Along the course of a fun, adventurous hiking excursion, there is the possibility that you might sustain an injury if you don’t prepare adequately for the activity. Don’t let wounds that you have some control to stop hamper your time outside. Look into how to prevent common hiking injuries now so that you don’t need to think about them in the middle of your day after they’ve already occurred.
Stabilize Your Balance
In contrast to the perfectly smooth ground most of us are used to, a hiking trail can be filled with steep inclines and bumpy earth. You might slip, trip, or fall because of this. Use trekking poles to provide more points on which to balance yourself. This way, you can test the ground in front of you and traverse safely through tricky spots by leaning on the poles as needed.
Trekking poles also take some of the weight off your legs, redistributing it through your arms. For people who experience knee pain when walking for a long time over rough terrain, poles can be helpful.
Shield Yourself
Whether it’s a sunny day or a rainy one, you’ll want to shield yourself from exposure to the elements. Put on sunscreen and carry a bottle of it with you on your hike to block UV radiation from burning your skin. You can also wear lightweight coverings, such as a brimmed hat and a thin jacket to act as additional barriers. UV light can penetrate clouds too, so you should take these measures on cloudy days as well.
If there’s a chance of precipitation and wetness, wear a breathable and waterproof outer-shell jacket and pants to keep your body dry. In cold weather, being wet can lead to hypothermia, so having these articles of clothing at the ready is always smart. You can pack them away if it gets too hot and there is no rain.
Wear the Right Footwear
Blisters and sprains can stop you in your tracks on an otherwise enjoyable trail. You can avoid them by wearing the right footwear. Find waterproof hiking boots that fit snugly but that have enough room for thick socks so that you can lower the chance that they will rub on your ankles while you’re walking. A higher-cut boot is often preferable because there is a decreased chance that water can get inside them when you splash through puddles. Having wet feet can also increase the chance that you’ll form blisters.
Furthermore, boots provide you with the ankle support necessary for scaling uneven surfaces. This reinforcing material around your ankles will help to stop you from twisting the joint unnaturally.
Now that you understand how to prevent common hiking injuries, you can go forth more confident in the knowledge that you’re ready to take on the trail.
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