Research reveals how trekking can improve mental health

Hiking in mountains isn’t known for being the comfiest pastime in the world, but science shows that it makes those hikers into happier people, says high altitude trekking company Kandoo Adventures.

“Although social media makes it seem like being happy is everyone’s default state, in actual fact it takes a lot of work to get there,” said Paul Deakin, Managing Director of Kandoo Adventures. “If everyone expects to feel great without putting effort in, nobody’s going to feel fantastic. But when you work for something and achieve it, you’ve earned the right to be pleased with your success.”

It’s not just the feeling of stepping into the great outdoors that boosts mood. The answer to improving health and happiness lies in a willingness to keep going and trying hard, whether climbing Kilimanjaro with a team or sticking with the long and winding Salkantay trial to see Machu Picchu.

This grit and willingness to graft means that Kandoo Adventures’ customers have typically trained hard to get to a level where they can keep up with their guides and fellow trekkers, know how to cope with difficulty and have failed time and time again—whether training or not. Knowing how to fail means that they know how to carry on after. Psychologists at the University of Utah and Kansas have also found evidence that hikers are better at problem-solving.

Going trekking is also a way to force a holiday away from friends on Facebook who post about their seemingly incidental success, while trekkers can find out exactly what they’re of, whether hiking the Himalayas or reaching Everest Base Camp.

Success can sometimes be elusive, so training hard for and taking an adventure is a great way to find a different route to it. Find out more about Kandoo Adventures and the treks they offer by visiting www.kandooadventures.com.