Camping Out with Family & Pets Can Improve Your Mental Health

Discover how spending time outdoors and using dog camping beds for backyard campouts can improve your physical and mental wellness. 

Dog Camping Bed

Going camping when you’re a little kid is a pretty big staple. It allows you to really get a feel for nature and parts of the outdoors you most likely haven’t experienced yet. But the best is going with family, whether it’s mom and dad, siblings, cousins, or the whole gang at once. Having your dog tag along is one of the best parts because they encourage you to explore areas you didn’t think of venturing and get you on more hikes you were originally planning for. You’re also able to set up dog camping beds right next to the picnic tables and campfire so they can be just as much a part of the group as everyone else. 

Before COVID-19 was even found, we were living in a very busy, and relatively self-consumed world where most people didn’t stop to hold a door for the person behind them or even bother giving a close relative a call to check-in. But once COVID-19 came to light, everything changed. Everyone was forced to quarantine and remain in their own imaginary bubble for months. Though these times were extremely trying, they were also very enlightening… 

COVID-19 Alters Americans Time Spent Outdoors For The Better

We’re all familiar with the restrictions COVID-19 has put on the world in the last two years, however, many will vouch that they were able to get more in tune with themselves and their families due to these close-quartered circumstances. Families were forced to get creative with their time and make simple moments the best part of their days. A huge contributor to that was spending more and more time in their own backyards since travel and bigger outdoor gatherings were no longer an option. 

Being in the confines of your own home for extended periods of time can be draining on anyone’s physical and mental health, but many families chose to make the most of this by participating in activities they found therapeutic. Various surveys were conducted and discovered that people are spending approximately 14 hours a week outside, which is three hours more than the average amount of hours spent outside before COVID-19 hit. In that time, bonding became easier and new hobbies were formed, creating a newfound appreciation for what the outdoors can offer. Americans are now tapping into interests they never knew they had, whether that’s decorating home exterior spaces or building gardens full of their favorite flowers, plants, or food.

Family Camping

Though COVID-19 still leaves us with many uncertainties, Americans continue to find the positive and no longer take many aspects of their everyday lives for granted. Utilizing outdoor space to meet the needs of your own family and pets can truly work wonders on quality family time you never knew you were missing out on. 

Big Surge in Bringing Pets Home

In addition to families finding the outdoors beneficial for their physical and mental wellness, they found pets to be just as helpful. ASPCA reported that there was an overwhelming surge of families interested in getting a pet or adding to their pet family in their homes due to the pandemic. In fact, one in five households purchased a dog or cat during this time because of the numerous benefits that come with having a pet in your home. 

New coronavirus dog

It’s not uncommon for families to feel like they are bringing another family member into their home when they bring home an animal because just like humans, pets offer unwavering amounts of companionship, love, and support. Whether you’re a family with children or not, there are endless amounts of fun activities you can create to play or participate in with the ones you are able to surround yourself with. 

Best Pet Activity Ideas: 

If you’re in need of some good ideas, we got you covered. Consider: 

  • Hiking
  • Frisbee 
  • Training 
    • Tricks – who doesn’t love a dog who can do a few tricks? Make dog training fun by starting with the basics (sit, stay, etc) and then branch off into tricks a little more advanced (paw, rollover, etc) and then test the limits on how much your dog wants to learn. There are plenty of tricks the average dog would never learn, so figure out how to make your dog stand out! 
    • Obedience – who doesn’t love a dog that knows how to ask to go to the bathroom without going inside first? Obedience training is a great way to bond with your dog and teach them how to be well-behaved around you, other people, and even other animals. 
    • Nose – the canine nose is not like anything else. A dog’s smelling capabilities are miles ahead of what any human can do. Explore what your dog’s nose capabilities are and see if they’re worth possibly going to compete for. 
  • Hide and Seek 
  • DIY Backyard Dog Show 
  • Costume Photoshoot 
  • Go for ice cream (and get a doggie cone) 
  • Camp out in the backyard 

Benefits of Owning A Pet

You’d be surprised by how much trying out these activities with your pet can actually be advantageous for you. Whether it’s work, familial responsibilities, or any other external stressor, pets have proven to be extremely powerful in improving your overall health and mood

As any pet owner knows, adding an animal to your family completely alters your lifestyle because of the commitment you make to take care of that animal. However, non-pet owners may not know how beneficial these animals are to living a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown numerous physical and mental improvements to a person’s health if they own a pet, such as decreased anxiety or depression, higher levels of serotonin and dopamine, lower blood pressure, and so much more. 

In addition to that, pets motivate people to exercise on a regular basis. Even if it’s just going for a walk around the neighborhood, people need to walk their dogs multiple times a day, and in turn, those people are getting the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and get their steps in. Stress is also a very common physical tension people experience, but owning a pet significantly reduces the level of stress people feel on a daily basis. Dogs provide sensory stress relief through touch and movement, so when people frequently pet their dogs, they’re actually calming their bodies at a faster rate and reducing their blood pressure. Dogs are often comforted by their beds (apart from their owners) since most are now designed with the best memory foam or orthopedic padding that helps with joint pain and anxiety.  

So when you feel a bit overwhelmed or just need inspiration for some fun activities to do with the whole family, think of ideas that combine the relaxing outdoors and your loving furry friends. One of our favorite family adventures to take is actually visiting our own backyard. 

Have you ever camped out with your family and pets? 

Make the Most of Your Backyard Hangouts 

Over the last two years, bonding with those around you has been pivotal to people’s family dynamic. We’ve found that simple ideas can flourish into lifelong memories if you choose to make your own fun. One of the easiest and most fun activities you can do with your family is planning a whole camping trip in your own backyard. Set up lights above your patio, go to the store and get all the s’more necessities, set up tents, fetch some old sleeping bags, and grab some games to play throughout the night. 

Smore maker

Camping with your family and pets gives everyone the chance to have uninterrupted, much-needed quality time to just relax and reconnect. Pick a night with clear skies and set up those sleeping bags so you can all lay under the stars. But, don’t forget, your pets should be included too! There are dog camping beds you can get for your family’s favorite companion so they can experience everything with you and be comfortable while doing it. 

Dog Camping Beds

Dog camping beds are the new outdoor necessity for your family outdoor gatherings. In addition to getting your pet more involved with your family activities, dog camping beds come with numerous benefits and features any animal would love. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing a dog camping bed. Some of these things include: 

  • Size of the dog camping bed in relation to your dog’s height and weight 
  • Elevation of the dog bed
  • Location of your home or campsite 
  • Installation process  
  • Portability 
  • Whether the dog camping bed is lightweight and compact for travel 
  • Waterproof material 

If your family has a large dog or even multiple medium to smaller-sized dogs, then getting an extra-large elevated dog camping bed is your best option. Waterproof awnings always come in handy when unexpected showers hit, so consider a dog camping bed with a canopy so you can protect against that rain. Putting these together doesn’t have to be a daunting task either, most of these dog camping beds don’t require tools or screws so, with all of that in mind, take a look at our top picks for dog camping beds: 

Extra Large Elevated Dog Camping Bed with Canopy

This dog camping bed has the best features for just about any backyard campout or camping trip your family is planning. It comes with a detachable canopy that is made out of waterproof material. The canopy acts as the perfect shade so your dog doesn’t get overheated in the sun and is able to stay cool much longer. If you no longer want the canopy on, it is super easy to remove, and now you can use the camping bed as a dog cot for the inside of your home. This particular dog camping bed doesn’t require any tools, so you’re able to put it together and get it standing within a few minutes! 

Chew Proof Dog Camping Bed

The rustless aluminum frame on this dog camping bed makes it super durable for outdoor conditions and sturdy for any dog! It elevates your pet almost a foot off of the ground to ensure easy breathability and airflow. Beds that are elevated like this one offer more comfortability for your dog as well as numerous health benefits. Its material is super easy to clean, so when you need to get hair, dirt, or grime off of the bed, it will only take a few seconds with a hose. 

Dog Camping Bed with Removable Bolsters

If you’re looking for something with ultimate comfort and security, then this dog camping bed is the one you’ve been waiting for. This bed comes with detachable plush bolsters for the sides of the frame and is made of waterproof, heavy-denier fabric. The fabric still allows for steady breathability, giving the dog a cooling sensation during hot summer days. If you’re more of a big-dog person, don’t worry. This dog camping bed can hold over 200 pounds of weight at a time! 

Enjoy the Outdoors with a New Dog Camping Bed with Family

Make the most of your time with your family and pets. The last two years were great reminders to reconnect and grow with the loved ones around you. Making your own fun while outdoors with your family and pets, even if it is in your own backyard, can truly improve your physical and mental wellness. Get creative with your backyard camp out and get your dog camping bed today to try these activities out for yourself!

Sources:

https://www.marthastewart.com/8110043/americans-spending-more-time-backyards-outdoors-covid-19

https://www.aspca.org/about-us/press-releases/new-aspca-survey-shows-overwhelming-majority-dogs-and-cats-acquired-during

https://aspca.app.box.com/s/v4t7yrwalwk39mf71a857ivqoxnv2x3d

The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets

https://www.articleinsider.com/dog-beds

https://www.petassure.com/new-newsletters/camping-with-your-dog-can-be-fun/

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