Good Health

Fruits and vegetables are low in sugar, salt, fat, and they are a good source of dietary fiber. A regular intake of fruits and vegetables will help you to lower cholesterol level, burn out excess fat in the body, and also helps you to lower blood pressure.

Types of Vegetables

Vegetables are available in different varieties and can be classified into the following biological groups;

Cruciferous: Vegetables that fall in this category include Broccoli, Sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage, and sprouts among others.
Root: Examples include potato, yam, and sweet potato.
Leafy Green: Examples include Spinach, silverbeet, and lettuce.
Allium: Vegetables that fall in this category include garlic, shallot, and onion.
Marrow: Examples include cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini.

Types of Fruits

Fruits are fleshy, sweet, and edible part of plants. They usually contain seeds, they are eaten raw, although some varieties of fruits can be cooked. There are different types of fruits depending on their shapes, colors, and flavors. The common types of fruits that are can be easily gotten and introduced into your diet include pears, apples; citrus such as oranges, mandarins, and limes; stone fruit like plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines; berries like blueberries, kiwifruit, strawberries, and raspberries; Melons such as watermelon, melons, and rockmelons; tomatoes, and avocados among others.

The easy with which these fresh fruits and vegetables make it easy for you to easily introduce them into your diet and you will be amazed at the results you will get. Hence, make it a point of duty to take enough fruit and vegetable and you will be healthier for it. – Tyler Grasham

March 11, 2019March 11, 2019

BENEFITS OF EATING FRESH FOODS

Fresh foods are foods that are harvested as soon as it is ripe and they are eaten within one to two days without any additives or packaging. Fresh foods are more nutritious because the longer they stay on the plant until it ripens, the more nutrients they will have. Research have shown that packaged foods are a source of hormone-disrupting chemicals such as plastic softener and Bisphenol A (BPA) while it has been discovered that eating fresh foods has the capacity of reducing these chemicals by half in three days.

Eating fresh vegetables and fruits has a tremendous impact on the body as they are more nutritious. People who eat fresh vegetables and fruits as part of their diet are less likely to be susceptible to chronic diseases. Fresh foods provide nutrients that are vital for the maintenance and health of the body because of the many benefits that it offers. We will take a look at s me of these benefits below.

Benefits of Eating Fresh Foods

Economically, fresh foods are cheaper as they can be gotten directly from the farmer’s market, and farm shops.
They are more nutritious than packaged or processed foods.
Fresh foods are tastier.
They are more environmental friendly as there is no need to dispose any packaging.
Fresh foods are rich in nutrients such as potassium which may help to lower blood pressure, reduces bone loss, and also has the ability to minimize the risk of developing kidney stones.
Eating fresh vegetables help to lower the intake of calorie.
Fresh vegetables and fruits that contain fiber helps to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases.
Introducing a diet of fresh vegetables and fruits into your meal will help to protect against certain kinds of cancers.
Fresh foods may help to reduce the risk of contracting heart diseases.
Introducing fresh foods into your meal will help to lower blood sugar level in the body. Sugary food like fruit juice, ice cream, and s da among others will lead to an increase in blood sugar level in the body.
Most process foods contain excess fat and as a result leads to obesity while fresh foods help to result in loss of weight because it contains less fat.

Most of the packaged and processed foods contain toxic chemicals that can affect the body cells in the body and this may lead to development of cancer cells that build up over time. Hence, to avoid this kind of unhealthy diet, try as much as possible to limit the consumption of processed foods to the barest minimum.

The most interesting part is that it is so easy to source for these fresh foods as it can be gotten directly from farms and other places in your locality at very affordable prices as compared to the prices of these processed and packaged foods. Incorporating fresh foods into your daily diet will go a long way in keeping you healthy and the impacts are enormous. You will look fresh, strong, and healthy in every manner.

March 3, 2019March 3, 2019

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO HIKING

Hiking is an outdoor activity that involves going for long walks across country or states in natural environments such as mountains and other scenic terrain. Hiking is a popular activity among fun lovers and those who like adventure, people usually hike on hiking trails. It has gotten so much attention and recognition across the globe that there are a couple of hiking organizations.

An interesting part of hiking is that it offers several health benefits such as reducing hypertension, weight loss, and it can also boost mental health. Also, there are different hiking types which include challenging hikes, moderate hikes, multi-day hikes, and easy walks among others. Hiking is one of the common things people can do to enhance both their mental and physical health.

Why Go Hiking?

It requires absolutely nothing to go hiking or to get started so you can always decide to go hiking whenever you are free.
It is an amazing way to get familiar and explore your surroundings.
It is a great option to go on a date with a loved one.
It is a great way to bond well with family, friends, and colleagues.

Hiking is a way to have great fun as you are relaxed knowing fully well that you are just out there to have the fun of your life while you appreciate the beauty of nature and your environment.

How to Plan for Your Hiking Adventure

It is important to have a proper plan and roadmap of where you will cover when you go hiking, remember safety is key in whenever you need to go out to have fun. Hence, you need to get the proper hiking gears in order to be fully protected and to avoid injuries. The hiking gears you need depends on the type of hiking you are going from and the duration of your hiking. You need to go with a hiking boots or shoes, water, first aid kit, a compass, and GPS among others. Here are some of the plans and things you need to put in place when you want to go hiking;

Decide How Long: Before you set out to go hiking, make sure you have in mind an idea of the distance you wish to cover. If you are going on a hike that will cover only few distance, then you might not need to pack a tent, or go with extra clothes.
Decide if you are Going Alone: Some people however like to go hiking alone just to have a kind of personal reflection. However, it is more fun when you have the company of may be friends or family, and going alone might even be dangerous especially if you are going for hikes that will take more than a day. Hence, if you decide to go alone, make sure you allow people to know where you are going and the places you will be covering, also go with your phone and power bank.
Decide your Hiking Location: Select your location carefully and know your limit especially if you are a newbie. Select locations that are easily accessible but if you are going with friends who are more experienced, then you can go into more adventurous locations.

The bottom line here is that hiking is a great way to take a break out of the hassles of your daily activities, it helps to calm your nerves and you are not under pressure, you are just out there to relax and enjoy. – Tyler Grasham