9 of the Best Health Benefits of Camping

Last Updated on April 3, 2024 by ETC Team

It goes without saying that camping is a lot of fun but there are also health benefits of camping. You may be a seasoned camper, with a number of trips under your belt. Maybe you are just getting started in the camping scene. Or maybe you’ve never been camping but you’re curious and ready to go on your first adventure.

No matter your experience level, when you pack for that camping trip, you are also bringing with you the countless health benefits associated with it. The fresh air that surrounds you as you breathe, spending quality time outdoors, free of daily stresses and taking in the sunshine, camping can do a world of good both physically and mentally, whether you’re alone or with family or friends.

So as you map out your camping plans, whether it’s trip number 1 or 100, know that in addition to planning a vacation, you’re doing your body a favor. From improved sleep to healthier eating, here are 9 health benefits of camping.

Camping has many health benefits – Here are 9 of them.

1. Reduce Stress

One of the greatest health benefits of camping is breaking away from the monotony and grind of the day-to-day. For many of us, that means an escape from work, traffic, the overload of city living, and the stresses that come with long hours — whether that be in an office or commuting. When you go camping, away from all that hustle and bustle, there is an opportunity to reset, refresh and recharge. The stress just falls away when all those distractions and pressures are removed, even if only temporarily. And to experience the benefits you don’t need to go on a long backpacking journey, either. You’d be pleasantly surprised by what a little time with nature can do to relieve stress.

2. Better Sleep

If you’ve ever used a white noise app or sound machine, you’ll notice the main choices for audio include ambient nature sounds, like chirping birds and rippling water. It’s just common sense that sleeping in tranquil, zen-like environment is far more soothing and relaxing then, say, the sounds of car horns or sirens blaring. Plus, when you’re camping, your body is naturally more in tune with its environment, meaning you’re more likely to feel tired when the sun sets and feel energized when it rises. This helps establish more of a healthy rhythmic cycle that isn’t nearly as possible when we’re wound up in routine making this one of the best health benefits of camping.

3. Better Eating

It stands to reason that when you find yourself surrounded by tempting junk foods, sugar, snacks, and fast-food makes it difficult to follow a balanced diet. But when you’re camping, most of those indulgent tendencies go away out of necessity. Since overall you’ll need to trim down your packing list, and therefore your shopping list, camping creates the opportunity to focus on more wholesome ingredients and meals that adhere to a healthier lifestyle. Items like a simple meat cooked over a grill, or some kabobs loaded with fresh veggies, for example. And because a camping trip is about finding balance and the health benefits of camping, you don’t need to worry, there will always be room for s’mores.

4. Reduced Depression

Much like an all-natural shot of serotonin, time in nature is an inherent mood-booster. This can work wonders when it comes to warding off depression, anxiety, and other emotional woes. In every aspect, both physically and mentally, our senses are more involved in genuine, wholesome ways. Finding time, and in some ways, making time, to escape everyday issues that cause stress and harm is an important path to replace those feelings with happiness, accomplishment, and alleviation.

5. Social Interactions

Breaking away from technology and the innate distractions that come with the ordinary routines, affirms happier and healthier ways to shape and encourage bonds with family and friends. When we remove the distractions that social medias can have on attention, our instincts become more focused on those around us. Even if you feel “connected” and close to loved ones in your “everyday” life,” you’d be surprised at how much you can learn about each other when spending quality time camping. Many times you can emerge from a camping trip much closer you might otherwise. This is how treasured memories are made, and memories last a lifetime.

6. Physical Activity

One of the more obvious health benefits of camping, all of the physical activity and exercise that you will naturally encounter. And it’s an added bonus that the exercise you get is also fun and exciting. Not that going to the gym can’t be rewarding, but on a camping trip the opportunity presents itself to go fishing, swimming, hiking, and biking, not to mention all the fun lawn-style games you might be able to tackle, like cornhole, frisbee, horseshoes, and pickleball. Before you know it, you’ll be working up quite a sweat while having a blast during your adventures.

7. Opportunity To Focus

Technology can be beneficial in so many ways. And in a lot of ways it’s become a necessary part of our lives. But there can be downsides that come with its universal use. Our minds become reliant on it, our smartphones keep us constantly plugged in, and social media has us documenting every step of our activities. Taking a break from all that for a much needed reset, in a natural setting escaping the reach of WiFi, forces us into a heightened state of focus. Not only will it feel refreshing to suddenly not have the distraction of every digital thing, but you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the simplicity of the natural world around you.

8. Time To Heal

Oftentimes, nature-based activities are crucial parts of healing regimens prescribed during various recovery processes. In addition to physical therapies, many of which can be aided by various outdoor activities that exercise important muscles, manage pain, and bolster immune functions, there are numerous benefits that come with healing the mind. After coping with trauma, there’s nothing quite as comforting as escaping into the peacefulness of nature. Sometimes letting wounds heal in an environment that feels holistic and nurturing can be just what the body and mind calls for.

9. Vitamin D

The Sunshine can heal. You can feel the rays from just about any vantage point when you’re outside, but when you add camping to the outside part, you could say it’s taken to another level.

It’s not only the fact that you’re draped in it and warmed by it, but the fresh air that comes with it, the smell from the forest aroma that permeates alongside it, all contribute to a greater sense of wellness and comfort. I don’t know about you, but I tend to smile more when the sunshine hits my face and it’s one of my favorite health benefits of camping.

Sunlight, when it comes down to it, is a key component of the Vitamin D we receive daily. A number of health benefits such as calcium retention, bone strength, inflammation reduction, and many other cellular functions can be assisted with the intake of vitamin D.