by Kate Barry
Traveling is stressful! Between catching flights, making sure no one steals your luggage, and missing at least one meal a day, just getting to a vacation spot can put a strain on your physical and mental health. Therefore, it’s important to take time to reset and relax – that’s the whole goal of taking a vacation in the first place, right? But it can be difficult to find downtime among all your plans to see the sights and explore new activities. That’s why Red Mountain Resort provides guided hikes to give you the chance to reconnect with yourself and the magic of the outdoors.
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As we start into a brand new decade and begin the long lists of goals that we all want to achieve in the coming year (and in the next ten!), don’t forget the importance of self-care. A study done by IPSOS, a global market research firm, showed that “improving mental well-being” was fifth on the New Year's resolution list for many Americans, with “being more active” third and “managing finances better” taking first. So as we go into 2020, let’s focus on stressing less and connecting more!
As it turns out, immersing yourself in the outdoors has great potential for improving overall health. Over the years, the scientific link between brain health and spending time in nature has become evident. Psychology Today published an article in 2018 showing that anything from a walk outdoors to “... the tree at a bus stop in the middle of a city… ” greatly improves a person's health. Which is exactly why Red Mountain offers guided hikes: to reduce stress and let you take a break from those to-do lists and be present in something greater.
Not only does hiking benefit your brain, this low-impact cardio is also very good for your body. Hiking has been proven to lower the risk of heart disease, boost bone density, build strength in your glutes and legs to help prevent injury and improve balance, and the list goes on. So now that you know the benefits of being in the great outdoors, you might be asking what a guided adventure with us entails?
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When hiking out in the desert with a Red Mountain adventure guide, you’ll get current and accurate facts about native plants and animals, as well as information about the geology of the area. Our guides are knowledgeable about the surrounding cities in Washington County and provide interesting details of the history behind our urban centers.
We can also personalize each adventure experience. Want to discover ancient Native American petroglyphs? We have a hike for that and a guide to go with it. Want to explore narrow canyons in Zion National Park? There's a hike for it! Thinking of a stroll through lava rock and learning about desert plants? We got you.
“Private guided adventures – our ideas or yours – create the best opportunity to meet our guests’ needs; the possibilities are limitless,” Director of Outdoor Recreation Martha Jevsevar says. “If you’re seeking an adventure customized to your unique interests or special needs, allow us to create an experience which is sure to be the highlight of your vacation.”
The red rocks of St. George will be the beautiful backdrop of your adventure to relax and enjoy the amazing world we live in. Hiking in the splendor of southwest Utah gives you the opportunity to slowly absorb the natural world instead of speeding through it.
We highly suggest coming to our hikes prepared with two full water bottles and sturdy trail shoes to avoid injury. The use of hiking poles can also be helpful on dirt trails.
We hope to see you out there. Happy trails!
About Kate Barry
A native of St. George, Utah, Kate Barry grew up hiking, biking, and camping with her family. She is passionate about sharing her love of nature, the beauty of southern Utah, and the benefits of being outdoors. Kate is currently majoring in biology with a natural science emphasis at Dixie State University. As an adventure guide at Red Mountain Resort, she loves the experience of leading hikes and hopes to encourage people in outdoor activities for the rest of her life.
