{"id":3983,"date":"2024-03-20T13:52:45","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T03:22:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=3983"},"modified":"2024-03-20T13:53:31","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T03:23:31","slug":"is-camping-a-type-of-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/is-camping-a-type-of-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Camping a Form of Therapy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I don’t think I have ever used the words ‘camping’ and ‘therapy’ in the same sentence before.<\/p>\n

I have always gone camping simply because I enjoyed it. I like using all my gear<\/a>, sleeping in my tent<\/a>, spending time with my family, and food always tastes better cooked on the campfire<\/a>. What’s more, I read that past studies from the Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom found 93 percent of campers believe the experience makes them happier.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Camping offers the opportunity to use our gear, spend quality time with family, and cook food on a campfire.<\/i><\/p>\n

How Camping Changes Perspective<\/h2>\n

There was a time following recent events in my life when I felt the need to be somewhere I had space, silence, and simplicity. Somewhere to rationalise my thoughts. I needed to be in the outdoors.<\/p>\n

I needed a camping<\/a> trip.<\/p>\n

Due to the unorganised state of my camping gear<\/a>, a small window of opportunity, and really, really bad weather – I did not manage the impromptu camping trip I needed. This highlighted to me that I get much more out of a camping trip than I realised. I don’t just go camping for fun; I also need it as a type of therapy. To bring myself back to a sort of reality. To keep perspective on the important things in my life.<\/p>\n

\"Sitting<\/p>\n

Sitting back and enjoying nature is a great way to clear your head. Image: Ben Collaton.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Appreciating the Small Things<\/h2>\n

I needed to use my camping gear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I enjoy packing my car<\/a>, pitching my tent<\/a>, using my headtorch<\/a>, and lighting a fire<\/a>. I wanted time to appreciate the small things, like the sound of light rain<\/a> on my tent fly, cold morning air on my face, and the way the stars shine brighter in the wilderness.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

It’s the simple things, like preparing hot food and drink on a campfire.<\/em><\/p>\n

Food Prepared on a Campfire<\/h2>\n

I looked forward to getting up early so I can see my breath in the icy cold air while I make coffee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I craved some really simple camp food<\/a>. The type that would taste somewhat ordinary at home, but is suddenly an incredibly mouth-watering delight when cooked over a campfire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ben and Lauren discuss campfire cooking gear on the Snowys Camping Show:<\/strong><\/p>\n