7 Health Benefits of Camping for Circadian Rhythm & Health

In today’s fast-paced world of screens and schedules, we often miss the importance of Reconnecting with nature Nature has many benefits. Even sitting outdoors or doing outdoor activities like canoeing in the wilderness, climbing rocks, biking, hiking, etc., can have many benefits. Yet, the most pronounced benefits come from longer exposure to nature’s beauty. Today we’re going to explore the health benefits of camping.

Albert Einstein famously said: “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Camping … for Health?

Camping trips may not come to mind as the first thing you think about when trying to improve your health. But they should!

Camping has many benefits

This is a fun and budget-friendly activity for the whole family. Going camping is an excellent way to enjoy nature.Reconnect with nature. This simple, fun activity is backed by research.

1. Light Therapy to Circadian Rhythm

A 2013 study from the University of Colorado Boulder examined how camping affects natural circadian rhythm. They found that participants who camped for a week noticed major improvements in sleep patterns.

Sleep researcher Dr. Michael Breus says that camping (away from artificial lighting) for a week resets the circadian clock. More specifically, it was found that:

• The camper’s melatonin levels rose two hours earlier when camping than on regular nights around artificial light.
• Study participants’ sleep schedules all normalized in their natural settings. Even early birds and late nighters adjusted to a similar schedule.

Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can lead to serious health problems. Simple activities like camping can be beneficial to the body. Normalize sleep Improve your health by cycling.

2. Forest Bathing Stress Relief

The Japanese have a national practice called “Forest Bathing” or shinrin-yoku. It’s Since the 1980s, it has been a part of their national public health policy. Japanese scientists have spent millions studying the effects of nature’s time with some surprising results:

• A weekend spent in nature increases the number of natural killer cells in your body. This increase could last up to a full month after just one weekend in the woods.
• Forest air contains phytoncide, a natural compound from plants and trees. Some research shows inhaling phytoncide can improve immune system function.
• Forest bathing can also help reduce stress. A study showed that cortisol and blood pressure levels improved when people spent 30 minutes per day in the outdoors. Spending a day outdoors is more relaxing than spending the day in the city. Nature time helped to lower sympathetic nerve activity and therefore stress levels.

3. Sleep Improvement

Camping far from artificial light, as mentioned above improves the circadian rhythm. Logically, this also improves your sleep.

Sure, sleeping on the ground in a thin sleeping bag doesn’t sound like the perfect way to relax. Studies show that nature allows people to sleep deeper and restoratively. One factor may be that people aren’t staying up as late watching TV while camping. Melatonin is produced by this alone, which improves sleep.

You’re also getting 8 hours Grounding in to reset your body’s natural electric field. The mattress may not be as comfortable at home. However, you’re likely getting Sleeping better biologically

4. Time to Unplug & Family Time

My favorite part of camping is spending time with my family and disconnecting from the technology. We all know that we should put the phone down and spend more quality time with our loved ones. But this can be hard to do when we’re wrapped up in the business of daily life.

Each of my children has their own hiking backpack and gear. If it’s your first time camping or you’re just looking for some ideas, here’s our gear checklist.My kids enjoy camping, and I love that they get to experience it.

5. Breathe in the Fresh Air

Camping offers a lot of fresh air. Indoor air can be more polluted that outdoor air, say experts. Experts encourage us to open windows and ventilate our home often. Spending time outdoors, especially overnight, is a great way to get fresh air’s benefits. The oxygen content in areas with many trees is higher. It is easier to relax and breathe when there are trees around.

6. Exercise for Natural Beauty

What is the best thing about camping? Natural boredom. We want to explore without the distractions at home like TVs, videogames and other devices. This naturally leads to physical activity in a high-oxygen, natural light environment that makes movement even more beneficial! This is good for our overall health as well as our physical health.

And if you’re doing camping activities like swimming or kayaking in the sunshine, you’ll get vitamin D too!

7. Mental Health Benefits

Camping is not only a great way to relieve stress but can also help improve mental health. When we’re tired and our circadian rhythms aren’t working well, it takes a toll on our mental health. Our frequent use of electronic devices and social media has its downsides as a society. Then there’s the stress and busyness of everyday life.

Camping is good for our mental health because it allows us to get away from stressors and other distractions. You can develop new skills such as shelter building and foraging. These activities that require us to solve problems help develop our creativity and nourish our brain cells. You only have to worry now about starting the fire!

Camping Tips

You’re ready to go outside and enjoy nature? To get the maximum benefit, here are some tips:

1. Get rid of artificial lightTo avoid the bright LED flashlights, stick to natural light sources like a campfire, candles and natural lanterns. To avoid LED flashlights, stick to natural lighting sources such as a candle, natural lanterns, or a campfire.
2. Smartphones: It’s so easy for us to pull out electronics, especially when they’re portable and easy to grab. Ditch the social media scrolling, videos, and unnecessary smartphone use while you’re out.
3. Cook natural foods: Don’t use camping as an excuse to eat s’mores. Unless they’re made with Homemade marshmallowsAnd healthy ingredients, of course. Other junk food. Roasting fruits, vegetables, meat and other natural foods on campfires is a great way to enjoy them. My kids love roasting apples on the fire. Here’s a whole list of healthy Camping food ideas
4. Stay for the long haulThe most beneficial camping trip is three days or longer. Plan a family vacation for a full week and reap the rewards!
5. Get good gearThe worst thing you can do is to get caught in a tent which leaks when it rains. Investing in good quality tents is a wise investment. camping gearIt will last many years.

Ways to Get (Some) of the Benefits of  Camping While at Home

Despite all of the benefits, I know a few people who adamantly refuse to camp. They are afraid to venture into the wilderness! If a team of wild horses couldn’t tear you away from the comforts of home, there are a few things you can do to get some camping benefits.

• Reduce artificial light: One of the biggest benefits of being outdoors is the break from artificial lighting. Even if you aren’t ready to sleep in the woods, you can still Blue light is good for your health.. At night we use light bulbs with orange spectrum. I also wear blue light blocking glassesReduce blue light exposure after dark
• Cleaning the airThe abundance of fresh, clean air is another benefit of being outdoors. Keep your indoor air cleanHere are some tips to help you.
• Sleep enoughSleeping more is a key factor in many of the camping benefits! Experts seem to all agree that sleeping more is good for your health. Plus it’s free for the most part. Make sleeping a priority, and schedule enough time for it. Here are some tipsImprove your sleep.

Camping is a favorite activity for your family. What are your favorite camping spots in the world? Comment and share your favorite camping spots!