This is an article I did for one of the websites I work for! (www.henmores.co.uk) As a disclaimer, I do genuinely love camping!
10 Reason to Go Camping This Summer
Camping can be the ultimate getaway. There’s something really tranquil about being without phones or internet, out in nature with nothing but the great outdoors to soothe your soul and re-energize your mind. Fresher air and starrier skies are just some of the many wonders nature provides that inspires millions of people to pack their bags and don their walking boots each year.
And whether you’re an active adventurer or a quiet contemplator, camping can provide a physical and mental escape from the busy, stressful lives we lead. It’s proven that a weekend of camping can help decrease stress, clear our minds and help us reconnect with the more important things in our lives, like relationships.
Here are our top 10 reasons to go camping this summer.
1. It’s good for your health. Taking long, deep breathes of fresh, unpolluted air clears your lungs, boosts your immune system and gives you energy. And you’ll be keeping fit without even realising it with all the exercise you’re bound to get. Camping offers even the least active of us a chance to cycle, hike, swim and climb your way to fitness.
2. It will calm and restore your mind. Camping isn’t only good for your physical health; it’s proven to have a positive effect on your mental health, too. Just the quiet and peace of the woods can help clear your head and reduce your stress. It’s even been noted that camping can reduce mild symptoms of depression and anxiety. Being away from the daily grind of life can really help bring a sense of focus and calm back to your hectic life.
3. It’s cheaper. Camping can save you pennies - if you’re savvy about it. Assuming you already have your camping kit (a good quality one should last you years if looked after properly), you don’t have to pay for fancy restaurants or activities – you can find everything you need, including food and fun, without burning a hole in your pocket. The more self-reliant you are, the less it will cost.
4. Socialization. Camping takes us away from our daily distractions – including the internet. Spending time with the people we love and paying attention to what they say helps us to strengthen our relationships and reconnect in person.
5. Reconnect with nature. When was the last time you swam outside or built a fort? If, like us, you can’t remember, it’s time to take action. Nature is nurturing, it reduces depression, and it makes us feel young again with its wide open spaces and infinite possibilities. There’s nothing quite like looking at the stars through a smog-free sky with a mug of hot cocoa made over a self-made fire… the sense of achievement will last you far longer than a Facebook like will.
6. Adventure. There’s so much to explore in new, undiscovered places, camping outside will bring with it a sense of excitement and unpredictability. Taking the kids along will be a sure way to make some amazing memories - and learn some lessons along the way.
7. Learn new skills. Built a tent? Check. Made a fire? Done. Caught dinner? Tick! Camping can teach even the oldest of dogs new tricks. And the kids will love all the practical skills they’ll learn - a nice break from all the homework they get.
8. Sunshine. There’s nothing like a healthy dose of vitamin D to boost your health and mood. Camping in the great outdoors give you access to all the wonderful things Great Britain’s countryside has to offer – including that long-awaited sunshine. Just remember to take lots of bottled water and sunscreen!
9. Fresh food. Camping offers you the opportunity to try new meals and methods of cooking. A freshly caught fish slowly cooked over an open fire delivers a flavour you just can’t achieve at home. Eating food as nature intended, with zero artificial colours, sweeteners or preservatives, will inspire you to eat more healthily once back home.
10. Break from the daily grind. Camping, unlike other holiday modes, offers you the unique chance to escape completely. No phone calls or internet access means you can truly leave everything behind, disconnect from outside world, and properly take in your surroundings, leaving you refreshed and energized come Monday.
The Negatives of Camping and How to Avoid Them
Bugs! Invest in some citronella-scented tea lights and place in glass jars around the camp; not only will it look pretty, but it’ll also keep bugs at bay. Avoid any damp areas, wear long sleep tops and avoid wearing fragrances.
Camping can be uncomfortable; invest in quality camping gear to assure a good night’s sleep. Include waterproofs in your kit, and don’t forget warm clothes as well as sunglasses and SPF – we all know how unpredictable English weather is. If sleeping on the ground is too much to bare, invest in a comfortable camping bed. A warm sleeping bag and good quality seats will also help bring some home comforts on your adventure.
Camping can be wet. Be savvy about when you go, but if you do get caught out ensure your feet are clean and dry with quality wellies and waterproofs. Make sure your tent is rainproof – if you’ve had it a while, test it before you go to make sure there are no leaks. If you’re well protected from the elements, there’s no reason you can’t roll with it and enjoy! There’s nothing more soothing than sitting with a hot cup of tea, listening to the gentle patter of rain.
It’s “boring”. Just because your kids can’t play on their Xbox, doesn’t mean they won’t have fun! Introduce them to the great elements and let their minds and creativity run free.