Day 18 & 19: Eat Outdoors & Do Something Outside – Nature’s Therapy (and Bacon)

I missed checking in yesterday—not because I forgot, but because Mother Nature decided to be a drama queen. Alberta’s classic May long weekend weather had a temper tantrum brewing, and we had to pack up camp and head home earlier than planned. But not before I ticked off two more days of the mental health challenge: eating outdoors and doing something outside.

Let’s start with the food, because bacon deserves top billing.

One of our unwritten camping rules is that Wil takes over cooking duties. I don’t question it—I just show up when I smell the hashbrowns. On this particular morning, he made eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast on his beloved Blackstone griddle. I sat outside, coffee in hand, soaking up the crisp morning air and the quiet hum of forest life around us. It was sunny, peaceful, and honestly, I was… enjoying breakfast. Weird, right?

I’m not usually a breakfast person. If I do eat something in the morning, it’s a smoothie packed with nutrients, protein, and whatever else I can blend into oblivion so I don’t have to chew. Chewing food in the morning tends to make me sleepy, grumpy, and irrationally hungry by 10 a.m. But that day, sitting in front of the forest with birds chattering and bacon on my plate, I found myself appreciating the whole experience. Even Lucky got in on it—he’s basically camping royalty and expects his share of bacon. Which, of course, he got.

While we ate, our frequent visitor—the Whiskey Jack—popped in again. This curious little grey bird had made several appearances during our stay, and on this morning, it perched boldly at the edge of the cooking table, picking crumbs out of the griddle’s grease trap. Naturally, the second I pulled out my phone to snap a photo, it vanished. Classic.

After breakfast, we went for a walk. Lucky led the way, nose to the ground, exploring the empty campsites like he was on a mission. Compared to the day before, the campground had filled up—dogs everywhere. One site had a particularly enthusiastic pup who couldn’t stop barking at Lucky. His human mom tried everything to settle him down with zero luck. On the way back, we passed the same site and heard the dog’s dad say a single word—and the barking stopped. I related deeply. Lucky listens to Wil like he’s some kind of dog whisperer. Me? I get the side-eye and a low-volume protest whine that sounds suspiciously like, “I respectfully disagree.”

Back at our trailer, we saw the dark clouds rolling in and decided it was time to beat the rain and snow forecast. While I was packing up inside, I had a moment to reflect. Eating outside, moving outside—simple things, but they made a noticeable difference in my mood and mindset.

I always feel better when I’m in nature. There's a calm that settles in, even when there’s noise. Nature reminds me to slow down, breathe deeper, and just be.

Why This Works (Backed by Science, Not Just Bacon)

Spending time outside isn’t just a nice idea—it’s backed by real science. Studies have shown that:

• Time in nature reduces stress. Just 20 minutes outside can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone).

• Natural environments improve mood and focus. People who spend time in green spaces report less anxiety and better concentration.

• Being outdoors boosts your immune system. Fresh air, sunlight, and exposure to natural microbes all play a part in keeping your body balanced.

• Even short nature breaks can reduce symptoms of depression. One study found that walking in nature lowered rumination (those endless negative thought loops).

The best part? You don’t need to summit a mountain or hike 10km to get the benefits.

Sitting outside, walking the campground, or even watching a curious Whiskey Jack swipe some crumbs—it all counts.

I can’t wait for the weather to settle down so I can head back out, camera in hand, and get grounded all over again. There’s just something about trees, fresh air, and little woodland creatures that makes the world feel a little less overwhelming.