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Leah Russell4 min

Five Ways to Escape Into Nature This World Wellbeing Week

June 23, 2023

by Max Schmidt An escape into nature is the perfect way to enjoy World Wellbeing Week (26-30 June). Have you ever returned from your holiday feeling completely exhausted because you had to manage the stress of organising and planning on the go? With a limited amount of time to spend on vacation, it’s often the case that summer holidays are just as jam-packed as our regular day-to-day. That’s why Max Schmidt, chief adventurer at CamperDays, believes a holiday spent immersed in nature is the perfect way to rest, recharge and reconnect with the world around us. Max says: ‘The perfect antidote to our busy modern lives is exposure to the outdoors and immersion in nature. Feeling the sun on my skin and the grass between my toes, surrounded by beautiful and awe-inspiring natural phenomena, certainly makes me feel recharged, and works wonders for my mental health. ‘Getting out in nature is by no means the absolute cure to all modern social ills, but a change of scenery and routine reminds us that there’s more to life than work. In fact, there’s much research advocating for the benefits of more time spent in and around nature. What could be a better way to mark World Wellbeing Week than a drive to the wild and embracing the beauty of the natural world?’ So, whether you’re planning on vacationing or staycationing, Max shares his favourite outdoor activities that will leave you feeling rested and recharged:

Forest bathing

Coined in Japan during the 1980s, shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is a wellbeing exercise involving a lengthy sit down or stroll through the woods as you bask in the sights, sounds, smells and textures of the forest. Japanese doctors in the 1980s were noticing a rise in stress-related illnesses across the country that they attributed to increased time spent working at computer screens in fast-paced offices. Research has shown that a forest walk can decrease our levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. It’s also been suggested that exposure to natural tree oils present in the air in forests helps to combat depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Similarly, looking at and being surrounded by swathes of green has been shown to sharpen the mind and boost the attention span.

Find out more about the healing magic of the forest.

Stargazing

Looking up at the celestial tapestry above can do wonders for mental health. Not only do you reap the benefits of being outside, but seeing the vast expanse of the universe above us has a surprisingly therapeutic effect on the psyche. Researchers from the University of California-Irvine found that experiencing awe at the natural world reduces feelings of egocentrism, which helps us to not be so self-centred, making us nicer and more agreeable individuals. In addition to that, fixating on how the stars join together to make constellations and other ethereal images is an excellent creative outlet. The stars really are accessible from anywhere, but the best spots are in rural areas where they aren’t obfuscated by excess light pollution.

Blue mind

If you’re road-tripping by the sea or in the lakes, you’ll notice the instant calm of being in close proximity to water. This is known as what marine biologist Wallace J Nichols coined the ‘blue mind’, which is the state of tranquillity we fall into when near, in, or on the water. It’s essentially a natural remedy to the ‘red mind’, which is the perpetual state of neuroticism and overstimulation the stresses of modern life often force us to function in. A road trip along the coast passing through quaint seaside towns is one way to access some blue, or for those looking for a more active pastime, cannonballing into a natural pool or surfing the waves is another way to fall into the “blue mind”.

Cold water swimming

This water-based pastime is popular with Brits any time of year, mainly due to the thrill and the exhilaration that comes with taking the plunge. Not only is it great exercise, the hobby brings with it all manner of mental health benefits, as the thrill of the chill releases endorphins to give you a natural high. Inevitably, the shock of the cold will trigger the release of stress hormones, such as noradrenaline and cortisol, and the full-body immersion helps you master the art of stress regulation which you can incorporate into your everyday life. You can practice cold water swimming anywhere, be it in seas, lakes, lochs or lidos. But if you want to experience some cold water therapy from the comfort of your own home, you can start slow by submerging your hands into a bowl of ice water. Or, book into a specialist cryotherapy clinic for those not so willing to bare all in the great outdoors!

Foraging

Foraging is a fun and stimulating way to get out and about in nature, especially if you’ve got kids in tow. Not only do they get to disconnect from devices and breathe in the fresh air, they get to see where the food they love comes from, and how it links to the environment which we must protect. If hunting for blackberries, keep an eye out for the dark purple ones, as that’s when they’re ripe and ready to be picked and cleaned for eating. And what better to do with the fruits of your labour than bake them into a yummy crumble, or simply enjoy them with cream? Many flowers are edible, too, such as dandelions, and you can whizz dandelion greens up in the blender with coconut water, banana, and some of your leftover foraged blackberries to create a nutritious smoothie. The array of colours of the natural world have proven calming effects on the mind, allowing us to destress and take a moment to rebalance. The best places to forage blackberries are in Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire and Croome, Worcestershire, but for more plants native to specific countries across the globe, it’s best to consult a forager’s handbook. When we’re feeling low or highly strung, what’s required is to remember what’s out there. Whatever stresses may feel so significant to us, have no effect on the ever-constant scenery around us. Connect with CamperDays Instagram @camperdays.international.