Best Back-To-Nature Trips to Beat Stress
Life gets busy, and it is all too common to find yourself feeling overly stressed and unable to move past the struggles of the day. For times like these, taking a back-to-nature trip can be just the therapy you need.
Think about it. Have you ever felt worried and walked outside, only to discover your mood improves and you feel calmer almost immediately? That’s the miracle of immersing yourself in nature. Now, what if you intentionally plan a trip to create the same feeling but on a grander scale?
The effect nature can have on your mental and physical wellbeing is astonishing, and you’ll soon feel the stress melting away. Perhaps it was naturalist John Burroughs who explained this phenomenon the best when he said “I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.”
Why You Need to Get Away in Nature When Feeling Overly Stressed
One problem with continuing to carry all that stress around with you is that you begin to neglect your self-care. This can potentially lead to illness, weight gain, and even substance use disorder.
When this happens, consider immersing yourself in nature at a restorative mineral spring spa or other green location to de-stress and heal. By removing yourself from the stress and strain of overburdened schedules and deadlines, you can do something beneficial for both your mental and physical health while enjoying incredibly beautiful surroundings.
7 Best Back-To-Nature Trips to Beat Stress
When you’re ready. These are seven nature-focused, eco-friendly, and sustainable vacation spots to unwind and beat that stress.
The Algarve Coast of Portugal
The sounds of soothing waves crashing ashore as the tide comes in can calm even the most stressed-out minds. To experience it yourself, slow down and roam the eco-friendly Algarve Coast of Portugal on your next vacation.
Walk in the warm sands as you admire the cliffs above. Climb aboard a kayak and head out for a day on the water. Lay back and snooze on the beach as the sun caresses your body. You have nowhere else you need to be, nothing or no one else that requires your attention but yourself at this exact moment.
Efforts for sustainability are obvious here, and you’ll feel uncrowded and unrushed as you slow your pace and enjoy life.
Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica
If you prefer a variety of natural scenery, head to Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica. Here you can experience sandy beaches, coral reefs teeming with marine life, and dense rainforests full of exotic tropical plants and wildlife.
Choose one of the eco-lodges for your stay, then immerse yourself in your surroundings. Stay as active as you like, kayaking in the mangroves or snorkeling just offshore, or go the way of the slow-moving sloths that live here and simply relax.
A leader in ecotourism and sustainability practices, Costa Rica is highly protective of its biodiversity, using renewable energy and continuously seeking ways to remain eco-friendly in every way, making it a perfect back-to-nature destination.
Rocky Mountains of Colorado
Spectacular scenery awaits you in the Rocky Mountains of eco-friendly Colorado, one of the best nature escape destinations in the US.
Natural attractions are many in this area, and one place to start is the Rocky Mountains National Park. Make your way along The Trail Ridge Road, crossing the park at high elevations with the potential for spotting incredible wildlife.
Observe landscape changes along the way, reaching up into the snow-capped tundra. These breathtaking sights allow you to slow down and feel the awe of your surroundings, relieving the stress you came here to beat.
West Coastline of Canada’s British Columbia
There are so many ways to immerse yourself in nature in British Columbia. You can get back to nature while hiking through the natural habitat of black bears. Feel awe at the sighting of humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and otters along the coast. Spot bald eagles soaring overhead.
Choose an eco-resort and enjoy relaxing activities, including yoga classes, massage therapy, and spa cuisine. Holistic wellness retreats are common in this sustainable locale and are especially helpful for those following substance abuse and addiction rehab experience to gain a sense of how to move forward and stay healthy without relapsing.
Big Sur, California
When looking for a nature retreat in the busy state of California, make your way to Big Sur on the central coast. Communities here focus on ways to better transition to a sustainable way of life and maintain their natural treasures. These treasures include old-growth redwoods, rugged mountains, and gorgeous beaches.
Stay at an eco-friendly resort or venture over to the New Camaldoli Hermitage, a Benedictine monastery offering rooms surrounded by quaint gardens and the sound of the soothing surf in the background.
Aro Hā in Queenstown, New Zealand
Anywhere you go in this island country of New Zealand will expose you to astonishing natural beauty. One particular place to help beat stress, though, is Aro Hā in Queenstown.
Along with spectacular views and eco-friendly practices, eco-resorts here focus on the mind-body connection, offering activities to help you achieve your peak physical and mental health.
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Vietnam
Experience the beauty of untouched nature and incredible landscapes in Vietnam for a back-to-nature treat. This eco-friendly country offers various lagoons and national parks to enjoy, including the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Ba Be National Park.
Choose hiking, cycling, or one of the many tours available here for a full experience. You can go at your own pace and see firsthand how sustainability is working here in this small country.
Takeaway
Immersing yourself in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety and provide a boost to your overall well-being. So, what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time to alleviate your stress by getting back to nature?
About the author: Dr. Arturo Osorio is a licensed physician practicing in Nicaragua. Dr. Osorio went to Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (León), where he got a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Degree. He has been practicing medicine in public hospitals and private clinics since 2018.