5 Reasons Why Camping Can Bring You Happiness



The Great Outdoors is not for everyone. It’s raw, dirty, and you're exposed to the elements.  (And there are bugs. Oh, the bugs.)



No matter how rugged (or fancy) your outdoor adventure, there are qualities about camping we won't find elsewhere in one complete package. What could be better than that? If you’re a camping veteran, you know what I’m talking about. If you’re new to the scene, grab your backpack, you’re going to love this.



Since June is National Camping Month, I decided to give you five reasons why camping can bring you happiness:



Slowing Down

As soon as you hit your campsite, it’s like time has been reset. Setting up your “new living space” can be a meditative process (unless you have small children). Cooking food over a fire forces you to slow down and the simple act of sleeping outside can bring about a symphony of sounds that even the best app can’t mimic.



Quality Time

This is by far the best thing about camping. It’s THE reason to go camping - even if you go alone. Quality time can come in many forms: hiking, campfires, s’mores, throwing rocks in the water, etc. Whether you have small children or not, you can collect rocks, pine cones, shells, or whatever else you find in your travels. It’s a sliver of time where you can truly connect with family, friends, and remember yourself.



Creativity

At first glance, camping doesn’t seem creative. But nothing could be further from the truth. The second you start planning your trip the creativity begins. It forces you to think about how you’re going to accomplish normal everyday tasks, like cooking. And it doesn’t end until the moment you leave (when you have to get creative about how you’re going to repack everything - including your newly found, nature-y loot). Journaling, painting, even singing and playing guitar around the campfire allows the creative sparks to fly.



Appreciation in the Little Things

It should go without saying that roughing it in the woods for a few days puts things in perspective. While sleeping under the stars is enjoyable, there is nothing like returning home to your comfy bed. Ditto for basic daily amenities - like showers and electricity. A camping trip is an opportunity to observe the small details of life and those around you.



Healthy Habits

It’s only natural to pick up extra activities when visiting the great outdoors. Walking, hiking, and biking along with canoeing, kayaking, and swimming, camping encourages all sorts of healthy activities. Often these activities have a way of following you home and leading into other forms of self care. You may find new healthy habits popping up, whether it’s finding a new local hiking trail or scheduling a massage www.temassagetherapy.com



Camping comes with a handful of challenges (how to perfectly toast a marshmallow) but it’s also the perfect opportunity to enjoy your friends, family, and everything nature has to offer. And THAT can bring you happiness.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Improve your health with breath

Image
Breath. Such a simple thing. It’s essential to life, but yet how often do we think about it? It ebbs and flows throughout our days and we barely give it a second thought. September is Healthy Lung Month and we’re going to look at some ways our breath improves our health - including some techniques you can utilize today. Deep breathing can reduce anxiety Implementing a deep breathing technique when anxiety strikes can make the difference between a full on attack and an unwelcome blip in your day. Deep breathing lowers your heart rate, improves circulation and promotes clearer thinking. You can use your breath to calm down Let’s face it, when tempers flair it seems almost impossible to think about anything other than the current situation that set you off. Practicing simple breathing techniques can encourage calmness and help reverse the physical symptoms of anger.             TECHNIQUE for Anxiety and Calm ●  ...
Read more

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Massage

Image
When you think of massage therapy, what comes to mind? Perhaps you consider those aches and pains in your shoulders and neck, or maybe your sore, tired, or swollen legs, or even a way you can cope with excess stress. However, the therapeutic nature of massage therapy extends far beyond just relieving stiff muscles or alleviating stress and anxiety. You can actually ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome with massage therapy. So what exactly is carpal tunnel syndrome? Why do certain people develop carpal tunnel syndrome? And how does massage therapy improve your life if you are dealing with the pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel? What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It causes pain, numbness, tingling and weakness . This happens when there is an increase in pressure in the wrist, which compresses a nerve known as the median nerve, which runs through the wrist.   This median ...
Read more

How to Offer Support to Families Dealing with Cancer

Image
Families are in the trenches fighting cancer every day. If cancer hasn’t crossed your path, whether directly or through a loved one, consider yourself lucky. It’s easy to feel helpless when friends and people close to you are struggling. Since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re going to give you some simple things you can do to help those who are facing the dreaded “C” word. Do. Don’t ask. It’s easy to say, “let me know if you need anything.” What the family needs is someone to say, “hey, I’m making you dinner.” Or “I’m babysitting - just tell me what day (or night).” Don’t give them the burden of asking. Just offer it. Gift cards go a long way. Treatments can sometimes take a patient and family far from home. Do a little research and purchase gift cards for restaurants, hotel chains and gas stations near the hospital they are using. A gift subscription to Amazon Prime or Netflix may be helpful to someone who is bedridden. Some downtime and low key enter...
Read more