I remember with crystal clarity only a few moments in my life - almost all were outdoors - waking up in a hammock just as dawn cracked, floating in Windermere as dusk set in, amazing memories.<p>My children's births I also remember but the amazement and awe is overlaid with stress and worry - so yes, get outside if you want your heart to relax.
What I really appreciate about spending time in the wild – hiking for me – is how it allows me to step back from my everyday life. Go to some place, eat, sleep, that's not much but it fills your whole day and it's a very satisfying experience.<p>I kinda have this feeling that I always have to fight for happiness in the city whereas it comes naturally in the wild.
Just watched this the other day on Netflix. <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/happypeople/" rel="nofollow">http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/happypeople/</a><p>Takes you deep into Siberia to the winter campsites of trappers. Harsh life but very beautiful.
I agree, but I think that there are different stressors in our lives. Work stress is hard to deal with, and I deal with it by sailing. However, there are stressors when sailing: the safety of the vessel, the safety of my crew, etc.
I'm personally not into camping at all, but I think the point is to take some time to do something you love. I personally love to ski, but even a day alone playing video games can do the trick, it's more about getting away from work as completely as possible.
There's been a lot of research in the past decade on the benefits of greenery: <a href="http://www.gwern.net/The%20Melancholy%20of%20Subculture%20Society#fn28" rel="nofollow">http://www.gwern.net/The%20Melancholy%20of%20Subculture%20So...</a>