Unyoked came into this world nearly 5 years ago (!) with the vision of helping people leave the 9 to 5 behind and get out into nature. Though our cabins look great, we never set out to make this a holiday, but rather a service for people needing an infusion of the wilderness to shake them out of the stupor of our everyday monotonous existence.

Since then, thousands of people have become part of our Unyoked tribe, but we want to do more and go deeper. While there have been many studies on the positive mental and physical benefits associated with time spent in nature, we thought it was high time we conducted our own.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which sometimes has its benefits) you’ve probably heard of The Daily Aus. They’re a news platform designed especially for young people, designed to take the stress out of understanding the headlines, so you can be informed without having to decipher angry editorials written mainly for your grandparents.

There’s a few reasons we’re joining forces with TDA for our first research study, but mostly it’s because they know what it’s like to have to cut through the hectic-ness of everyday life in search for something more simple.

Together with The Daily Aus, we’re looking for three people to take part in our pilot study. You can apply right now by following them (and us) on Instagram and tagging a friend who you think needs to take some time out from the 24/7 news cycle to get a nature infusion. Applications close 27 July, 2021.

Successful applicants will receive

• 3x two night stays at Unyoked cabins across Australia over a 6 month period, totally free.

• The chance to be a key part of ongoing research into how nature positively impacts our mental health

• Complimentary, coveted Daily Aus hoodie to keep you warm in the winter months

We know that time spent in nature, even if only for a few hours, can decrease cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone in your body. We want to start taking that research further, starting with a wellbeing check after you’ve stayed with us. You can take part just by filling it in, with more involved stuff to come.

Over time, we’ll amalgamate this information and start doing some real cool scientific tests to prove to the world just how useful it is to get lost among thousands of trees on the regular. Keep your eyes peeled, we’d love you to help us on our journey.

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of the wilderness, here’s some recent studies you can impress your mates with knowledge of next time you’re at the pub.

1. Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health

2. Getting back to nature: how forest bathing can make us feel better

3. Nature on prescription: wetlands project aims to boost mental health

We pay our respect to the elders past and present, the traditional owners of the land on which our cabins reside. Sovereignty was never ceded.