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.
