We already know that doing the Camino is not just good, it’s amazing. Good for the body and, above all, for the mind. This is confirmed by a recent study conducted under the name of Proyecto Ultreya, and whose scientific results confirm what we already knew, that the Camino de Santiago is an extraordinarily positive experience for psychological well-being. Let’s take a closer look at what this psychological study, conducted by experts, tells us about the impact of the Camino de Santiago on our mental health.
The benefits of hiking in your daily life improve your physical and mental health
The objectives, the method, and the sample to be studied
The objectives of this study, as shown on the website of the Proyecto Ultreya, are two: to evaluate the changes associated with the pilgrimage on the Jacobean routes and stages in various measures of mental health and psychological well-being, on the one hand, and on the other hand, to compare the short-term effects of the pilgrimage with taking a “standard” vacation (without pilgrimage).
The method used is a form with different questions, starting, of course, with personal data such as age, marital status, education level, country, etc., although it is an anonymous form. This is a longitudinal observational study with 3 evaluations over time: pre-Camino, post-Camino, and follow-up after three months. The study began in July 2017 and ended in January 2020. Of course, to carry out the study, it required the selfless participation of hundreds of pilgrims with different profiles.
Many pilgrims decide to do the Camino as a mental cure
Thus, the study, led by the Doctor in Health Psychology Albert Feliu Soler, from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, had a sample of 444 pilgrims for the general study, as well as 100 non-pilgrim tourists for a comparative study of the psychological benefits of regular vacations and pilgrim vacations.
The results are clear: the Camino heals
Yes, on the main website you can see the results, as well as the sample and the majority profile of the surveyed pilgrims, of whom 48% completed the Camino de Santiago Francés. The general results focus on three variables: emotional distress, stress, and life satisfaction. The study reveals that the pilgrimage has a very positive psychological impact, as significant improvements were observed in all the variables studied, both after finishing the Camino and three months later.
Walking for hours has more benefits than you can imagine
Additionally, participants in the study who did the Camino de Santiago, compared to those who enjoyed a “standard” vacation, showed undoubtedly superior improvements in most of the evaluated variables.
In short, you should do the Camino!
That’s right, dear reader, not only do we say it, but science says it: the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago generates short- and medium-term benefits in many areas of mental health and psychological well-being, and even more than if you go on a beach vacation or do something other than the Jacobean routes. Moreover, and something we know for sure, many of the pilgrims who complete the Camino de Santiago comment upon returning home that it has been a “therapeutic” experience, and these results provide scientific evidence for this impression.
As we have already done, you can participate in the study—it will be a good excuse to do the Camino de Santiago soon. We guarantee it, both us and science: the Camino de Santiago is not only great for your psychological well-being, it can even change your life, and we know many pilgrims who can confirm this. Go ahead and experience it, along with all the positive psychological impact you will enjoy in your life, good for you and for everyone around you.
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