The benefits of camping are endless. It’s all about being in the presence of nature. Whether it’s your first-time camping or you are an avid camper, just being away from the city is enough to revitalize your health.
Most people rarely let go of routine. And we get it. The convenience of a hot shower is not easy to let go of, even for one-night. But when you gather the courage to pack your gear and venture out, you say yes to the numerous benefits of camping.
Health Benefits of Camping
Camping has lots of health benefits for both old and young. For those who regularly hit the outdoors, here are some of the niceties you’ll enjoy.
1/ Physical Fitness When Camping
Camping will get you moving. Even if you are van or RV camping. It’s better than sitting in the house or office. At one time, you will be taking in the scenery or, better yet, walking in the woods. You’ll spend lots of time performing physical activities, including fishing, kayaking, biking, and many others.
Even if you don’t venture beyond your campsite, you will still be involved in tent pitching, cooking, fetching firewood, etc. Any activity that gets your heart going will help you burn serious calories.
If you go hiking, you can expect to burn up to 300 calories per hour, depending on your pace and the terrain. Biking, on the other hand, can burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour. To pack in more exercise, you can practice backpacking or canoe camping.
But at a campsite, you can always include swimming as part of your activities. As you can see, you are bound to partake in more physical activity than back home.
2/ Healthy Food While in the Great Outdoors
Physical activity goes hand in hand with nourishing food. Even if you brought a few different snack foods, chances are you also brought fresh ingredients to prepare healthy meals. The pizza guy is not a phone call away, so you have to get the grill going.
You’ll find that you are eating nutritionally fulfilling meals at the end of every camping day because you are cooking them.
Another benefit of camping is that you can tell what’s in your food. You get to control how much salt and sugar is in your food. Not to mention, no preservatives are in the fish you catch in the lake. No wonder it’s so fulfilling to get food directly from nature.
We also find that cravings rarely creep up when camping. You are always doing something that you work up an appetite for filling food.
Finally, you can’t beat the taste of food cooked outdoors. Whether it’s the campfire or campsite grill, your home kitchen cannot compare. All you need is to plan a great menu.
3/ Getting Fresh air out with Nature
The air quality in urban environments can’t match that of the wilderness. You may not notice it until you are breathing the scent of the earth. The feeling of fresh air against bare skin gives you utter joy. Not to mention you will be taking in more oxygen. Your body functions better in terms of an improved immune system, better digestion, and blood pressure.
Camping gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the peaceful sounds of birds. You encounter wildlife. Mornings bring a view of the sunrise and evening sunset. The stars do not compete with city lights. It’s the only time you can stargaze without physical barriers.
4/ Being Outdoors helps to Reduce your Stress Levels
One of the reasons that camping is a fundamental part of an outdoor lifestyle is the de-stressing that comes with it. Being in nature improves your mood ten-fold. It beats the time you’d spend in a therapist’s office. For one, you don’t have to be anywhere. After setting up your tent, you can just chill. Anything you plan on doing is without pressure.
Most people report being happier after a camping trip. While it can be challenging to step away from screens, you have no choice once you are camping. The company of friends and family is enough. You get to hold meaningful conversations.
If you are going camping with a partner, it’s the chance to build your relationship to the next level. Since there are no distractions from texts and doorbells, people listen.
Camping leaves no time for Instagram. You don’t have to think about what another person is posting. As such, you can be in the moment. Less anxiety means less stress.
5/ When Camping you are more Relaxed- Able to Sleep better
It does not come as an obvious benefit of going camping because you are sleeping on the ground. But with a suitable sleeping bag and pad, you can sleep better when camping. First, your eyes will not be thrown off by lights. Second, you won’t be using an alarm clock.
Many people attest to the fact that they are sleep deprived. In fact, getting enough sleep has been documented as one of the goals people list in their health goals.
After all the physical activities that you engage in during the day, you will fall asleep easily. You will also wake to natural light.
Improved sleep has a direct effect on reduced inflammation and better cardiovascular activity. The good thing is that you will continue sleeping better after a camping trip. Well, until urban life catches up to you and you require a prolonged outdoors excursion.
General Benefits of Going Camping
Adventure
Dull camping trips don’t exist—the sense of exploring fuels the outdoors. There’s so much to do, rain or sunshine.
Sports/ Physical Activities
There’s plenty to do at a campsite. Some require a little preparation. Like you may need a few bottles for lawn bowling. An actual ball for soccer and kickball will also be ideal. Here are some activities to do at a campsite.
- Kickball
- Tree climbing
- Hiking
- Soccer
- Hide and seek
- Biking
- Corn hole
- Horseshoes
- Disc Golf
- Rock climbing
- Tug of war
Water activities
Most campsites are near a water body. You may need a bathing suit for some of these activities.
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Floating
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Boating
- Water basketball/volleyball
- Water skiing
- Skipping stones
- Water balloon fights
Camping Activities for the Family
Camping is the time to do things together as a family. When you bring kids, be sure to explore the wild.
- Bird watching
- Wildberry hunting
- Animal watching
- Collecting fireflies in a jar
- Rock and flower gathering
- Bug collecting
- Leaf collecting
In-Tent Camping Activities
You may find yourself stuck in the tent if it rains. Here are some things to do.
- Board games
- Card games
- Read a book
- Storytelling
- Drawing
- Crafting
- Snuggling
- Relaxing Activities for Evenings
- Release sky lanterns
- Stargazing
- Swing in a hammock
- Listen to birds
- Floating
- Watch the trees
Around the Campfire Activities
- Play an instrument (guitar, harmonica, etc.)
- Truth or dare
- Campfire songs
- Roast marshmallows
- Storytelling, including ghost stories
- Dancing
- Re-enact favorite stories
Camp activities for Couples
Camping is a romantic getaway. You will want to involve your partner in the planning.
- Walking at sunset
- Watch the sunrise
- Stargazing
- Moonlight walks
- Yoga and meditation
- Take photos
- Backpacking
- Kayaking
- Hiking
- Romantic dinners by the fire
Here’s a quick checklist when embarking on a romantic getaway.
- Cozy tent
- Double sleeping bag
- Cozy cuddling blanket
- Wine glasses
- Portable speakers
Improve and Learn New Skills when Camping
Let’s get out with it. You may be putting off camping when you think about pitching a tent or building a campfire. But these skills are the more reason why you should go camping. Feeling confident around the basics is one of the benefits of going camping.
Planning Your Camping Trip
Camping improves your planning skills. Failing to plan ahead of the trip spells disaster. Before you start gathering your gear, consider the following:
- The location
- Activities you will do.
- Duration of the trip
- Weather forecast
- The gear you will need
Make a list of the things you will need and check it out as you plan.
Setting up a Tent
If you have never pitched a tent, it’s best if you learn to do it at home than at the campsite. Either way, this is a skill you will learn and continue to improve every time you go camping.
First Aid and CPR
Apart from taking a first-aid kit with you, it’s essential to learn how to use one. Life can give you an unexpected event. It is useful to learn basic first aid as well as CPR. You can take a class or learn online. The good thing is that these life skills stay with you even after camping.
Making a Campfire
This skill is essential for cooking food and warmth. Most people do not know how to make a fire from scratch. It is useful and meaningful to improve on this skill when camping.
Cooking When Camping
Simple recipes will come in handy during camping. Learning how to prepare a meal with simple ingredients is a great benefit of camping.
Using Knives
Using a knife is a necessary camping skill. If you are not comfortable around knives, camping will teach you how.
Tying Knots
You will need to learn how to tie a rope. From securing tents to tying equipment, camping lets you understand the different ways of tying knots. You can practice rope tying with the help of YouTube videos.
Water Purification
Camping may be all about the outdoors. But you need safe drinking water. That’s why you will need to know how to purify water for drinking. If there is no drinking water available to will need to take enough of your own to last the trip.
Practice Survival Skills
The best time to practice survival skills is during camping. If you are always in the wild, you will want to learn how to build a fire without a lighter or matchsticks. Not to mention how to build a shelter and the different types of fishing. These are skills that increase your chances of survival in the woods.
Navigating
Camping will teach you basic navigation. Reading a map and following a compass is not as easy as seen on TV. This skill is vital for backpackers. One minute you are enjoying the sun on your back, and the next, you could be hungry and cold if conditions turn nasty. Your ability to go back to the campsite may depend on your navigation skills.
Discover New Places
There are fantastic places to pitch a tent all over the world. Perhaps the best way to discover new landscapes is camping. You could find yourself in the craggy cliffs of England or exploring the wild side of New Zealand.
If travel abroad is complicated, scenic places are all around you from coast to coast. Not only can you enjoy glorious mountains, but also crisp lakes. From state park reserves in New York to lush views in Virginia national parks. You can enjoy miles of beaches without paying for an air ticket in Florida.
Camping provides opportunities to create the best memories. Especially when camping with kids, camping creates lifetime memories. Whether it’s a good or miserable trip, they will laugh about it when they are all grown up.
Spend Time Alone
Camping alone can be scary. The challenges are real. Away from the safety of a group, you will need careful planning. But the rewards are extraordinary.
If you entertain the prospect of camping alone, it will give you the chance to enjoy real solitude. First, you will come face to face with your skill-set. It is a good thing and intimidating at the same time, from setting up a tent to making a campfire. You won’t have someone else doing it for you.
However, you will enjoy the quiet of nature. It’s utterly peaceful standing in the serenity of the trees. There won’t be distractions from laughter and continuous chatter from other people. You will hear the wind howling and watch birds soaring. It is the kind of quiet you only experience when camping alone.
- Form New Relations
Our list is not complete with this obvious benefit. Meeting new people and making new friends. When camping, you already know that the other person also pursues camping as a hobby. Starting a conversation is more comfortable than in the middle of a busy street.
From there, you can plan awesome trips to look forward to in the future. Then, you will be meeting new people as you explore new areas.
Finally, when camping, you will see people showing their true nature. You can’t fake pitching a tent or sharpening a stick. It’s a chance to share skills and learn together.
Conclusion–Benefits of Camping
Fishing, hiking, and taking time to reflect are some of the benefits of camping. You will find the sun makes you happier and cooking your food is more fulfilling. Camping is a great way to connect with people and nature. You will explore a different world distinct from our hectic lifestyles.