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Camping is the perfect COVID-19 activity. It allows you to practice social distancing while getting out of the house, enjoying your natural surroundings and taking a break from the cabin fever that is driving so many people slightly bonkers from being cooped up for hours on end.
Camping allows a lot more space and distance than your daily visit to the grocery store, gas station, or many outdoor activities. It also allows you the freedom to select your spot which can even be out of hearing range instead of just a couple of meters away.
Backyard camping is a great alternative for escaping the house and have a great time while staying safe. It is an easy way to have fun without too much planning, packing up the car, traveling to a site, or dealing with making site reservations. Read on for some of the many health perks associated with backyard camping.
Fresh air
Research shows that some time outdoors can improve your blood pressure, improve digestion and give your immune system an extra boost. When you spend a few days outside, you get some serious health benefits from the extra oxygen and low levels of pollutants.
Better quality family time
Setting up camp, playing games and being able to just sit around and talk to each other without texting or staring at a screen while having a conversation is something that German families do quite often. Especially during no-school days.
Improved moods
Cabin fever is running rampant in households all over the world, especially for families with several children and pets. No matter what size yard you have, backyard camping is a great change of scenery from being in the house for hours on end, which will allow the kids to burn off more energy and take off the edge.
Less stress
There is a lot of research about camping and stress reduction. Stress can negatively affect your health in ways that you don’t even realize. The lack of stress while camping is related to increased oxygen levels, higher levels of serotonin and managed levels of melatonin. We are less annoyed and angry over little things when outside and doing something fun.
Exercise
Moving around in the yard while camping, gardening and engaging in fun activities burns a lot more calories in a couple of hours than slowly moving from one room to the other in the house and finding the nearest place to sit. The additional exercise outside also results in a better night of good quality sleep.
Some activities I planned as a summer camp counselor were setting up a play tent, obstacle course, relay races, musical chairs with pieces of cardboard, nature scavenger hunts, yoga for youngsters, balloon volleyball, building a shelter, survival skills, and outdoor cooking. You can create your own or refer to the web sites listed at the end of this article.
Do:
- Use a small grill or pit for campfires
- Keep the kids engaged in activities with plenty of breaks for water and snacks
- Clean up after every meal and snack
- Have enough supplies outside to limit trips inside the house apart from bathroom breaks
- Check your yard for biting or stinging insects and check yourself and kids for ticks or bites
Don’t:
- Leave a grill or fire pit hot or smoldering
- Leave trash or any food items around.
- Ignore German quiet hours and disturb the neighbors
- Let electronic devices distract your family from having real fun
For more information:
www.rei.com
www.itsgreatoutthere.com
www.pinterest.com
