[WishfulThinker66]

What is it about the outdoors that seems to lessen our mental health difficulties?

I recently was on a two week long camping trip. I don't think I was anxious once during that entire time.

Well, right on schedule, I get back and so does my anxiety.

[winter4me]

Isn't it wonderful? I love to camp out, it is good for the body and soul, ---for me I think it has to do with the immersion in senses and a reset in our "place in the world"---we are still part of the Whole. I once lived off the grid for many years and that also helped.
Now, I am waiting to go camping------I go alone now but it is still healing and eases my anxieties and lifts my spirits.

[Misery Business]

I love the outdoors and nature, but I also get severe anxiety being out in it. Because of what happened to me I am still unable to be out without an adult or one of my best friends with me in most cases. So I agree that the outdoors is beautiful and refreshing, but it also feels trapping and scary for me as well.

[sarahsweets]

I really believe it has a lot to do with the sunshine(vitamin D) the fresh air (stimulates all the surface nerve endings) and to not be surrounded by things to buy, chores to do. The simplicity of slapping a PB&J together, throwing it in a backpack and taking a short or long hike makes everything better. We are getting ready for our summer camping trip(hubby and I go in the fall as a lovers retreat). We will be up in the Delaware water gap. Lots of waterfalls, trails and some rafting. We have a good site picked out thats more off the loop of the main drag which is more private. A 1/4 to the bathrooms is a bit long but we decided that peace and privacy were more worth it. Also, if you are active camping or being outdoors, like hiking you are exercising which is good for you as well.

[WishfulThinker66]

Yes, it is very stimulating. And yes I am very active outdoors. I have mentioned before my version of camping is roughing it so I am outside the entire time. Although I am sure that even those who 'glamp' or RV it also experience some positive effects. If I could, I would live that way permanently. Even the act of chopping wood is incredibly therapeutic.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

Yes, it is very stimulating. And yes I am very active outdoors. I have mentioned before my version of camping is roughing it so I am outside the entire time. Although I am sure that even those who 'glamp' or RV it also experience some positive effects. If I could, I would live that way permanently. Even the act of chopping wood is incredibly therapeutic.

Girl preach it! We always tent camp. We’ve yet to camp at a place with showers and we don’t care. Most of them have lakes if we are so utterly filthy. Last year in cherry springs state park we almost hit a bear and her cub driving in and that night we were surrounded by coyotes! It was a blast. Unplugging is good too. There was no signal whatsoever in between those mountains. You get used to it

[tabhady]

It's all about disconnecting! For some of us anxiety is caused by the day-to-day stress and pressure, school, work, bills, obligations, the difficulty of maintaining relationships... Disconnecting from that and doing what YOU want to do is such a relief. I don't think it is nature as much as physically removing yourself from all those things.

[xmascarol]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

What is it about the outdoors that seems to lessen our mental health difficulties?

I recently was on a two week long camping trip. I don't think I was anxious once during that entire time.

Well, right on schedule, I get back and so does my anxiety.

I do know that sometimes when I go outside my depression seems to go away,it is because of the sunshine,the sun is good for anxieties and depression,Staying inside makes it worse because I feel trapped therefore afraid of something happening ,Feel more relaxed outside.Guess it is because our minds are so occupied with everything outside for some reason we dont have the time to worry ,etc

[Goforward]

Being outside helps my mood which helps with the anxiety. Being inside puts me in my head too much.

[downandlonely]

I don't spend enough time outside. It's too hot here most of the year.

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

Yes, it is very stimulating. And yes I am very active outdoors. I have mentioned before my version of camping is roughing it so I am outside the entire time. Although I am sure that even those who 'glamp' or RV it also experience some positive effects. If I could, I would live that way permanently. Even the act of chopping wood is incredibly therapeutic.

This is my type of camping also. The best!

[bornunderabadsign]

I enjoy getting away from everything for a bit. I do miss the internet from time to time while in the back woods. I rarely go primitive camping because I don't have anyone interested in roughing it. But, I do go to a few local state parks where they have a power hook up, water, and a bath house. It is nice but it is more fun when I'm around people my own age instead of my usual camping mates which are either elderly or pre-teens or both. The summer is the worst down here though. If it wasn't for the creeks, rivers, and lakes it wouldn't be as much fun.

[WishfulThinker66]

So I've had a few 'blips' on the low-end of my Anxiety scale; nothing thus far worth panicking or crying over. I had that disappointment at having to cancel my plans for camping a week ago (Mother Nature I resented you for the rain). But for the most part I am still riding the high from my end of May camping road trip.

Out of wanting to remain emotionally healthy, out of wanting to not be idle, out of wanting to spend time with my other half and so on, we have gone ahead and booked three more camping adventures throughout the summer. Yay! I yearn for the wild outdoors.

[-jimi-]

I need nature quite a bit, for my general wellbeing. But unfortunately it doesn't help me with any of my more serious ailments if that makes sense.

[bluekoi]

@WishfulThinker66,

Thank you for creating this thread!

I spend as much time as I possibly can being outside surrounded by nature every day. I still have to take my meds, but being outside is an important part of my self-care.

[-jimi-]

Just look out for the pine cones that might come flying.