Latest news with #campfire
Fox News
10-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Why sitting around a campfire might be the health boost you didn't know you needed
Lighting a campfire and watching as the flames grow and flicker can feel therapeutic — for good reason. Between the light, heat and crackling sound, sitting around a campfire can be a relaxing experience — and experts agree that it can even benefit your mental health. Research published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology has noted "significant reductions" in blood pressure associated with exposure to a crackling fire. Campfires or firepits can also improve social interactions, researchers noted. M. David Rudd, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the Rudd Institute for Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention at the University of Memphis, agreed that the natural setting of campfires is "likely effective" for soothing the mind and engaging with others. People sitting around a fire are "digitally disconnected" and isolated from technology distractions and the demands of daily life, the expert noted. "The context is disarming and socially engaged by its very nature, generating implicit expectations of engagement and interaction," Rudd told Fox News Digital in an interview. "We all have memories of being around a campfire and hearing stories — or at least we've heard stories about what it means to be around a campfire." These expectations foster a "supportive, non-threatening environment where people don't feel judged or pressured to engage," Rudd said. Campfires may encourage those who are "hesitant, anxious or unwilling to engage elsewhere" to connect with others and share personal experiences, he added. Jessica Cail, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in California, pointed out the association of fire with relaxation, comparing fires to a "social hub where people come together for warmth, light, food and protection." Many holiday celebrations tend to involve fire, and some homes have fireplaces geared toward gathering and connecting, Cail noted in a separate interview with Fox News Digital. "Being in nature involves more of a soft focus … giving our brains a chance to rest and restore." "Given these positive associations, it should not be a surprise that these feelings of relaxation and safety can help facilitate social communication and counteract negative feelings, whether they're explicitly shared or not," she added. Fire is also associated with ritual and transition, such as the use of advent candles or the therapeutic practice of writing regretful or traumatic thoughts down on paper, throwing them into a fire and watching them burn, Cail noted. Nature is restorative, helping to counteract modern life's numerous demands and the need to stay hyper-focused on specific tasks, the expert added. "This is fatiguing for our brains," Cail said. For more Health articles, visit "Being in nature involves more of a soft focus (the sight of trees, the smell of grass, the sound of birds), giving our brains a chance to rest and restore." "This break from ruminating on stress may be why so many researchers have found 'doses of nature' to be effective in reducing both depression and anxiety." Campfires are often associated with leisure in nature, which is an important component of mental health, especially for those with mental illnesses, according to Cail. The expert emphasized that changing your environment can also "change your mind." "Unless your trauma took place in nature or around a fire, a change in environment like camping can break you out of that associative headspace, giving you a fresh outlook," she added.
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Why sitting around a campfire might be the therapy session you didn't know you needed
Lighting a campfire and watching as the flames grow and flicker can feel therapeutic — for good reason. Between the light, heat and crackling sound, sitting around a campfire can be a relaxing experience — and experts agree that it can even benefit your mental health. Research published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology has noted "significant reductions" in blood pressure associated with exposure to a crackling fire. Campfires or firepits can also improve social interactions, researchers noted. M. David Rudd, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the Rudd Institute for Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention at the University of Memphis, agreed that the natural setting of campfires is "likely effective" for soothing the mind and engaging with others. People sitting around a fire are "digitally disconnected" and isolated from technology distractions and the demands of daily life, the expert noted. "The context is disarming and socially engaged by its very nature, generating implicit expectations of engagement and interaction," Rudd told Fox News Digital in an interview. "We all have memories of being around a campfire and hearing stories — or at least we've heard stories about what it means to be around a campfire." These expectations foster a "supportive, non-threatening environment where people don't feel judged or pressured to engage," Rudd said. Campfires may encourage those who are "hesitant, anxious or unwilling to engage elsewhere" to connect with others and share personal experiences, he added. Jessica Cail, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in California, pointed out the association of fire with relaxation, comparing fires to a "social hub where people come together for warmth, light, food and protection." Many holiday celebrations tend to involve fire, and some homes have fireplaces geared toward gathering and connecting, Cail noted in a separate interview with Fox News Digital. "Being in nature involves more of a soft focus … giving our brains a chance to rest and restore." "Given these positive associations, it should not be a surprise that these feelings of relaxation and safety can help facilitate social communication and counteract negative feelings, whether they're explicitly shared or not," she added. Fire is also associated with ritual and transition, such as the use of advent candles or the therapeutic practice of writing regretful or traumatic thoughts down on paper, throwing them into a fire and watching them burn, Cail noted. Nature is restorative, helping to counteract modern life's numerous demands and the need to stay hyper-focused on specific tasks, the expert added. "This is fatiguing for our brains," Cail said. For more Health articles, visit "Being in nature involves more of a soft focus (the sight of trees, the smell of grass, the sound of birds), giving our brains a chance to rest and restore." "This break from ruminating on stress may be why so many researchers have found 'doses of nature' to be effective in reducing both depression and anxiety." Campfires are often associated with leisure in nature, which is an important component of mental health, especially for those with mental illnesses, according to Cail. The expert emphasized that changing your environment can also "change your mind." "Unless your trauma took place in nature or around a fire, a change in environment like camping can break you out of that associative headspace, giving you a fresh outlook," she added.
CBS News
05-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Michigan DNR issues warning about fires and dry conditions over holiday weekend
The holiday weekend continues with plenty of fun, family friendly activities like camping. But before you head "up north" to celebrate, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a warning for you: Be mindful of starting fires because some parts of the state are experiencing drought-like conditions. In Michigan, holiday weekends are for spending time out on the water or by a campfire roasting food. "We have had instances where you will find them. They have caused fires over the years," Jeff Corser, Michigan DNR fire management specialist, said. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, some parts of the state are experiencing abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. "There's just areas inside Michigan that did not get the snowpack, did not get the rainfall over the spring, so they're just a little bit drier, a little bit faster than where they're supposed to be," Corser said. Those dry conditions mean a higher risk of fire danger. "Just make sure when you're doing your campfires, they are in proper rings. Just open burning is just not a good idea right now," Corser said. The DNR is reminding people how to put out those campfires when you're done. "Make sure it's wet, and it's how we recommend, just drowning them. Can't get your hand there if you can't get close to it, you know; it's not out. So, water and a shovel, and stir them up good," Corser said. Fireworks are another hazard. "We recommend, you know, wetting down the area that you are lighting these fireworks from, the ones that are kind of a horizontal launching like bottle rockets and stuff," Corser said. Experts say light fireworks over concrete, gravel, or asphalt instead of grass. "They will ignite fires, especially the drier grasses, and even the pine needles on the forest floor are fairly dry right now," Corser said. If a wildfire does catch, the aftermath can be devastating. "Today is supposed to be a fairly windy, dusty day, so in the right fuels, the fine fuels, those can get up and go really quick," Corser said. That's why you want to put safety first while celebrating the holiday this weekend.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pathetic rise of the male 'simp': These desperate submissives will do anything for female attention... but the new target of their slobbering is TRULY sick
Sitting round a campfire with friends one night when I was much younger (and less wise) than now, I watched the boy I liked whip out his guitar, point at me and announce, 'This one's for you.' Then, fixing me with an intense stare, he gave a husky growl and began to serenade me with James Blunt 's simpering ballad, You're Beautiful. I couldn't help but think of my former admirer last week when I saw Nato chief Mark Rutte address Donald Trump as 'Daddy' in a shudder-worthy discussion about the conflict between and at a summit in The Hague.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Partygoers given fire warning after Charmouth Forest rave
Firefighters have repeated advice against lighting campfires and barbecues after putting out a fire in a forest following an unlicensed 150 and 200 people attended the unauthorised party in Charmouth Forest, Dorset, on Saturday night, according to police, who were called by local music was subsequently turned off but, shortly after noon on Sunday, emergency services received multiple calls about a fire in the area.A small off-road appliance was deployed to locate the incident and the crew discovered partygoers sleeping and sitting around a camp fire. Dorset Police said officers were alerted to the party near Wootton Fitzpaine just after reported about 50 vehicles and said their sleep was being disturbed by the music.A force spokesperson said: "Officers attended and liaised with those present, ensuring the music was turned off and those in attendance have now dispersed."We responded swiftly to this incident to ensure it was promptly brought to a safe conclusion and no further disruption was caused."Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said Sunday's camp fire was extinguished "due to concerns about the dry conditions"."As it was not a good idea to have a bonfire in the woods, we extinguished it and offered advice," a spokesperson the start of 2025, the service has attended more than 400 wildfires across the two counties - many of them a result of "human intervention" - and large areas of Dorset's protected heathland have been destroyed. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
