Pitchup.com reveals UK's too 20 campsites to boost wellbeing

Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health and camping offers that easy gateway to spending quality time in the great outdoors. Accommodation specialists, Pitchup.com, have revealed the 20 best campsites to book for a mental well-being boost that includes The Old Dairy Farm Caravan and Camping site in Oxfordshire (pictured) and the West End Farm Campsite in Gloucestershire. The top three ranked campsites that help to generate positive emotions can all be found in the North of England while the coastal county of Norfolk is home to 25% of the top 20 campsites set to boost well-being.

Brodie Farrow, Pitchup's brand marketing manager, grew up in East Anglia and says "I can easily see why so many Norfolk campsites make the leaderboard when it comes to improving wellbeing. The skies naturally lend themselves to mindfulness, not to mention that it's one of the sunniest and driest parts of the country, which definitely helps to boost your mood! The slower and quieter pace of life in the Norfolk countryside fosters a sense of calm that is the perfect antidote to city living and its vast sandy beaches are less busy and more peaceful than other UK coastal hotspots.

"Other campsites across the UK found to especially support wellbeing are located in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Derbyshire, Dorset, Gwyendd, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, North Yorkshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire - all commended for their natural and peaceful surroundings. Analysing 30,000 reviews on Pitchup.com over the last 12 months, the research looked at over 30 keywords* linked to mental health and wellbeing (and improvements in the same), to compile a list of the sites where these terms were used most frequently by reviewers.
 

Why camping is so good for mental health and wellbeing 

According to mental health and wellness experts, spending time on an outdoor break immersed in nature is one of the best ways to combat stress and anxiety, and improve mental health.

Beverley Jones, a speaker and author specialising in mental health and resilience says that like many people “'When anxiety kicks in, I head out. Being outside listening to nothing apart from the sound of nature clears my mind, stops the chasing thoughts, brings back balance and transports me back to calm. Whether beach or countryside, anxiety is reduced once nature has played its part - for me, it's the best medication.” 

Here, the experts at Pitchup.com give their 5 top reasons for ways in which outdoor holidays can foster better mental health and wellbeing:

1. Digital detox
An outdoor adventure allows people to switch off from the daily use of digital gadgets including phones and computers, instantly providing a much-needed digital detox and escape from the pervasive nature of online activity exchanging it for physical activity.

2. Better sleep
Reducing the amount of time spent on digital gadgets and electronic devices helps ensure a more restful sleep pattern. Being away from traffic and the noise of the city also helps to fully switch off and reset the body clock. In fact, the word ‘peace’ has been mentioned in over 19,000 Pitchup reviews so far this year.

3. More exercise
Due to more sedentary lifestyles, many people fail to get the recommended amount of daily movement under their belts. From hiking trails to biking, camping promotes you to engage in frequent physical activity which helps get your heart rate up. Physical exercise is also not just good for the body, it’s also great for the mind. Being active releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good, and provide an alternative focus for the brain. 

4. Relationship building
An outdoor-based holiday usually means less wifi which in turn means more time to spend communicating with family or friends, thus strengthening relationships. According to health studies, positive interactions can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.

5. Connection with nature
Many reports have cited spending time in nature to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Spending days and nights, in nature on a campsite are the perfect way to soothe the soul with fresh air and the sights and sounds of nature. 

Pitchup.com is the market-leading online booking site for campsites, glamping sites and caravan parks, with over 5,300 sites available to book in 65 countries. Over 80 useful filters allow users to search based on themes ranging from ‘peaceful’ to ‘wildlife haven’ or ‘remote location’ as well as practicalities like wifi, on-site fitness centres and accessible facilities, while detailed reviews from past guests against each listing give further tips and feedback. 

To book, visit https://www.pitchup.com