People often expect nature walks to be easy. This naivety can often mean walkers head out on an endurance trek unprepared, physically and mentally.
It is not until they find themselves in an awkward situation that they realise they are inexperienced and at risk. Despite its engaging beauty, nature can be a hostile place.
Before you embark on a multi-day day hike, you should acquaint yourself with the conditions you are likely to encounter on the trail. Studying the routes and reading reports other trekkers have published about their experiences alert you to potential dangers, but will also enable you to mentally prepare.
Endurance treks can throw up many psychological challenges ordinary life doesn’t prepare you for. If your head suddenly spins into a stress-filled frenzy, you could be putting your life, the lives of others at risk.
Preparation
If trekking routes are more difficult, multi-day, then they are often inaccessible and are done on unmarked trails, which requires better equipment and preparation for walkers. The more you prepare, both physically and mentally — the more you’ll enjoy the endurance treks.
It is important to have great equipment because you do not want to freeze, sleep in a tent that leaks or have blisters from uncomfortable shoes. Test your equipment and your own endurance on shorter tracks.
Train Your Mind
A positive attitude is desirable, but how to maintain it, especially if we are tired and out of our comfort zone in some wilderness?
- Try to keep your internal self-talk overwhelmingly positive. Identify and replace overly negative thoughts with thoughts that are more productive.
- Have confidence in your abilities to finish the route.
- See challenges as opportunities.
- Don’t stop for small mistakes. Keep going and focus on your goal.
- Use your imagination and visualization.
- Try to accept the feelings without being controlled by them.
Motivation
People usually come to the mountains to experience something big, some phenomenal view, or an adrenaline rush. You can’t feel or smell the nature in the city. Find passion in stargazing, the chirping of birds, wild animals, flowers, or other geographical landforms, and cultures.
Movement changes us. As soon as we are out of our routine, environment, and habits, we begin to get to know ourselves better. Self-development can be motivating as well.
Enough Rest And Sleep
Lack of sleep can cause nervousness, depression, decreased immunity, stomach reflux, muscle aches, headaches, allergies, nervousness, lack of mental ability, and loss of muscle mass.
For longer distances, you need at least 8 hours of sleep. Don’t hesitate to sleep more when you feel tired since enough sleep will help you to manage stress and thoughts, regulate emotions and behave in a positive manner, despite circumstances.
Walking Stick
It helps both psychologically and physically. They can be improvised very easily because they are everywhere in nature. At the same time, make sure that it is light and not dry, that it is not a burden and that it does not break.
Break it so that the length corresponds to your height when your arm is half-lowered (somewhere up to your hips, then a little longer). Ski poles can also be used for hiking and climbing. They are light and strong enough. It’s bad that they’re bulky. The best option is to buy small telescopic walking sticks if you have the money.
Download the Sweatcoin app
Sweatcoin intends to promote technology for good which is why we created an app that encourages people to walk more often. As we have documented on numerous occasions, walking helps to promote good mental health.
If you’re heading out on an endurance walk, or you’re starting a brisk walking program to improve your fitness and promote sound mental well-being, download the Sweatcoin app and get rewarded for your efforts.
We have teamed up with over 300 merchants that accept our digital currency in exchange for discounted goods. Every step you take is recorded by a built-in pedometer on the app and added to an accumulative daily count.
For every 1000 steps you take, you earn one SWC which can be traded for merchandise advertised by our partners. So start earning today by downloading the Sweatcoin app.
