BENEFITS OF CAMPING: WHY IS GETTING AWAY GOOD FOR YOU?
It is simple, camping is good for you! The health benefits of packing up and going away for a few days are plentiful, but it is more than that there is magic that happens when camping. It starts with removing yourself from work, school and home responsibilities and switching off from technology for a few days. It’s an ‘ah’ moment that catches you off guard and one we need more of.
Some of the positive benefits include immersing yourself in nature, destressing, soaking in the sunshine, reconnecting with loved ones, learning new skills, being active and as a result improving your mindset.
Let’s look at some of the other reasons why camping is good for all of us:
FAMILY CONNECTIONS
Being away from it all without any distractions, allows families to deepen their bond and connect with each other. There is more time to go off and explore together, take a walk, play a board game or cook an evening meal together. It’s a time to create irreplaceable memories, and when you strip back to basics there’s a lot that you can achieve in only a few days.
UNPLUGGING
Camping is an ideal opportunity to take a break from phones, computers, television, and devices in general. As the heading suggests – unplug! This allows you to embrace the peace and quiet and stop scrolling. Forget about charging the iPad and recharging your own batteries. Although, keep one phone charged up for any unpredictable emergencies.
FRESH AIR
What is one of the first things you do when you arrive at your campsite? Step out of your vehicle, stretch those limbs and inhale a big breath of fresh air. How good does that feel? It is crisp, cleans your lungs, improves your heart, increases energy levels and boosts your mood. It makes you happier!
GET ACTIVE
Do you need wood for your fire? Then off you go scrounging for kindling and carrying dead wood back to camp. It has got you moving! Camping involves some form of physical activity and we all know that benefits both our physical and mental health. Whether you favour land or sea you are bound to exercise in some fashion – hiking, biking, surfing, swimming, climbing, etc. Best of all, you will also get a glorious hit of sunshine and be rewarded with that outdoor glow.
BETTER SLEEP
Have you ever noticed how well you sleep when you are camping? It’s a combination of fresh air and physical activity that leads to a restless night of slumber. The only thing that will be disturbing you, is the deep snore from the person beside you.
MENTAL HEALTH
It’s a hot topic and rightly so, for the past couple of years, everyone has experienced life like we have not known it before with repeated lockdowns and an ongoing pandemic. But now we can get back to the things we love and camping is at the top of the list because it is good for our mental health. It clears the mind! Practically, everything listed here benefits your mental health.
REDUCE STRESS
Step away from life’s daily stress triggers like traffic, deadlines, household chores and other pressures and fall asleep to a sky full of stars and wake up to the sound of birds chirping or a river flowing. This is the cheapest therapy you will find.
IMPROVED MEMORY
Being surrounded by trees, fresh air and nature your body naturally releases the chemical, serotonin. Serotonin is known as the happy hormone which controls your moods, regulates your sleep, helps you think and improves your brain function.
DEVELOP NEW SKILLS
From learning how to build a fire or tie a knot, it is impossible not to learn something new whilst you are camping. It may even be as simple as being aware of your surroundings or campsite and determining the orientation of your van to achieve a dawn wake-up call. There’s also an abundance of opportunities to educate yourself or your little ones on the plants or animals you spot, the places you visit, tap into the history of the area, or learn first aid to be prepared if there is an accident and much, much more.
NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS
When you go camping with friends and family, there is time to walk and talk and strengthen relationships. There is also plenty of opportunities to make new friends when you are camping.
NATURE
Not only do you connect with family and friends when you camp, but you connect with nature. The hum of the trees and whistle of the wind is food for your soul.
EDUCATIONAL
Getting out in nature is an opportune time to study your surroundings, observe animals, learn about ecosystems and identify plants. With little ones try a nature scavenger hunt, build a hut or sculpture from fallen branches, leaves and twigs, and create an art gallery of gathered finds such as gum nuts, feathers, bones and more. At night huddle around the campfire and tell stories, then lay back and observe the night sky and educate your children about stars, planets and galaxies.
GROW CONFIDENCE
Knowing that you can build a fire or catch yourself a fish builds confidence in both young and old campers. It reassures you of your capabilities, provides independence and in return improves an individual’s self-confidence.
If this list does not convince you then nothing will that camping is good for you. Now, get planning your next adventure and know that it is well and truly worth it. And if you need a hotel on wheels to get started, we can help with that…
For more insights into camping, campervanning and road tripping sign up to our newsletter.
Words by Jacqui Taylor.
Comments