Do you feel bad? Go Hiking!
Yesterday I was feeling like I had a slight tickle in my throat, which was most likely congestion of some sort. Other than that I was feeling pretty good.
I woke up at 6 am and was at the trailhead ready for a beautiful hike at 7:45 am. Nothing had changed with my health but the congestion was still there. It wasn’t a full-on cough, but a slight tickle in my throat. At least that’s how I would describe it.
It was a great hike in the snow in the Rocky Mountains at Mount Falcon, near Indian Hills, Colorado. The only issue was that the sky was mostly over cast, but it was still a gorgeous day.
I felt great on the hike but as soon as I climbed into my truck, and turned on the engine, my head started burning up, the same way you would feel if you had a full on fever.
I was burning up and chilled all the way home and all evening. I headed to bed early and didn’t set my alarm as I was hoping some rest would help.
I started sweating around 11 pm and I don’t think I stopped sweating until 3 am. I have learned through life experiences and some advice that sweating at night typically means your fever has broke.
I woke up feeling pretty much back to normal, except for a sore throat.
I decided to get my butt out of bed and head to work. I had to make a quick stop at Lowe’s and I started talking the cashier when checking out and I told here what had happened since my hike yesterday.
She’s the one that told me, “if you feel bad, take a hike.”
I thought that was a cool saying but I have to caution anyone who reads this that doing physical activity while feeling bad or after recovering from an illness, can make your illness worse or cause a relapse.
What I’m mostly referring to here is if you feel down emotionally, or have some congestion or a cold, that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside by a nice warm fire, even though that sounds pretty awesome right about now.
I was following Body for Life many years ago and one of the things Bill Phillips said once was that you don’t have to stop working out just because you have a cold. You may not feel like working out but you don’t have to lie around on the couch or in bed.
I hope no one takes this as medical advice because I am an engineer and not a doctor or nurse, but I believe there is some truth that you can get up and do things but just make sure you are dressed appropriately and don’t exhaust yourself.
I guess the next best thing to do if you’re not feeling well, besides reading a book in front of a fire, is to take a scenic drive and at least see something beautiful.
I would love to hear your thoughts or Comments on this or send me an Email.
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Hiking can go a long way in making the little changes count. It can really help in making the bad times get bearable. I have used it before so I am talking from personal experience too. This is great and I am planning on getting out more to reduce some stress in my life. Thanks so much
I love hiking and basically doing anything outdoors. It really does help get your mind off the problems in life.
Rick
Thanks for this post on going for hiking. Sometimes ago I had some problems which I had no solution for, and I kept it to my self. My friend came to me about going for a hike, which i agreed to, because I had no choice then. During the hike I forget all my sorrows and enjoyed every moment of it. Since then, I believe in getting out on the trail and thinking. Thanks
Rose, I am glad you found a way to reduce some stress in your life and finding a way to enjoy the outdoors. Getting out of our homes, apartments, work and life in general is extremely helpful.
Rick
I don’t think I would be as courageous as you if I was feeling sick, I don’t even like to leave the house when I am not feelin well in that manner. If I am just feeling emotionally bad though, I completely agree on taking a hike to clear your head and get into a better mood. There’s nothing better than getting out in nature, listening to the birds chirping and feeling the wind on your face.
Hey Travis, I agree that you have to be careful when deciding to go out when you’re not felling well. Sometimes it is better to stay at home and get some rest. Of course, there are those cold and windy days where the fireplace is more appealing.
Rick
Thanks for sharing this post about going hiking, some years ago I do fall sick every time someone told me to go for hiking it helps a lot, then I started going for it, and gradually anytime I go for hiking I don’t fall sick any more, then I discovered hiking is part of my.life, it helps and I can recommend it for anyone that does fall sick,thanks
Hi Gracie,
I think you’re on to something and I’m not sure if it is getting out and being more healthy due to the exercise or if is an internal thing when our spirits are lifted by being in nature. It’s probably both.
Thank you for the great comments.
Rick
Hiking has proven to be a great Stress reducer this is aside from the physical advantages it offers to the state of the body.. Hiking is also beneficial to the mental state of every one engages in it. Your review is inspiring and I love it. It is good to know that there are medical advantages when we engage in hiking. From now on I will take time for hiking everyday to see its benefits.
Hey Benjamin. I would love to hear how your life and health improves when you start getting outside more.
I always feel more optimistic when I look out at the mountains and start planning my next hiking adventure. It helps me to look past some of the pressing problems in life.
Rick