Top 4 Health Benefits of White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains
Our white water rafting trips with SMO Rafting are not only fun, but they are great for your health too! While joining us on an adventure, you will be paddling along with a professional guide and the rest of your group to challenge the river. When you combine the fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery, physical activity, and lots of thrilling rapids, it is no wonder why this is such a healthy activity for your mind and body! Here are the top 4 health benefits of white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Excellent Cardio Activity
One of the top health benefits of white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains is cardio exercise! After all, you will be working with your guide and the rest of your group to paddle down the river as you experience anything from gentle floating to class 3 and 4 rapids. Since the white water rafting excursions with SMO Rafting include anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours on the river, these trips offer an excellent cardio workout! Cardio not only helps you burn fat and calories for weight loss, but it increases your lung capacity, and makes your heart strong!
2. Improves Your Strength
You can also improve your strength by joining a white water rafting excursion with SMO Rafting! Once you get the hang of paddling from your guide, you will be using your core muscles to paddle and navigate down the river. Of course, our trips never get too extreme so you don’t have to worry about working too hard! In fact, you don’t even have to be in great physical condition to join us and our life jackets can accommodate a chest girth of 54 inches. If you are looking for something more physically challenging, consider our Extreme Upper River Rafting Trips that include a smaller raft with a maximum of 3 rafters and a guide. The ability to swim is a must on our Extreme Trips.
3. Mood Elevation
There is no doubt that being outside among nature helps to improve your mood, which is fantastic for your mental health! Studies have shown that just 15 minutes of natural sunlight per day can reduce depression and anxiety levels, so just imagine nearly 2 hours on the Pigeon River! As a bonus, while white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains, you will be among some of the most beautiful natural surroundings in the world. All the natural sunlight will flood your body with Vitamin D and help you to sleep better at night. Just remember to apply some waterproof sunscreen before your trip!
4. Reduces Stress
If the goal of your vacation is to reduce or eliminate the stress of your daily life back home, you will definitely want to go white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains! Research has shown that spending as little as 20 to 30 minutes per day exposed to nature can significantly reduce cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. There are countless physical and mental health benefits of reduced stress, including improved brain function, increased energy, reduced irritability, and much more!
Now that you know the health benefits of white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains, check out all of our rafting trips today to plan your adventure! We look forward to seeing you this rafting season at SMO Rafting!
