5 Ways Camping in the Smoky Mountains Tennessee Can Improve Your Health
Everyone knows that camping is a lot of fun, but did you know that it can be good for your health too? The latest evidence suggests that camping has a variety of benefits that you may not be aware of. After doing a little research, the team at Pigeon River Campground put together a list of five ways camping in the Smoky Mountains Tennessee can improve your health and wellbeing:
1. Reduce Your Stress
No matter what your occupation may be, chances are good that you experience stress on a daily basis. That stress is bad news for your health. Being the victim of long-term stress can predispose people toward anxiety, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal problems.
If you feel like you’re living in an endless cycle of stress, then you need to take a camping break! Camping relieves stress because it provides an opportunity to slow down. You get to focus on the important things in life while your blood pressure returns to normal and you start to breathe easier. Do you remember what it was like to be able to take deep, relaxing breaths of fresh mountain air? You will after you go camping.
2. Get Active
Do you find that you don’t have time to exercise? If so, you’re not alone. Many people lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle because they don’t have time to exercise or because they don’t like working out. This lifestyle can lead to weight gain and a host of health concerns that range from the annoying to the very serious.
Camping in the Smoky Mountains Tennessee is the antidote to this problem. It’s virtually impossible to enjoy the great outdoors without experiencing an accompanying uptick in your activity levels. Whether you’re hiking, biking, pitching a tent, or swimming in the river, you’re bound to get active while you camp, and it may become a habit that you continue at home.
(See Also: Top 3 Things to Do While Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains)
3. Enjoy Restorative Sleep in Nature
Insomnia is an epidemic in this country. Every night, thousands of people experience the frustration of trying to fall or stay asleep without a great deal of success. All of that missed sleep makes people tired, irritable, and more prone to getting sick.
Fortunately, a few nights of camping can help to alter this pattern. Sleeping in the outdoors is peaceful and refreshing. At our beautiful campground, you’ll enjoy the soft calls of the night birds and the rushing of the river. These calming sounds create the ideal lullaby to ease you into a restful sleep.
4. Reconnect with Your Family
Study after study has demonstrated the value of good relationships and how they can benefit people physically, mentally, and emotionally. Camping limits the distractions that prevent you from connecting on a meaningful level at home.
When you go camping, make a pledge to turn off the cell phones, laptops, and other gadgets for at least a few hours every day. This gives your family a chance to connect on a deeper level. Play games, sing songs, tell stories, or share your favorite memories of the day around the campfire. Your hearts and minds will feel the benefits.
5. Improve Your Mood
Many people have noticed that they feel better after taking a walk or enjoying some time outdoors. In fact, the University of Michigan has reported that even a short nature walk has the power to boost your mood. Similarly, Stanford University suggests that some outdoor time helps people ruminate less. Our campsite is close to both the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for walking and hiking!
To learn more about camping in the Smoky Mountains Tennessee, check out our About Pigeon River Campground page!
