Healthy living takes practice and planning. It’s even more difficult for those that spend time on the road – just ask any long-haul trucker! If you’re considering the RV life, especially full-time RVing, it’s important that you take some time to think about your health. Read our RV living tips to help you stay healthy, even for those extra-long camping trips.
RV Living Tips: Take Driving Breaks
Few things are as unhealthy as sitting down for long periods of time. Sedentary behavior, in general, is very bad – even if you have a good reason for it, like a long-distance road trip. Not only does it encourage you to keep inactive, it also causes a variety of physiological responses in your body that are unhealthy for you.
Whether you’re driving or the passenger, it’s important to plan for short breaks every few hours. A good goal to aim for is a 15 to 20-minute break for every two hours that you’re on the road.
GET YOUR STRETCH ON
Stand up, stretch and try to find something active to do! You don’t need to bring your exercise equipment along to find a way to get the blood flowing for a few minutes:
- Take a brisk walk around the rest area
- Do jumping jacks
- Jog around your RV
All that matters is that you get up on your feet and let your body recover from that long sit. As a bonus, you’ll be stretched and ready to have fun at your campsite when you arrive!
RV Living Tips: Hit Those Trails!
Speaking of walks – don’t spend your whole camping trip lounging around your RV! We know, it’s hard to resist all those comfortable amenities in your RV but get out and enjoy nature!
Camping promotes a healthy, natural lifestyle that gives you an opportunity to connect to your surroundings. Every major park or campsite will have a few good trails that offer breathtaking sights that only require your legs and your attention.
If you properly planned your trip, you can ensure your campground will not only have a great selection of trails, but that it will also have trails which support all types of mobility. Flat, winding trails that don’t require too much agility or stamina are great for anyone. But some parks offer more challenging trails for those that want to push themselves. Either way – you’ll have something to do that’s completely free and great for your health!
Plan, Prep Meals
One of our most recommended RV living tips is to start meal planning. Why? Because of the two major benefits it offers:
Put dinner on autopilot
A classic conundrum on any camping trip: what are we eating tonight? If you’re in charge of food, it’s important to create not just healthy portions, but portions that don’t deplete your whole stock of food before the trip is over. Even if you were planning to make a run to the store during your vacation, it can ruin your plans if you have to go earlier than you thought.
Instead, having planned, portion meals means you can focus on the fun and still have great food at the ready when your stomach starts grumbling.
Healthy meals are easy
Let’s face it, when you’re starving and unsure what your next meal will be, you don’t always make the best food choices. Sure, you have that sliced turkey in your RV fridge, “but there’s a great restaurant down the road,” you’ll tell yourself.
Stop it before it starts! Ready-to-go packaged meals take the effort out of your meals for the trip. Especially if you prepped them before-hand! With healthier choices and less effort required to stick to your plan, you’ll enjoy healthier home-cooked meals. And if you’re not worried about healthy foods, consider the savings you’ll avoid by skipping the restaurants!
Don’t Eat and Drive
Another common mistake that RVers can make is trying to help pass the time on the road by snacking. Mindless snacking is one of the easiest ways to massively overeat – and most of the time, it’s not healthy foods like carrot sticks or fruits.
Before you know it, that bag of chips is completely gone, and your family will be shooting you glares during movie time later that night!
Get Enough Shut Eye
Your body needs sleep. It helps you recover from a long day of fun activities so that you can hop into the next day with as much exuberance as the first!
You may be tempted to push it while you’re on vacation to maximize your time engaging in fun campground activities or sightseeing. Just make sure to get enough sleep while you’re at it!
Equally important is maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. If you stay up too late and try to catch up on those missed hours, you’ll run the risk of confusing your circadian rhythm. Not only is it bad for you in the short-term, it’s guaranteed to make readjusting back to your normal schedule much harder.
Lastly, being well-rested is a necessity for anyone that will be taking turns driving. Despite RVs being surprisingly easy to travel with, they’re still a huge responsibility for you on the road when it comes to safety! Dozing off at the wheel is dangerous even without an RV in tow – for you and everyone else on the road.
Exercise
Another great RV living tip for staying healthy is to stay consistent with your exercise routines too. If you’re a runner, walker, cyclist or love going to the gym, find a way to bring your exercise with you!
Running and walking is easy almost anywhere you go. But your RV makes it easier to bring equipment like your bicycle or some weights to help keep you on your exercise plan no matter where you go.
Just make sure to secure your exercise equipment! You don’t want dumbbells flying across the RV if you need to make a sudden stop.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Dehydration is a common problem on long trips, and its effects can range from mild discomfort to serious health risks. Always having water on hand is key. Carry refillable water bottles and fill them up whenever you have the opportunity. Aiming for a minimum of 8 cups (64 ounces) of water per day is a general guideline, though individual needs can vary based on age and activity level.
Avoid drinks with high sugar content like sodas, energy drinks, or even some types of fruit juice. They might taste refreshing, but they can actually speed up dehydration and add unnecessary calories to your diet. If plain water isn’t appealing to you, consider infusing it with fruits or herbs, or drinking herbal tea or unsweetened flavored waters.
Mental Health
Long trips, while fun and adventurous, can also be stressful. Dealing with unfamiliar places, unexpected challenges, and being away from your usual support systems can be mentally taxing. Downtime isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential for your mental health.
Establish a routine that includes time for relaxation, such as reading a book, listening to calming music, meditating, or watching your favorite movie. Consider using mindfulness techniques or apps that guide you through relaxation exercises. And remember, it’s perfectly fine to have a day where you do nothing but relax.
Prepare for Illness
While we hope to stay healthy during our travels, illnesses and injuries can occur. A well-stocked first aid kit can handle minor health issues. Include basics like bandages, antiseptics, over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, and any prescription medications you or your travel companions may need.
Keep a list of urgent care facilities, hospitals, and pharmacies along your route. Knowing where to go can save valuable time in case of an emergency. If you’re traveling in areas with poor cell service, consider having a physical map or printed list.
Sun Protection
Exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn in the short term, and potentially skin cancer in the long term. Protecting yourself from the sun is particularly important if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply it every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Wear wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective sunglasses, and try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Stay Connected
While RV trips provide a great chance to disconnect from the daily grind, staying in touch with friends and family is important for your mental health. Regular check-ins can provide a sense of connection and familiarity. They can also serve as a safety measure – if something does happen to you on the road, someone will be aware and can check in or alert authorities if needed. With modern technology like video calls, social media, and messaging apps, staying in touch is easier than ever, even when you’re on the move.
Find the Perfect RV for You – Contact RV Wholesale Superstore
Are you ready to buy an RV and travel the country? The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for your budget! Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (866) 596-7767.
Connect with us on Social Media!