The Benefits of Getting Outside and the Gear to Get You Started
I am very excited to be teaming up with Canadian Tire and Coleman Canada as a ‘Get Outside Master’ and to share my expertise on camping with you. Over the next couple months I will be sharing the places I love to go, tips and advice on camping, reasons why I get outside and why I enjoy inspiring and empowering others to get outside.
Before we get into the many “ins and outs” of Camping, know that there are SO many benefits to getting outside:
1) Exploring our country.
Canada has SO much to offer and what better way to experience all these different places than camping. There’s something special about falling asleep under the stars while listening to the sound of the wind, the birds chirping, wolves howling, water rushing and waking up in the fresh air, to incredible views. With Canada’s beauty extending from coast-to-coast and known for its outstanding, diverse landscape, I was shocked to hear that a shocking 63% of Canadians spend less than two hours per week outside doing recreational activities. Perhaps by dedicating one day of the year to getting outside, we can encourage Canadians to extend that to including more and more days out of the year.
2) Health & Well-being
Spending time outdoors, whether it be hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, picnicking or taking a simple nature walk, Mother Nature provides us with numerous health benefits. Getting outside is so important for our optimal health. The natural benefits we receive simply from being outdoors and breathing the fresh air is outstanding.
3) #freshairandfreedom
I often say, nature doesn’t need us, we need nature. My hashtag #freshairandfreedom speaks for itself, as the outdoors is a place where I feel most ‘free’. Free from judgment, from demands, from stress, away from my phone, where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or non-existent. Nature is a place where I find many answers, when I have important decisions to make or am feeling overwhelmed I find when I escape outside things become a lot clearer. Nature is a cheap form of therapy.
4) Break from the chaos
Our work and home lives can get chaotic and busy, and we can start to work on autopilot. By escaping the hustle and bustle and enjoying time outside, whether it be solo time, or with family and friends, we can re-center ourselves, finding peace in nature and simplicity, being able to come back feeling refreshed and ready to conquer ‘reality’.
5) The Gear you need to get started:
The gear you bring with you when camping can make or break the camping experience. Weather can deter a lot of people from getting out and setting up camp, as no one likes to be cold, or wet. Planning in advance and having the proper gear for where you are going and what you are doing is important.
Camping can be minimalistic or as extravagant as you may wish. I do a lot of back country camping with very light weight gear and have to carry it all in on my back. It’s quality over quantity for me so investing in good gear can be important. Though when I
car camp, or want to simply pull up to a site and set up camp, I LOVE being able to bring so much more with me since I have the space for it and want to take advantage of the opportunity to do so. This type of camping can be a lot more affordable and easier for those just starting out, especially for families or larger groups of people. Camping is a great way to bring people together outside!
On my most recent trip to the mountains I took with me The Coleman Prairie Trail Cabin Tent - 8 Person since I knew I was going to be pulling up to my site. I also wasn’t sure about the weather conditions so this tent provided ample space for my pup and I if we were going to have to hide away from the rain. Having extra space provides great comfort, and having brought along with me The Coleman SupportRest Elite PillowStop Double-high airbed we were sure to get an amazing night’s sleep, one that I don’t always get when I am out in the backcountry. I often have many activities on the agenda and being able to get a few good hours of shut eye, leave me with more energy the next day.
Your choice of sleeping bag is also very important. Selecting a sleeping bag according to the weather and temperature is key. When I am camping out of my car or pulling up to a site I don’t have to worry about weight or ‘bulkiness’. I brought with me the Coleman Granite Peak Sleeping Bag on my latest trip to the mountains as it wasn’t supposed to be very cold and is good for 10-21 degrees Celsius. This sleeping bag is perfect for summer nights, and also great when hanging out around the fire/outside on the lawn chair to stay cozy!
I also brought with me the Coleman XL Broadband Quad Chair. It’s so nice to come back after a long day of adventuring or even waking up in the morning, to sit down and have your coffee, eat any meal, or hang out on around the fire.
Camping can be a bit overwhelming at first, as people are unsure what kind of gear to bring with them, or where to go but once you have a few of the essentials and do your research ahead of time you will be ready to head out! If you are just starting out it will surely take a couple trips to get more and more comfortable with everything. The opportunities for camping in Canada are endless, and I hope through the next few blogs I can help relieve a little bit of that stress and get you feeling excited and inspired about the possibilities!
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