How Wild Camping Boosted My Mental Health
A Night in the Woods That Changed Everything
Sometimes life gets heavy. The noise, the stress, the screens, the pressure. I’ve lived that weight — and I’ve found a way to lighten it.
Wild camping in the UK has been more than just an outdoor hobby for me. It’s become a way to reset, to reflect, and to restore my mental health. In this post, I’ll share how I got started, how it’s helped me emotionally, and how you can begin your own journey into the wild.
Finding Calm in the Chaos
It was about 5 p.m., pitch black already, and 2°C. I was deep in the woods with my OEX Phoxx 2 V2 tent, a tarp strung up between two trees using my trusty jungle rope, and a pile of birch twigs ready for a fire.
Setting up camp had its usual laughs — nearly tripping over a root, realising just how heavy my pack was, and battling a slightly lopsided ridgeline. But these small efforts all lead to something bigger: peace.
The Power of Fire and Simplicity
Lighting the fire that night was almost meditative. Dry birch bark, a bed of ash from a previous camp, and my ferro rod (not a flint and steel, by the way!) made it feel almost primal.
It reminded me that simple things done well — like starting a fire or boiling water — bring satisfaction that modern life often misses. When you’re focused on survival basics, anxiety takes a back seat.
My Journey: Weight Loss, Mental Health, and Nature
Two years ago, I was 22 stone, deeply depressed, and unsure of how to change. I tried it all — meditation, yoga, even Parkrun. As I lost weight, something unlocked: my ability to get out into nature.
Wild camping wasn’t part of the original plan. But the hikes, the solitude, and the physical challenge became the missing piece in my mental health puzzle.
Now, nights like these are my therapy sessions.
Solo Camping: Space to Think
I choose to wild camp alone. It gives me time to process thoughts, evaluate where I’m at in life, and decide what matters. There’s no Wi-Fi, no notifications — just the crackle of the fire and the rustle of trees.
And I always come back better for it. More present, more patient, and more at peace.
Affordable, Accessible, and Life-Changing
If you’re reading this thinking wild camping is too complicated or expensive, let me stop you there. It’s not.
Here’s How to Start Wild Camping Simply:
Find cheap gear on Facebook Marketplace or second-hand sites
Start local — your back garden or a familiar local trail
Use what you have — you don’t need top-end kit
Stay safe — learn basic safety, check weather, and don’t camp alone until you’re confident
Leave no trace — always pack out what you bring in
Food, Fire, and Chocolate Pudding
Dinner that night? A humble beef casserole with some rice, followed by chocolate pudding and custard — cooked on the fire. It’s not Michelin-starred, but in that setting, it might as well be.
And yes, cooking pudding over a fire is for winners. End of.
Morning Reflections in the Woods
Mornings are my favourite part of wild camping. Everything looks different. The steam from the coffee, the crackle of twigs, the occasional rustle of a squirrel — it all slows you down and brings you right into the moment.
It’s mindfulness without trying.
Key Takeaways
Wild camping can reduce stress and anxiety by reconnecting you with nature
You don’t need expensive gear to get started
The process of setting up camp builds resilience and mental strength
Mornings in the wild offer space to reflect and reset
Solitude and silence create powerful headspace
Why Do You Wild Camp?
If you’ve ever wild camped — or are thinking about it — I’d love to hear from you. What draws you to the outdoors? What has it done for your mindset?
Leave a comment and let’s get a conversation going. We’re all in this together.
Thanks for reading — and for being part of Beard in the Wild.
Discover how wild camping helped my mental health in ways I never expected. In this honest and personal video, I take you along on a solo wild camp where I share how nature, hiking, tarp setups, and simply being outdoors became a key part of managing stress, anxiety, and depression.
A spontaneous wild camp in a forgotten woodland using the DD Frontline hammock. No tarp, just stars, birdsong, and a full mental reset.