Hiking can be an intensive physical activity. You would have to walk on terrains consisting of either sand or slippery rocks for several hours. Not just that, there will be instances where you’d have to climb up or down in high altitudes and you must do your best to remain steady and maintain your endurance. However, once you reach the destination, the sacrifices are definitely worth it.
For those who are in a relationship, there are a lot of important lessons that can be learned on a hiking adventure. As for those who are dating someone, going on a hiking trip with that person can help you assess if the relationship would go well or not. This can serve as a level of compatibility. Aside from that, here are some of the basic things that hiking can teach you about relationships.
1. Think Before You Speak
For most couples, they slowly drift apart after being together for several years. This can be the cause of several factors, such as being busy with work or having to focus on other priorities in life. Hiking is a way to reconnect with your partner.
This can help you pay more attention to each other’s words and actions that trigger adverse reactions. Some words can make a person feel disappointed, and you should be sensitive enough and refrain from pushing these buttons. Hiking together would give you ample time to talk about this and improve yourself for the better.
2. Never Assume
Assuming your partner did something would never be a good move. That means there’s a lack of trust and communication between the two of you. This can lead to unwanted anger and even aggression. Going on a hike would help you realize that it’s wrong to assume because this wouldn’t do any good. Instead, communication is the key.
3. No One Is Perfect
This can be very difficult to admit, but being in a relationship, you must learn to accept that you or your partner is not perfect. Figuratively speaking, it’s possible for you to hurt him as much as he can hurt you. Perhaps, before going on a hiking trip, you’re the type of person who shifts the blame and never wanted to admit your mistakes. You always have a long list of excuses why you did something.
“Hiking could bring out the raw, true self. You’ll be wearing the same clothes every day, live with dirt and bugs, and you’d rarely see what you look like– this would definitely draw a sense of realization in your mind. This can help you realize that you probably always wanted to play the victim, the blame game,” says James at HikingBros.com.
Basically, hiking can teach the value of accepting your self-imperfection and cherish your relationship even more.
4. You Will Be Together– Whether It’s Heaven or Hell
You and your partner are a team. Being in a relationship means you should be willing to do everything together. When you’re on a hike, there will be accidents, and you cannot leave your partner out there. You have to stay and take care of him because no one else would.
In return, your partner should also do the same for you, and if needed, both of you should also be willing to sacrifice. That’s the thing about being a team and being in a relationship; you’ll celebrate together, and you’ll try to enlighten one another in case someone is already feeling hopeless.
5. Compromise and Self Improvement Are Important
Some would think that compromise life in the woods isn’t as difficult as having to make real-world decisions, but we beg to disagree. Think about the dirt, the stomach grumbles, and tired hikers; compromise may not be as easy as it may sound.
There would be situations where you have to decide– would you hike seven more miles to make it to the nearest town so you can have fast food? Should you hike four miles off the trail just to catch the perfect sunrise at 4 am? These are just some of the things that you have to decide together, and whatever the result may be, you have to accept it instead of blaming the other person.
Lastly, going on a hike would teach you everything you need to know about life, and what of that is, you have to be willing to improve if you want to maintain a happy and long lasting relationship.
