If you have gone on week-long or longer backcountry trips (backpacking, canoeing, etc), with only the items on your back, you probably recognized how important self care can be. This is particularly true in a group because if you do not properly care for yourself, you can hold others back or at least be miserable to be around.

For example, imagine you get a hot spot (the start of a blister), but you don’t speak up and continue hiking with the group. The hot spot turns to a blister, and looks and feels horrible by the time you stop for the evening. Had you taken the time to care for yourself early on, you probably could have prevented the blister, but now, you will be miserable walking for the rest of the trip.

And then there is general well-being: taking time alone when needed, keeping up with personal hygiene, sleeping enough, eating properly – these all can effect your overall mood and therefore your own experience and that of the group.

Front country life is no different. It may be harder to realize how a failure in self care affects others, but it does.