A Camping Misconception:
Will camping take care of my stress?
No, camping won’t “fix” a stress problem but it can act as a powerful pressure release valve. Camping doesn’t change your job, your finances or the emails waiting in your inbox. When you return, the stress factors will likely still be there. However, camping provides a system reboot. Here is what the outdoors can actually do to help stress, and what it doesn’t.
What camping can do:
Being outdoors has been known to help retired veterans relax and that could lead to improved sleep. Camping often gives our brain a break from the relentless demands that keep our minds working overtime. Looking at a mountain, ocean or a beautiful clear sky physically reminds us of how small our daily worries are in the grand scheme of things. Pitching a tent, gathering firewood and cooking over a camp stove forces us into the physical present moment and might help reduce some anxiety. I’m just a guy with a history of doing some dangerous jobs, I had to find a way to reduce my stress but I’m not a doctor.
Camping does not:
Solve root causes of a retired veterans problems. If our stress comes from a toxic workplace, relationship issues or negative environments, tents, campfires and a sleeping bag for a weekend won’t resolve them. Nature is relaxing but it is not a replacement for actual therapy, medication or lifestyle changes if we’re experiencing burnout or serious anxiety problems.
The Verdict:
Camping might help the symptoms of stress, in my humble opinion but it isn’t a cure for the source of our stress. If we go camping hoping it will magically erase all of your problems, you might find that your mind just follows you into the woods. If you go to the campsite with the intention of resting your nervous system, gaining some quiet and returning with a clearer head, a peaceful campsite can be very helpful.