Are you a happy camper? Is camping something you recall doing as a child but haven’t managed to do as an adult? Do you pass RVs and trailers on the road and wonder where the drivers are headed and what adventures await them?

Camping is an excellent way to see new places, do new things, and meet new people. Camping narrows life down to a micro-focus and leaves many things behind for another day. Camping connects us with nature, like-minded people, centers us, and reconnects us with God or the universe as a whole.

There are easily recognizable benefits to camping. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of life, eating fun camping foods, and sitting around the fire and reconnecting. Each of these in and of itself are beautiful things, but there are some unexpected benefits to camping as well.

Take a look.

Camping:

• Reminds you to slow down and get some fresh perspective
• Helps you appreciate the small things and simplicities of life
• Keeps you focused on the present and being connected with nature

Slow down and see what happens- The days leading up to a camping trip can be hectic. Organizing the equipment and provisions needed for the trip can be time consuming. Getting your workload handled for time off and being disconnected can feel like a lot of work. Setting up camp and unpacking may be a bit draining, but once the work is done and you begin to take in the atmosphere – the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes – everything changes. Everything seems to slow down, and perspective starts to change.

From sleeping under the stars to cooking breakfast over an open fire, the simplicity and beauty of it all can invigorate and excite you. Lazy days reading books, taking hikes, or chatting with family and friends feels better than it does back home. Over the course of the trip, new perspectives about what matters most tend to shift.

Toilet paper and clean water- Depending on the type of camping you do; you may have an unusual bathroom situation and may or may not have access to limitless clean water. Being forced to use less and make do helps you appreciate the small things. Camping creates a minimalist environment where creativity is key. From conserving water to cooking in creative ways, there are so many small details that come into play that change perspectives.

Wind in the trees and what’s that noise? – Camping is a delight for the senses. Bacon has never smelled as good as it does when camping. The sound of the wind in the trees and the sight of stars at night are magnified. Camping narrows your focus to what is happening in the moment and right in front of you. From heightened hearing, listening for animals both friend and foe, to seeing plants and flowers that aren’t typical in your area, camping keeps you connected with nature in a way you simply don’t do at home.

There are many joys that come with camping. Some obvious and some not so much. Camping can help reset your senses and reconnect you to those you love and the beauty all around you.