More Than Just a Little R&R – Why Camping is Beneficial to Your Health

People have different reasons for hitting the road and high-tailing it to their favorite campsite. Whether you just want a weekend away or you're looking to be more 'in touch' with nature, your own reasons can provide their own benefits. But, did you know there are some general health and well-being benefits you can look forward to from your regular camping trips, too? Actually, there are more than you might think!

So, grab your doctor's note and take an extra day off work – camping could be the answer to feeling better and staying healthy. Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits you can expect.

Reduced Stress

This may be the most obvious health benefit, but it's not one that should ever be overlooked. Camping gets you away from the stresses of everyday life. Whether you live in a busy, noisy city or the suburbs, there is nothing more relaxing than being able to pack everything away for a few days and live in the great outdoors. It can do wonders for your stress levels, which in turn can help with things like blood pressure, or any ailments that may be related to stress.

Cardio and Strength Training

Looking for a good workout? Go camping. It's a great way to get in a 'gym session' without having to actually go to the gym and witnessing people in short-shorts deadlifting their bodyweight. Camping is the perfect workout in almost every way. Everything from pitching a tent to hiking is a great cardiovascular feat and carrying heavy logs and camping gear can help to build muscle. You'll likely be inclined to be more physically active when you're outside, so take advantage of it and use the time to get in a fresh air workout!

Getting Unplugged

There is perhaps no bigger mental health benefit to camping than being able to unplug for a few days. Not only do things like smartphones, tablets, and computers add to our daily stress, but they actually may be causing more damage than you realize. Everything from headaches to bad posture and even trouble sleeping has been linked to over-usage of electronic devices. A few days away from that exposure can be a great way to push your body's 'reset' button, and maybe even realize you don't need to be as attached to those devices as you thought you did.

Strengthening Your Relationships

One of the unfortunate side effects of stress, busy schedules, and even the same electronic devices we talked about above, is not having a lot of time for your most important relationships. Spending time with the people you care about in the great outdoors is a great bonding experience. There are plenty of things to do together, but there's also a lot of time to talk and reconnect. Whether you're looking for more family-time or want a weekend getaway with your significant other, camping is a great way to strengthen your relationships. As a result, that can even end up taking away more stress and anxiety. It's a win-win situation!

Good for the Body, Mind, and Soul

It might sound a little cliché to say that camping is good for your soul – but when you consider what it can do for you, it's hard not to believe it. The ideas listed in this article are only a small sampling of how getting 'away' from it all and hitting the road in your RV can make a big difference. If it's been awhile since you've been on a camping adventure, we suggest taking the time to do it. There's a good chance you'll come back feeling more refreshed and relaxed than you have in a long time.