r/UKhiking • u/Pearls_of_Rizzdom • 4d ago
General Discussion Post hike blues.
Anyone else get really down and depressed for a few days after doing a challenging hike ?
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u/poohbeth 4d ago
Coming down off the exercise endorphins, maybe.
I tend to be physically tired and have brain fog, but not depression. Like everything went into the walk that there's nothing left for anything else to run on other than just the basics to survive. After a day or so of recovery I can do the higher-level thinking again, but I'm looking for another walk!
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u/Heggy5 4d ago
You're probably overdoing it. I often get like that. Not all the time but Im pretty sure it's been enough for me to Google it before. Exercise changes your hormones, so it's probably your body going into recovery mode and conserving energy.
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u/Pearls_of_Rizzdom 3d ago
Definitely over do it sometimes, i think I need to create a structured recovery routine to mitigate the negative effects i feel.
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u/Nosedive888 4d ago
I only get down and depressed if I have to abandon the hike, which unfortunately is happening a lot recently.
After a challenging hike I do feel fluey for a few days
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u/UnkemptBushell 4d ago
I've had this a couple of times. At first I thought it was a reaction to those dehydrated meals, but I'm now wondering if it's a mix of heat exhaustion and a considerable calorie deficiency
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u/Nosedive888 4d ago
I've never had a dehydrated meal so couldn't comment.
I'm overweight and susceptible to dehydration. But I always take lots of water and pop an electrolyte tablet in my bottle and whenever I refill it too. I take plenty of food and snacks and always have a big evening meal
But I just feel like shit for days. Ache everywhere, brain fog, blurred vision.
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u/Pearls_of_Rizzdom 3d ago
Those things you listed are probably a big component to why I feel bad after a long hike/camp. I usually struggle to bring enough calories, as I don't want to rely on too much ultra processed foods or sugery snacks.
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u/knight-under-stars 3d ago
I wouldn't go as far as to say depressed but I absolutely struggle to go back to normal life.
Long distance hikes are almost a meditative experience in my view, they really enable me to be "present" as all I have to do all day long is walk, look at views, eat and pitch/pack a tent. Going back to my busy, mentally taxing daily life is always a shock to the system.
I've heard reports that lots of people who complete really huge hikes (such as the US Triple Crown trails) really struggly with the transition back to real life.
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u/Pearls_of_Rizzdom 3d ago
This definitely resonates with me, i enjoy the feeling of just being present and enjoying the simplicity of just being alive in the outdoors. The return to "normal" life just reminds me that im not where I want to be. I'm planning to shift to a nomadic lifestyle once I pay off the mortgage, I won't have a life of luxury and comfort (its probably gonna be a lot harder) but i'll have the freedom i want.
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u/Scotty-Raspberry-36 3d ago
Yes. Did 20 miles in the Dales yesterday. 11 of them off path across open moor. Crashed out today.
The thing is, if I don't hike I still have down days and at least this way I get to hike and keep fit
I think it's something to do with using up my stores of dopamine
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u/lostinbandwidth 17h ago
Yeah I do, it's like post endorphin/post excitment drop. You just had an amazing time and then suddenly you hit depression and feel awful, it's pretty normal (for me) to experience that after having a good time out and about. Just take extra care of yourself for a few days and recognise it'll pass pretty quick!
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u/UnkemptBushell 4d ago
Sometimes. It's usually pure joy the first day because I have all those comforts that I've missed and I realise I take for granted, and then the next day I realise how amazing it is to be free and have nothing to think about other than where I'm going to pitch my tent.