By Tom Sandberg DC and Marilyn Largen
The Night Before
The night before your hike, you should assess your ability level by viewing and performing the hiking stretches recommended by Sedona Lifeforce LLC. If you have any pain or imbalances while doing the routine you should stay on trails marked easy. If the pain is too intense, you may consider giving the hike a miss and taking a tour with Sedona Philosophy instead. Choose a trail within your ability level by accessing trail guides from the visitor center or downloading the Alltrails app on your mobile device. It’s best to hydrate the night before your hike with little to no alcohol.
The Morning Of
Once you’ve decided on what trail to take, here are some insider tips so you can ensure you get the most out of your day. The old saying, “it’s dry heat” really comes into play on the Sedona trails. Adequate water in your body is essential for cellular recovery from strenuous activities. Visit Sedona Water Works to get some high quality H2O. You should also get as much fruit in you as possible before during the hike. It is recommended to eat breakfast two hours before your hike at either Cafe Jose’ or Wildflower. Do the hiking stretches to both assess your trail level ability and help prevent any injuries on the trail.
Your Gear
You should have hiking boots or shoes that offer support at the ankle and are comfortable to wear for several hours. Make sure you have sunscreen. Take a backpack with fruit, snacks, water, kleenex, and a towel to sit on during breaks. The backpack should be evenly packed and secured firmly against your upper-mid back. It’s best to use a backpack that secures across your chest in order to balance the weight evenly which takes pressure off of your shoulders and neck.
Make A Connection
While you’re hiking, be conscious of your breathing. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. If you are finding it difficult to breathe comfortably, you should slow down or take a break. Make every step a slow deliberate action, with secure placement and connection to the earth. Feel the energy of the mountains around you. You're in a special place now, so soak it all in.
Relax and Restore
After your hike, do the hiking stretches again and don’t sit in one place for more than 45 minutes without getting up and moving around. Sitting in one place for a period of time does not allow circulation in the body and may cause inflammation to settle in problem areas. Drink plenty of water throughout the evening and try to stay off your feet for long periods.
Now you can enjoy dinner at one of Sedona’s fine restaurants. Javelina Cantina has great Mexican food and service, Pago’s Pizzeria and Italian Cuisine offers a delicious gluten free pizza with amazing cheese, and Gerardo’s Pizzeria bakes a flavorful fresh baked dough. Another option for a dinner with a fabulous view is the Hideaway House for their mouthwatering meatballs.
Enjoy your hike and while you're in Sedona, schedule an appointment with Sedona Lifeforce for mobile chiropractic and reiki at your location.
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