A good night's sleep is often just what the doctor ordered. But have you ever considered that a good night’s sleep under the stars may be even more beneficial? Especially for those of us whose very nature is entwined with the trees and whose soul floats on the spring breeze.

For those of us who adore the great outdoors, what could be more beneficial than fresh air, the sounds of nature and a comfy place to sleep?

Well, it turns out there are actually even more benefits to sleeping outdoors than even those of us at one with nature can imagine! Read on, roll out that hammock and get ready for the best night’s sleep of your life…

Benefit #1: Natural Light Exposure

There have been many studies as to the importance of getting enough natural light and we all know the benefits of vitamin D in our diets, keeping our bones and skin healthy. However, did you know that according to this study by the University of Colorado, waking up to natural light can help your body clock to reset itself to natural circadian rhythms. This helps us to wake up alert and ready to face the day. So before you invest in a natural light alarm clock, why not see if a night spent under the stars could help?

University of Colorado article: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(13)00764-1

Benefit #2: Stress Busting

As lovers of the great outdoors, we know that getting out into the woods can be a great stress busting exercise. So it should come as no surprise to us that sleeping under the stars, surrounded by trees, flowers and all nature’s other gifts is an excellent boost to mental health and can help ease post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The calming sounds of nature and the serenity of the forest provide a relaxing way to drift off to sleep.

Benefit #3: Melatonin Boost

Burying our heads in our electronic devices; the allure of ‘just another episode of that addictive boxset’ and trying to squeeze more and more into our days isn’t conducive to falling asleep as soon as our head hits the pillow.

The beauty of sleeping outdoors, therefore, is the boost in the production of melatonin, which is otherwise supressed by indoor, fluorescent light and the blue light emitted by electronic devices. Melatonin helps us to regulate sleep via body temperature, blood pressure and glucose levels, so give yourself that little boost with a night under the stars.

Benefit #4: Immunity Support

Did you know a Japanese study has shown that spending two hours a day in the forest can help to reduce blood pressure, lower pulse rates and help boost white blood cells and anti-cancer proteins? If those aren’t great benefits to sleeping outdoors, then we don’t know what is!

The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan.: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19568835

Benefit #5: Fresh Air is Good for you!

There’s a reason that when we’re feeling under the weather or a little stressed, someone will suggest that ‘fresh air will do you good’. The greater the quality the air we breathe in, the better it works for our bodies. Similarly, too much time spent in stuffy, CO2-rife rooms can slow our metabolism and make us feel lethargic, so spending a night under the stars can really help to fill our lungs with the good stuff that we need to feel well and be productive.

Benefit #6: Boosts Bonding!

Of course, the other excellent aspect of spending a night under the stars is that it can be done with friends and family and you’ll get to spend some of that often elusive quality time together!

We love a canvas swag for impromptu nights under canvas together; they’re great for the romantics out there who want to get away from it all, or those spontaneous families that defy having everything planned out. What’s more, they’re hardwearing and ‘chuck in the back of the car’-able, which means that if you do decide to get away from everyday life and spend a night under the stars on a whim, it’s easy to do so, whatever the weather.

Why not plan to spend a few nights under canvas or in a hammock soon? It could be the biggest health benefit you could give yourself!