Nearby Campground in Utah May Hold The Secret To Your Mental Health

If you are feeling overwhelmed and weighed down by life, the solution may be as close as the nearest campground. Turns out some therapists have been aware of the benefits of sitting around a campfire and are now sharing their insights with us. 

Crackling Fire and the Smell of Nature Can Work Mental Health Wonders 

Research has shown that staring into a crackling fire on a still night can lower your blood pressure and calm your mind. The combination of dancing flames and crackling wood has a relaxing effect. Adding people you love is even better. 

Having friends and family circle a campfire can be a great place to feel loved and to interact with others without feeling pressured to fill the silence. Some therapists have used campfires to help troubled teens and combat veterans. 

They have found it a good setting to discuss traumatic events in people’s lives. We all have experiences in our past that affect us at different levels. It might be time to invite some people you love and admire to join you for s’mores in the woods. 

What About a Fire Calms Us? 

Some of those who have studied the effects of a campfire think it harkens back to more primitive times. The fire lit a dark world and made you feel safe from predators. It was a place to listen to wise ones who told stories of the past. 

There is something calming about watching flames dance on a burning log. Nature is always soothing, and the smell of the woods and smoke reconnects with the natural world. Who would have thought the fire pit could be a good therapist. 

Read More: Mental Health Improved For Utahns Who Do More of This

You may have to put your fire in the backyard with the current dry conditions. Heaven knows a wildfire doesn’t help anyone feel calm.