Here at RVshare, we are driven by the mission to encourage you to spend more time outside. Why? Because it’s good for you! There are so many physical and mental benefits that come from unplugging and getting outside in nature; from enhanced mood to the feeling of relaxation – there is nothing quite like being outdoors. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how we’re spending our time and an opportunity to renew our intention to spend more of it outside. Whether it is soaking up the sun, going on a trail hike, or gazing up at the starry sky, we’ve all experienced the boosted sense of renewal and freeness that comes simply from being outdoors. That’s why outdoor time should be part of both your everyday life and your travel plans. Experiencing outdoor travel greatly benefits you both physically and mentally; after all, your time off shouldn’t make you more tired or stressed but rather leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
How the Outdoors Benefit Our Mental Health
We believe so strongly that the benefits of the outdoors are real and powerful that we took it to the polls. In a poll conducted by Talker Research that surveyed 2,000 US adults, we learned that 57% are craving time spent outdoors now more than ever before.
Why do people want to spend time outdoors? Results found that those who spent time outside said:
- 68% say it relaxes them
- 66% say it puts them in a better mood
- 64% said it helps them clear their head
On the other hand, spending more time inside than preferred can lead to:
- 38% say feelings of depression
- 33% say anxiousness
- 32% say loneliness
Six in 10 (58%) will get stir-crazy after spending too much time inside, with the average threshold of indoor time being 10.5 hours.
Negative emotions are also the result of outdoor plans getting derailed whether due to cancellations or bad weather. Forty-eight percent of respondents reported feeling disappointed when their outdoor plans change, while others feel frustrated (32%), and annoyed (28%).
Outdoor Travel Preferences & Benefits
Let’s take it one step further and look into outdoor travel preferences and the benefits that this way of spending time outdoors brings about. A shift in travel preferences as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has Americans traveling to places in nature (16%) and taking more trips that benefit their mental health (15%).
Findings revealed that 67% of Americans view travel as a method of self-care and four in 10 (42%) said they need to book a trip to “escape” at least once every six months.
One-third of Americans (33%) regularly book vacations around outdoor activities they enjoy and are the most excited about trips to the beach (44%), national park visits (29%) and cross-country driving (12%).
In fact, over half (57%) prefer to drive to their destination while on vacation compared to flying at 25%.
This could be due to the belief that the journey to a destination is part of the vacation itself, which is felt by the majority of respondents (83%). Or the fact that flying for vacation is more expensive than RVing as we found in a previous study.
All in all, outdoor trips are having a positive impact on American lives, as indicated by 83% of survey respondents.
Those who are vacationing in the great outdoors are seeing benefits to their mental health through reduced stress (36%), experiencing mental recharging (33%), and a gained perspective of gratitude for the things they have (23%).
More resources on health benefits and RVing:
The Top 7 Health Benefits of Time Outdoors – Updated 2024
