Four reasons why camping is good for your mental wellbeing

The last few years have been pretty hard going all round – lockdowns, job insecurity and rising living costs have taken their toll on our mental health, and left many of us wanting to hide under the duvet and ignore the outside world.

The outside world, though, is exactly where we need to be. Even getting out into green space for two hours a week can be a real mood booster, and spending time outdoors is now seen as so vital that the NHS is trialling Green Social Prescribing to encourage patients into the open air. 

If you’re trying to get out more, a camping trip is a great place to start – for only a small investment of time and money, it will take you away from indoor screen time and out to a place where you can reconnect with nature, appreciate the small things and generally feel a bit more positive about the world.

Read on to find four tangible benefits of camping for mental health.

Reducing screen time

The height of the Covid pandemic in 2020 saw a huge rise in ‘doomscrolling’, as we spent hours staring at our phones watching the latest news (and arguments) unfold on social media. Stuck inside with only bad news for company, it was easy to believe the world was falling apart…

And yet outside the birds were singing, the trees were blossoming and the breeze was blowing as it always has. Getting away from your screen (be it your phone, computer or TV) is a wonderful way to refresh your mind and remember that the world continues to turn. 

Even leaving your phone behind and going for a short walk is a good start, but a camping trip is perfect for a proper ‘digital detox’, abandoning gadgets and taking time to appreciate the wider world. In reality, you’re unlikely to be totally cut off (many campsites have some sort of mobile signal or wifi), but with cloud formations and stars to watch overhead and campfire flames to stoke down on the ground you may just find you’re much less inclined to reach for that phone…

Connecting with nature

Getting outside was something we all took for granted – until lockdowns meant that we couldn’t. Particularly if you live in an urban area, you may have noticed that suddenly a trip to the local park became a real treat. If you’ve ever felt yourself noticeably relaxing as you walk through a grassy area or look up into the trees, you’re not alone – scientists have actually found that the colour green has a positive effect on our mental health.

Buying houseplants was a popular way to bring more green into our lives through the Covid peak – and this was followed by a boom in camping and other outdoor trips once restrictions were lifted. A camping trip will give you plenty of time to reconnect with the natural world on all sorts of levels, from simply feeling the grass under your feet to being wowed by spectacular scenery on a long hike.

Finding peace

As part of a study for World Mental Health Day, outdoor accommodation platform Pitchup delved into campsite reviews written by previous guests, and discovered that one word – peace – really stood out, featuring in nearly 20,000 reviews. 

It’s perhaps no surprise to find these words being associated with camping. As they’re usually away from urban centres, campsites tend to have lots of space and fresh air, and little by way of noise – all the ingredients you need for a peaceful and relaxing break. And it’s not just anecdotal evidence – studies show that you’re likely to experience a great night’s sleep at a campsite, where the night sky is truly dark and you’ll be woken by natural daylight.

There are peaceful places like this all over the UK – but where’s the best place to try for a really relaxing break? Pitchup’s research showed five campsites in Norfolk were among the top campsites linked to positive mental health from reviews, with Pembrokeshire also found to have some of the UK’s best camping accommodation for wellness, based on customer reviews. 

Getting active

Much as we don’t like to admit it when we’re slumped on the sofa, deep down we know that getting up to go to the gym (or even for a walk) will make us feel better in the end. Exercise – either gentle or vigorous – is strongly linked with all sorts of benefits, including relieving muscle tension and releasing mood-boosting endorphins.

The fresh air that comes with outdoor exercise makes it even better than an indoor workout – and a camping trip gives you plenty of ways to find outdoor activity. Getting out for a good hike or long bike ride is likely to result in a great sense of achievement along with a feeling of wellbeing, but even simple aspects of camping (like tapping in tent pegs, gathering firewood or having a gentle kickaround with the kids) can get those ‘happy hormones’ flowing. We explore the benefits of camping on your wellbeing…

Make it happen

So there you have it – science and personal experiences alike agree that camping is good for your mental health. It’s an easy way to get out into nature, up your activity levels and appreciate the simple pleasures in life – and what’s more, it’s usually very inexpensive too.

Where will you start? A one-night stay close to home, a weekend by the coast or a few nights in the forest? Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup has a huge range of campsites to choose from with the best hikes across the UK, Europe and the whole world.