Useful Tips for Hikers Couple Over 50
Hiking is a healthy and fun activity that couples over 50 should try. It improves your cardiovascular health, makes you have strong muscles, and can help your relationship to grow stronger.
Always Carry a Communications Device
Carrying a communications device can be helpful in the event of an emergency. If you're within range of a cellular base station, then you should carry cellphones. A satphone is also essential as it can help senior hikers call for help in case they have a severe and life-threatening injury. It can also help you when you get lost or get off track. Not only can you use this device as an SOS when you are in a remote location, but it also allows you to stay connected with your family at home. Lastly, you should carry a GPS device that can send messages on the internet or send out distress signals to alert first responders in the event of an emergency.
Hiking Will Strengthen Your Relationship
We always want to find that person who will share our hobbies and love for sports. It often turns out that you like to go hiking, and your partner prefers to lie on the couch and watch TV. If you are not yet in a relationship or are just starting out, then try to discuss your hobbies initially. This further strengthens the couple. Analyzing matches on dating sites, experts came to the conclusion that successful couples are those who have common interests. Hitting the trail together with your partner can help your relationship grow stronger as you will find each other more appealing. It gives you a chance to strengthen your bond in a private setting while doing some exercise. Going outside in nature with your significant other makes you feel closer. Hiking is also an excellent inoculation for problems that couples face. The little things that keep recurring are the main reasons that make a couple relationships disconnect. When you hike together with your partner, you will inoculate your relationship from these common relationship pitfalls. The bottom line is that couples that hit the trail together stay together because they're happier. Because hiking enhances closeness, you'll feel better about yourself and your relationship.
Build Endurance Intelligently
Hiking is not just walking in the woods, as it needs strength and balance. As such, you need to improve hiking endurance before you hit the trail. Start by taking practice hikes on semi-level trails to allow you to gradually build endurance. Increase the distance you cover as your overall fitness improves. In turn, this will slowly allow you to withstand a physical workload and recover promptly.
Take Trekking Poles
Also known as hiking poles, trekking poles are ski poles that feature handles designed to help hikers. So how can these poles help couples over 50 when they're hiking?
- Help senior hikers to maintain balance: Once you're50 or older, your balance begins to decline. These poles act as a set of limbs to provide stability when you're tackling rough terrain. They can help senior couples keep their balance when they are ascending or descending on the loose ground, such as sand and broken rock pieces at the base of the crags.
- They take the stress off the joints: This hiking accessory takes the pressure off your joints. They do this by absorbing shocks that your joints take when you're hiking a steep up or downhill trail.
- Helps you avoid swelling: Trekking poles ensure that you engage your arms while hiking. By promoting better circulation, these poles prevent your hands from swelling when you're gaining elevation.
- Can help you get a ride to and from town: Trekking poles signal motorists that you're hikers who need to get somewhere, helping you to get a quick pick-up.
- Help you to cross frozen streams safely: You can use these poles to test water depth and the thickness of ice on a frozen stream.
Check with Your Doctor Before Hiking
People who are 50 years or older often have age-related diseases. For this reason, you should get a medical check-up before hiking. Your doctor will check the condition of your lungs to find out if they can withstand high altitudes. Hiking can magnify health-related problems that are manageable at home. If you're taking medications, ask your doctor to check if they have a diuretic effect. Diuretics help your body to get rid of water and sodium. You also lose lots of water when you're hiking. These two factors result in dehydration.
Ready to hit the trail with your significant other? Following these tips will ensure that hikers over 50 have a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.