12 Tips to Slow Down and Relax While Camping
- Campspotter
People in 2024 are no strangers to stress, thanks to inflation and current events. But new data from Campspot’s recent survey shows campers are seeking a safe haven in the great outdoors.
Read on to learn why camping tops other methods of travel this year and how other campers are calm-cationing this summer. Then use our full list of tips to slow down, get comfortable, and indulgently relax on your next camping trip.
New Data: Campers Want a Summer Slowdown in Nature
Money concerns and tightened wallets won’t stop campers. While nearly three-quarters (72%) of campers are currently stressed about economic uncertainty, 89% are concerned about “shrinkflation,” and 73% say these concerns have impacted their travel plans for the year, 94% still plan to camp the same or more than last summer.
That’s because camping offers the chance to hit pause on the stresses of daily life and slow down. Nearly all campers (95%) are prioritizing relaxation and downtime on their summer camping trips. While adventure and new experiences may have been top priorities in previous years, travelers are now saying “sense of calm and relaxation” (70%) and “a break from the everyday routine” (66%) are top of mind.
A Better Reset Button Than All the Rest
Amazingly, 86% of campers would rather receive a week of camping versus a week at a luxury spa.
This makes sense when you consider that 9 out of 10 campers say they feel more relaxed and mentally refreshed after camping compared to other kinds of trips. The positive mental-health impacts of camping are undeniable:
- 98% of campers report that camping positively impacts their mental health
- 91% say they feel more connected to nature than social media while camping
- 71% claim camping helps them manage stress better than meditation
12 Tips to Relax in Comfort While Camping
Level up your own next camping experience into one of ultimate relaxation and comfort. Follow the tips below to slow down and create an inviting, serene, and enjoyable camping environment that truly feels like home away from home. It’s time to relax while camping.
1. Add Personal Touches and Decor
Don’t underestimate the power of decor in making your RV or campsite feel instantly cozier and more like home. For RVers, this can be as simple as hanging up family photos, favorite artwork, or travel mementos. Consider using removable wall decals, peel-and-stick wallpaper, or command hooks to add a splash of color, pattern, or decor without making permanent changes.
Pillows and cozy blankets can instantly warm up the space in your tent or RV and make it feel more inviting. Adding a small indoor plant or two can also bring a touch of nature inside and improve the overall ambiance. Fake plants are a great low-maintenance option.
Read Next: How to Decorate Your Campsite for the Holidays
2. Cozy Up With Soft Lighting
Create a relaxing atmosphere as the sun goes down with soft, ambient lighting. Use a combination of battery-operated candles, string lights, and LED lamps to create a cozy ambiance.
Battery-powered fairy lights wrapped around trees, a doorframe, or awning can enhance your overall campsite vibes, or you can even stuff them into mason jars to create a twinkling tablescape.
3. Roll Out the Camping Rug
Outdoor camping rugs and mats, which are woven in a breathable material that makes them easy to store and clean, can go a long way in making your campsite both more functional and enjoyable.
For RVers, the camping rug creates the perfect patio area for lounging—not just for adults, but also for kids to crawl around in without getting dirty. Having the rug right outside your RV can also keep the dirt tracked into your vehicle kept to a minimum.
Tent campers can place a camping mat outside their tents to catch dirty shoes, gear, or clothing before bringing them inside. You can also put an outdoor rug inside your tent to both protect the tent floor and bring coziness into your space.
The assortment of available rug styles and sizes will ensure you can create a campsite that looks and feels like your own.
4. Invest in a Canopy
A canopy—whether a pop-up canopy or simply a tarp—is one of those nice-to-haves that can make a big impact on your camping comfort and relaxation.
If you’re camping in the rain, it provides a dry place to cook, eat, store your chairs or gear, and enjoy your cup of coffee. If you’re camping in the sun, it offers a shady haven to do the same.
You’ll be equipped to fully relax outside, regardless of the weather.
5. String Up a Hammock
Set up your own relaxation station with a hammock, where you can nap, read a book, or simply lounge the day away. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the great outdoors from the comfort of a swinging bed.
Make sure to check for campground rules around hammocks. If you’re hanging your hammock between trees, use tree straps (instead of rope or cord) to prevent damage to the tree bark.
6. Enjoy Outdoor Tunes
Improve your mood and get in the groove with waterproof portable speakers, whether you’re at the campsite or kayaking on the water. If there’s a musician in the group, bring out the guitar for some low-key jams around the campfire. Just remember, of course, to be mindful and considerate of neighbors around your campsite.
7. Spend Quality Time With Game Night
One of the best parts of camping is slowing down and bonding with friends and family. Ditch the screens and get some family-friendly competition going with portable outdoor games. Some easy-to-pack options include:
- Decks of cards
- Board games
- Cornhole tournament
- Paddle ball set
- Bocce ball
- Ladder toss
- Frisbee
Don’t forget coloring books and pencils (both for kids and adults!).
Read Next: 9 Awesome Camping Games for Kids and Families
8. Try Aromatherapy
Unwind and relax while camping with some aromatherapy. Bring along a portable essential oil diffuser for a touch of comfort in your RV or tent. Or, simply rub a drop of lavender between your palms, on your temples, your wrists, or on your pillow, and inhale deeply.
In addition to promoting relaxation, you can use oils like lavender, citronella, tea tree, and eucalyptus to create your own natural bug repellent, alleviate headaches, create an air-freshening spritzer for your RV bathroom, or open up congested airways.
9. Settle Into Comfortable Seating
Comfortable camping chairs are required for kicking back outdoors. Take your lounge game up a level, however, by upgrading to a camping loveseat or couch where you can comfortably spread out or snuggle up.
For ultimate comfort while stargazing, consider a stargazing recliner chair that allows you to lean back for views of the night sky (or simply take it easy for a moment). It’s worth a mention, given that 54% of campers claim a view of the night sky and stars contributes to their feeling of relaxation while outdoors.
10. Elevate Your Menu
Eating in the great outdoors is one of the best parts about camping, so enhance your adventure with healthy, delicious dishes and treats that you’ll be excited for for every meal. Yes, intentional meal-planning and prep require effort ahead of time, but good eats around the campfire will keep your whole group energized and level up your entire camping stay.
A few tips:
- Elevate your meal plan with creative or complex dishes. Prep all the ingredients before your trip and throw it together around the campfire for ultimate ease.
- Upgrade your snacks. Make homemade trail mix or protein bars for a healthier, satisfying option, or prep charcuterie for an elevated snack or easy picnic meal.
- Level up your s’mores with gourmet ingredients or different toppings.
- Slow down and enjoy a great cup of coffee with a French press, Aeropress, or pour-over.
- Have some fun with camping cocktails or mocktails, either pre-made or easily whipped up on-site.
Read Next: 20 Easy Camping Recipes for Your Next Trip Outdoors
11. Decorate Your Table
Once you’ve got the food, it’s time to dress the table. Decorating your table with a few touches can create that homey atmosphere for your meal outdoors with loved ones. Pull out the vinyl tablecloth, get the kids to find little treasures to decorate the tablescape (flowers, pinecones, rocks, etc.), and then enjoy family time over a hot meal.
12. Set Yourself Up for Good Sleep
A good night’s sleep is necessary to feel rested and rejuvenated. In addition to investing in solid sleeping gear, here are a few tips to prime yourself for the best sleep outdoors:
- Keep necessary items close at hand. Give designated spots to any items that you might need to reach for in the middle of the night, such as a water bottle, glasses, or headlamp.
- Bring a pillow. A pillow is often the most overlooked and most missed piece of gear.
- Warm your sleeping bag. If it’s chilly, pre-warm your bag by filling a water bottle with warm water and putting it in the footbox, or throwing in your next day’s clothes to fill up some dead space.
- Go to the restroom before bed. Do it right before you hit the hay. If you do wake up needing to go, just do it right away rather than staying up all night thinking about it.
- Don’t forget ear plugs. Eliminate any distractions from snores or tosses and turns in the middle of the night.
- Read or journal to wind down. Use your headlamp rather than the light from your phone, as the latter can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Slow Down and Truly Relax While Camping
From the gear you choose, decorations you bring, and activities you plan, there’s always a way to turn up the dial on cozy comforts and ambience while outdoors. Kick back and relax while camping in style and comfort. Your mind and body will thank you!
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