The natural benefits of camping outdoors at home during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of home camping as a coping mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by heightened stress and restricted mobility. Drawing on existing literature regarding the health benefits of nature exposure and leisure activities, we explore how individuals in the UK adapted their recreation practices by camping in their gardens, driveways, and immediate surroundings. Our research examines the multisensory experiences of home camping and their positive impact on self-perceived health and well-being. We argue that these everyday domestic spaces were transformed into therapeutic micro-geographies, fostering a sense of peace, restoration, and connection with the local environment. The findings contribute to pandemic leisure research by highlighting the significance of accessible outdoor spaces, particularly private gardens, for maintaining well-being during crises. We also address issues of unequal access to these restorative spaces, especially for low-income and minority ethnic households, underscoring the need for inclusive urban design strategies that value and enhance small, near-home green spaces.

Résumé
Cet article explore les bénéfices d’un camping chez soi pendant la pandémie COVID‑19. Par le biais d’un sondage qualitatif en ligne et des recherches sur les réseaux sociaux (Instagram), nous avons trouvé que le fait de dormir à l’extérieur améliore la conscience sensorielle du campeur et augmente donc son appréciation de la nature locale. Ce rapport (re)noué avec la nature aide à réduire le stress et l’anxiété, ce qui mène à des sentiments de positivité et d’espoir. Nos conclusions mettent en avant le potentiel d’une nature accessible à proximité pour soutenir la santé mentale et le bien-être.

Resumen
Este artículo explora los beneficios de acampar en casa durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Mediante un cuestionario cualitativo en línea y una investigación en redes sociales como Instagram, descubrimos que dormir al aire libre mejoraba la conciencia sensorial de los campistas, aumentando su aprecio por la naturaleza local. Esta (re)conexión con la naturaleza ayudó a reducir el estrés y la ansiedad, generando sentimientos de positividad y esperanza. Nuestros hallazgos destacan el potencial de la naturaleza urbana cercana y accesible para promover la salud mental y el bienestar.

Rights

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.

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Identifiers

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2025.2507265

Repository URI

https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/28e8ba25-bfa4-4eae-8230-325e9b678d2c