The Healing Power of Nature: How It Can Improve Your Mental and Physical Health

Nature is often underrated when it comes to providing mental health, physical, and even emotional health to a distressed individual.

While anecdotal evidence supports the notion that staying or camping in nature is helpful, there is still no formal or universal established mechanisms as to the specific correlation between health and nature.

In recent decades, travel and tourism as an intertwined industries saw the spike in booked flights, staycation, or holiday getaway to nature either in a local or international level.

Individuals can immerse themselves in several leisure activities in nature, including swimming in popular beaches, sunbathing along the shores, skydiving, cave exploration, and among others.

However, there is one recurring activity that is also closest to nature, camping, a form of outdoor recreational activity. It involves the famous yet temporary outdoor shelter called tents, as well as bonfire during nights along with several other people.

The benefits of camping are not evident in medical books but some health experts say it is good for one's mental and physical health.

Health Benefits of Camping

(Photo : Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Camping is known to be one of the many outdoor activities given by educational institutions to its students and staff, as well as companies to their employees in the form of team building.

Amongst friends and families, the so-called "nature camping" is known for reinforcing or strengthening social relationships, in addition to physical health and practical skills while outside one's home.

According to the New Zealand government's Auckland Council, the following are the several benefits of camping trips:

experiencing peace and quietness away from modern and digital technology
engaging in more physical exercise while using energy to prepare and store food, as well as in fishing, walking, swimming, or bike riding
reduces stress obtained from the hassle and buzzle of city life
improving relationships with friends, families, or colleagues, especially those you have weak ties with
sharpens memory as your body releases higher levels of the hormone serotonin when surrounded by trees and fresh air
improves sleep habits as camping provides exposure to another hormone called melatonin, which helps regulate our sleep and wake cycles
vitamin D boost due to prolonged exposure to large amount of sunlight

Also Read: Nature Projects Reported to Have Positive Impact on Young People's Mental Health

Healing Power of Nature

The UK-based charity organization Mind stated spending time in green space, even in urban areas, can help a person with his or her mental and physical wellbeing.

Aside from nature camping, the organization cited activities like growing food or flowers, engaging in outdoor exercise, or being around animals can bring a myriad of positive effects.

In a previous study covered by Nature World News, which was published in the journal Environmental International, scientists advocated the existing evidence that nature brings health benefits to people, event in small patches of nature within the city.

A growing number of medical professionals have also used "nature prescriptions" as a medical advice for their patients with mental health problems.