Retreat to Nature for a Quick Mental Kick

Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones in Nature

-- By Sean McCosh, SparkPeople Expert

Cool evenings, hillsides bursting with color, re-discovering your favorite pair of worn jeans…it just doesn't get much better than fall. One of the best things about this time of year is that it's a perfect opportunity to get outside and spend some quality time in nature. If you get the time, or can make the time, plan a long weekend camping trip and get outside before the falling leaves turn to falling snow.

Camping and hiking are ideal this time of year because heat and humidity are gone and many areas have had a first frost to eliminate the gnats and mosquitoes. If you're up for a little adventure try finding a large state or national park where you can hike, spend a couple of days away from civilization and have some quiet time of reflection. (To find a camping area near you, check out the National Park Service or Outdoor Places websites.)

Whether you're a "car camper," a backcountry camper, or not normally a camper at all, a few days in the woods can do wonders for your stress levels, your blood pressure and overall frame of mind. And it's a fast and effective way to get re-charged and re-focused for work, or to prepare you for the holiday mayhem that's just around the corner.