4 minute read
The Benefits of Spending Your Holidays in the Outdoors
BY BEN OWENS
When most people think about celebrating holidays like Thanksgiving, they think of your “Hallmark family” dinners in a home with the entire family. Images of a roasted turkey or duck being pulled out of the oven in the kitchen as the family runs around setting the table, getting seated, and preparing for the meal. Often a blessing or traditional thanks may be offered before the main dish is served, and the meal will go on leisurely until everyone gradually makes their way from the table to a family room with a movie, game, or other activity in which everyone can participate. For others, a gathering of friends with a potluck selection of infused dishes and a night on the town before Black Friday shopping may be the most enjoyable way to spend the holidays. For the last 21 years, I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving in a similar manner, with one distinctive difference: I’ve celebrated the holiday while camping with my family. We serve all of your traditional sides, roast a turkey, sit by the fire over drinks and desserts, and even have had the chance to catch a few of the Bowl games depending on the year and what services the campgrounds offered. By all counts, it is your traditional family Thanksgiving dinner, except it is set in the woods of Michigan, the mountains of North Carolina, or the front range of Colorado. Every year, as we prepare for the holidays and time spent with family near and far, the topic of holiday traditions arises, and I proudly share this story. It seems so simple to me, yet so foreign to so many people, and each time I tell the story, I’m reminded of the importance of making memories with those closest to you. Whether it is a family dinner or a gathering of close friends and peers, traditions like these allow us to enjoy unique, memorable moments that we don’t always have time to appreciate in our daily lives. In 1998, my family decided to upgrade from the old reliable family tent to a camper. Now, it wasn’t fancy and didn’t have many bells and whistles compared to similar RV’s today, but it was a big upgrade, and we felt confident enough to take years of your standard holiday tradition and know-how and throw them out the window, deciding instead to attempt the entire event from a camper in the middle of a campground in the beginning of winter in Michigan. And we had a blast. We collected firewood, hiked through the trails, sang trail songs to notify hunters that we were in the area, and explored much of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park over our holidays in Michigan. Over the years, we moved from Michigan to North Carolina, North Carolina to Arizona, and then I headed off to school in Missouri before moving to Chicago, eventually settling in Colorado. In spite of all the moves and miles, no matter what state my sister, my parents, or I found ourselves in, we always had Thanksgiving to look forward to as our time together. And that tradition continues to this day, as we plan our 22nd year camping for the Thanksgiving holidays.
Memorable holiday traditions positively impact our lives.
Aside from the feel-good memories associated with these traditions and time spent with one another, psychologists and researchers alike are beginning to find evidence that the traditions may prove more important to us than we think. According to Dr. Michele L. Brennan, Psy. D, “Traditions nurture our spirit and are an important part of family bonding. They can be anything fun you and your family already enjoy doing, or you can have fun starting your own. Don’t get caught up in instituting the perfect family tradition, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about the experience you share with your family.” 1 Dr. Brennan discusses the role traditions play in nurturing the past and planning for the future as well as the importance of consistency in our lives as we gather annually or semi-regularly for holidays, reconnect, and strengthen bonds and relationships that weaken during times apart. Recent research has shown that fond memories can provide positive benefits like helping us work through loneliness, increasing our generosity towards others, and mitigating anxiety. 2
TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY OUTDOORS
Whether you’re spending the day cooking by the fire or simply going for a brisk walk to kick your metabolism into gear, incorporating the outdoors into your holiday traditions can make for a memorable spin that will give family and friends fond memories for years to come. Here’s a few pieces of advice to help you with the planning process:
Make it an adventure that takes you out of your daily routine (but don’t step out of everyone’s comfort zone). For us, camping was the adventure. For you, it may be a cabin in a small mountain town or a suite at the ski resort. Have a plan for your adventure. If you’re going camping, know how you’ll spend your days. Maybe you’ll go hiking while the turkey is roasting or go for a walk around the neighborhood in between football games to help the snacks and refreshments digest. Unless you’re accustomed to a more relaxed schedule, having activities can help keep everyone engaged during your holiday outing. Try something new. Somehow, my family finds new activities each year for our holidays. The winners end up as part of the annual traditions, and there’s always a few laughs from the ones that don’t pan out as planned. On your hike, try singing holiday jingles or hit Pinterest for ideas on fun outdoor games and group activities.
Don’t forget the decorations! Every year, my mom and dad make sure the campsite has Thanksgiving decorations, trinkets, and all of the same items that many put out in their homes for the holidays. This helps add to the ambiance and contribute to the holiday spirit of the event. Whether it’s themed paper plates for the mid-day picnic or streamers and decorations that adorn the campsite, it’s easy to add a bit of festive cheer to the outdoors. Infuse your outing! If everyone is of legal age, try infusing your adventure by consuming before, during, or after your outing. There’s plenty of recipes for adding cannabis to your culinary creations this holiday season as well as crafty ways to get creative with smokable options that the whole group can enjoy. Make sure to heed the tips above for a positive, memorable experience that is likely to also be beneficial to your health, and stay tuned to this column each issue for more news, tips, and research surrounding the benefits of using cannabis on your adventures in the great outdoors.
