We are living in a busy world.

It’s not something new. Most of us are working 40+ hours per week, mostly sitting by the computer and are dealing with stressful situations on a daily basis. It’s how it is.

That’s why most of us also have our own ‘escapes’  from the reality in a calmer world of our own. For me that’s traveling. By packing your suitcase all of your problems are staying at home and you are going to recharge your batteries on your weekend brake.

But, what I was thinking about lately, was, is it traveling to a busy new town for a weekend, after spending the whole week in a busy town, really a good rest? Or should my holidays involve something completely different?

My thoughts have been confirmed when I read the latest National Geographic magazine which main theme was ‘Why we need wild?’ The article was based on researches which shows that humans needs nature. It says that:

“When we slow down, stop the busywork, and take in beautiful natural surroundings, not only do we feel restored, but our mental performance improves too“

Some of the researches from the article also showed that people performed 50 percent better on creative problem solving tasks after spending three days in wilderness. The research from University of Exeter found that people living near green space have less mental distress. The other Dutch research shows lower incidence of 15 diseases, including depression, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes, asthma etc. in people who lived within a half mile of green space.

That’s why I decided to focus my traveling in this year more on the nature. And since I was recently reading about great initiative of taking #12tripschallenge (I find it at one of my favorite travel blogs The Travel Hack, but the idea is originaly from the other blog, also great Need Another Holiday). I decide to put it as my personal traveling challenge. That means I will attempt to go on a single trip each month (it can be only a one day trip as well as a longer holiday), but also means all of them will be somewhere in the nature. Well, camping and hiking here I come…

So, at the moment I’m busy with making a list of my #12naturetripschallenge. And to start the year in a new spirit, I spend it’s first day in a beautiful Amsterdamse Bos.

I’m open to the suggestions of a great weekend escapes to the nature, so feel free to share your thoughts in a comments bellow.