Posted by Discovery Parks on 28 Mar 2016
Most people go on camping trips because they’re tired of the city, wanting to reconnect or just ready for an adventure. Whether you enjoy hiking, cycling, beaches, fishing or any other outdoor activity, camping gets you away from those distractions that occur in your everyday life. But what you might not realise is camping can help you live a longer, healthier life!
From spending time with family, experiencing the great outdoors, challenging yourself and more, nearly every aspect of camping provides health benefits, from eating healthier, staying more active, getting more vitamin D, fresh air, mental health and more.
1. Get unplugged!
Getting the family away from technology and ditching the screen can have a significant impact on your wellbeing. Research suggests too much tech may lead to increased feelings of anxiety and poor sleep. There's even some physical perks to going off the grid: Excessive screen use may lead to neck pain and even neurological issues. Time to stash that phone. Your mind and body deserve it, your family deserves!
2. Breathe!
When you spend time out of the city smog, you take in more oxygen. That feeling of happiness that you get when you take your first breath of air at the campground isn’t all in your head – your body can function with less strain when there’s plenty of oxygen.
It has also been shown that time outdoors can improve your blood pressure, improve digestion and give your immune system a boost. Spend a few days outside, and get some real health benefits from the extra oxygen and low levels of pollutants
3. Be happy!
That happy feeling you get for a few days after camping is also not all in your head! Spending some time outside in the sunlight can even out the levels of melatonin in your brain! Melatonin is the chemical that makes you feel tired and can induce feelings of depression, getting away from it all can induce happier thoughts and emotions.
4. Get moving!
Let’s not forget the most obvious benefit of camping: you’re spending a lot of time performing physical activities and research shows that physical activity is good for the heart, mind and body! Even if you’re just throwing out a fishing line, you’re burning more calories than sitting in an office, and if you walk or cycle, you’re performing cardiovascular exercise that will help keep your heart and lungs healthy.
5. You are my sunshine!
Sunshine feels great on your skin, and there’s an evolutionary reason for that. When you’re out in direct sunlight, you’re taking in Vitamin D, which allows your body to absorb calcium and phosphorous. Just don’t forget to Slip Slop Slap!!!
