There is nothing quite as invigorating as heading out on a new trail and exploring all that the area has to offer, while enjoying the fresh air. This is why hiking in Mpumalanga is the sort of past time that attracts new hikers and the more experienced people alike.
But while hiking is a fantastic way to spend more time outdoors, and it is an equally great way to get out of your head, and focus on your body and how you move. Since some hiking trails demand more of your endurance than others, it is so important that you know how to get into the right kind of mind set before you tackle the trail, especially the more challenging ones.
Hiking can be an almost spiritual experience and it can certainly be something that helps you sharpen your mind and become mentally stronger. Hiking can also quite quickly become an obsession, something that you grow addicted to and which can completely transform the way that you live.
So, when you know that you will be facing a big hiking challenge, it is so important that you do all that you can to mentally prepare for the adventure, because any tough hiking trail is going to force you to be tough yourself.
- Take a social media detox
Okay, so this starting point is probably going to have you scratching your head, saying “A what?”
Social media has permeated through so much of our lives and in so many ways, it can be detrimental to your overall mental health. The biggest problem is that social media can make you feel as though you are not doing enough, or, if you are following fellow hikers, you could end up putting yourself down by thinking that you simply could not take on a difficult trail. So, to get in the right head space, do a detox.
- Prepare with a partner
When working on getting physically fit for the hike, if you are not the kind of person who is able to motivate themselves, it can help to get a fitness buddy. Preparing with a partner will give you the push that you need in order to get yourself moving, and when you get to a point that you might feel like giving up, your partner will keep you moving forward.
- Find other hikers
Hiking wisdom comes in all shapes and sizes and it can be enough to motivate you, especially if you read the stories about people who are similar to you in perhaps fitness or experience. Should doubts about being able to handle the hike begin to set in, you can find inspiration in their stories and greatly benefit from the wisdom that they have.
- Get your anxiety in check
A demanding hiking trail is going to have you experiencing a little bit of anxiety, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. Try to get a hold of any anxiety that you may have so that you don’t end up working yourself into a state of negativity before you’ve even started hiking.
