*This article contains a gifted trip
We’ve long heard that nature is great for your mental health, and studies back this up. I’m not at all saying that going for a walk will cure your mental health issues (and get a little annoyed myself when people tell me this). However, getting out into the open, especially in the sun, can be a great step towards looking after your wellbeing.
I don’t get out enough. I’m a bit of a hermit. Working from home coupled with being a mum means that I don’t get the opportunity to escape into the wilderness as often as I’d like. But I was recently given the opportunity to go glamping at Owl Valley, Bideford, with GlampingHub. And so, my partner and I took our baby away into the depths of a gorgeous forest to stay in a large dome.
The dome was gorgeous, complete with a large four-poster bed, inside woodfire, floor cushions and a long bench offering a bottle of prosecco and two glasses.
Outside, there was a wood fired hot tub, a kitchen area, a fire pit, and benches so that we could sit around to toast marshmallows. It was the perfect getaway for our little family. The smile I saw on my son’s face as he tiptoed along the grass was the most wonderful sight.
I have diagnosed mental health issues, and I never really cut myself a break. There’s always *something* I need to be doing, or something I’m telling myself I’m doing wrong. For this break, I decided to give myself a breather. And it was well worth it.
The dome was very far into the forest, about a 15 minute walk from where we’d parked the car. You couldn’t get in any other way. And, because we were so far out into nature, there was no signal – which meant no phones, no excuses to check social media or to ‘just do a little bit of work’. We had no TV, no radio, it was just us and nature.
The first night, we snuggled up in front of the fire as my son slept soundly. We were worried it was going to be a little cold for him, but the fire kept us warm.
The second day, we went out to the beach. Breathing in the sea air was a beautiful feeling, something I didn’t know how much I’d missed. It had been such a long time since I’d gone to the beach. My son built sandcastles and we dipped our toes into the sea. It was windy, which meant chasing after our beach balls and towels – but there was something heartwarming about these moments.
We went to local cafes and something called ‘The Big Sheep’, in Bideford, Devon, where we were staying. We joined other families in feeding the sheep and going on the rides. Even looking back to it now, I smile, because it was truly the best feeling in the world to be able to spend this quality time with my family.
This break also made me realise how much I had been using social media unnecessarily. A quick look here and there turned into hours of doom scrolling, which would lead me to feelings of stress and anxiety. To have this break made me realise that I was spending far too much time online, and not enough time enjoying the world around me.
This, in turn, improved my mental wellbeing – being in a secluded spot with the people I love; no phones, no distractions, easing of anxiety and no overwhelming urges to bury myself into a bottomless pit of worry. It was bliss.
It’s something I’d do over and over again if I had the chance – it was such a beautiful time away and I’m so thankful to GlampingHub for the opportunity.
*GlampingHub is super easy to book with. Find your destination, of domes, bell tents, lodges, shepherds huts, treehouses and more at https://glampinghub.com/.
