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Why a camping trip can heal the soul

Why a camping trip can heal the soul
08.10.2022
Stephen Hockley
4 minutes of reading
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Feeling a bit run down? Need to get away? Well this could be just the push you need! Today, I’ll tell you why I think camping could be the cure to feeling like you’re getting in a rut. So, to find out why, read on!

Hey-hey everyone!

Today I’m going to be talking about why a camping trip can be good for the soul.

Seriously, why does it have a reputation for being so helpful? What is it about the outdoors that gives people so much peace? Here are the four top reasons that you might want to go on a lil’ camping trip to take your mind off things.

1. Change of scenery, change of mindset...

It goes without saying that many of us have had a rough time over the past few years… and when you’re stuck in a rut, a change of environment can make all the difference. It’s the cure to cabin fever, and it’s also a great way to take back that feeling of control over what’s happening in your life. Thoughts tend to follow action in my experience, so by first physically changing your surroundings (even if you may not feel like it at the time), it gives your brain the chance to follow suit.

Or something like that, I’m not a psychologist, okay?! 😤

2. A chance to reflect.

In addition to the physical change of scenery, you also get the opportunity to be physically removed from your issues for a while. You can think of these first two points as two sides of the same coin; one benefit is being drawn toward something good for you (a holiday in nature) and the other is removed from a situation in order to look back and reflect. It’s easy to see what’s the problem from inside the situation at times. This extra space to step back and reflect on what’s going on in your life is worth its weight in gold. It’s much cheaper than therapy, and can have some of the same results.

Well, that’s what I say anyway!

Man reflecting
Man reflecting

3. It’s an affirmative action.

Listen, if you need a break… like, you really need a break… and you decide to book a holiday you know you’ll like… congratulations, you’re already on the right track. Why? Well, there’s a world of difference between knowing you need to do something to change your situation, and being able to take the action to do it.

That first step is what matters the most

So if this is a period in your life to say “out with the old and in with the new”, and this is how you’ve decided to do it, power to you! You’re undoubtedly moving in the right direction. It almost acts as a pattern break, a chance to start up new habits and ditch old ones, have a reset and rest before going back into the fight.

A friend told me when I was recently feeling very burnt out, that he thinks it’s a very common thing right now. People moving straight from the stress and difficulties of the past few years, immediately back into a new form of normal, without so much as an acknowledgement of the tremendous, new stresses that they have been through.

So if this is you, take this as your sign to find a way (any way, as long as it’s healthy!) to step back and take stock of everything that’s happened.

4. It’s nature. We’re nature!

There have been countless studies on how nature is good for you in so many different ways… being in nature is super important. Yes, disconnecting from a difficult situation as I said earlier can be fantastic… but you also want to make sure you do it in a healthy way, and nature has to rank near the top. Take sunlight as a simple example. Getting enough sunlight (that isn’t coming from a window) can help your body to regulate its circadian rhythms, helping you to achieve a better quality of sleep, even aiding recovery from depression… in short, sunlight is extremely valuable for you.

And of course, you’ll be getting a lot more than sunlight on a camping trip. Fresh air, quality time spent without such frequent interruptions from your phone, and the list goes on.

All in all, the psychological effect on you of having a camping trip, either by yourself or with a few close friends is generally speaking a good thing. Of course it doesn’t have to be a camping trip… but if you can do something to get yourself out of a rut, some small commitment in any form, you’re moving, and that’s what happens. Nature, a break in your usual daily patterns, and taking some time to reflect is a great idea.

So what’s next?

If you would like to have a campervan holiday, make sure you check out the Campiri website here.

See you on the other side, and the absolute best of luck!