So, I recognize with only having spent a couple of months on the road, my self care has already slightly slipped! So I decided to fine tune my self care and share with you the tips that I recommend in hopes that it may just help you in you're journey.
Number one: Diet
If you're planning on spending time away from humanity as I do when free camping, try to meal plan and stock up on fresh foods to give you the nutrients needed to sustain you throughout these times. When heading to rural areas, supplies may be limited so it may be helpful to stock up on other products like dried fruits and powders to use when the fresh stuff runs out.
I now recognize it can be easy to get into a routine of eating camp style foods. Ensuring you have all your dietary needs, back up supplies plentiful and a good meal plan will support your overall health and well-being in more ways than just one.
Number two: Physical Exercise
When I think camp, I think active and outdoors but this is not always the case. It can actually be quite difficult to get your daily dose of exercise as well as the combination of exercise needed for overall fitness. I walk daily and hike regularly however cardio is only one aspect to exercise. Adding some outdoor yoga, strength work outs (firewood collection is a great one) and core exercises will help build a balanced body. If you can hit up a gym once in a blue moon even better!
To further add there can be days of constant rain and even though a motorhome is large in comparison to a van, tent or car it is still very difficult to get physical exercise done in these confined spaces.
I know for myself, the older I get, the more I need to stretch out those kinks so utilizing any small nooks and cranny’s to get you're daily dose of exercise will help save your body from aches, pains and stiffness.
Number three : Mental Health
Many know the importance of eating well and exercise however what about your mental health? There are many mishaps and stresses that can occur living this lifestyle and even though we can reduce some of these stresses, we can’t always remove them completely. Ensuring we take care of our mental health will allow for us to deal with stressful situations so much better. I know that during my first couple of months and even now, still having many challenges to overcome I can handle these so much better without the bigger reactions of anger and frustrations. Don’t get me wrong I still react but not in a way I would previously when not working on my mental health.
Meditation is a great way to not only calm the mind but also the emotions, body and gain a deeper spiritual connection and it is becoming much more widely practiced in the western world. This is an area in which I am passionate about and will be doing more vlogs on meditation in the near future. If you have ever wanted to learn how to meditate, the self-care playlist on this channel will be you're go to space.
Number four: Organization
As already mentioned there can be mishaps on the road as with everyday life. A little structure can go a long way and by structure, I mean being prepared, knowing what your needs are and how to have your needs met.
Do you have everything in order, are you doing vehicle checks and know what needs to be repaired, fixed etc? Do you know where you will be staying next and is it safe? What about the needs of your overall health and wellbeing? Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. If you’re a people person, make sure you factor in time to connect with others and if you're one who likes to energize by being alone, make sure you have alone time scheduled in.
Some of us work well with structure and others just like to flow, I say whatever works for you then great! If you’re not a list type of person just being consciously aware of what your needs are and how to have them met will work fine!
I have decided to fine tune my own structure to include more meditation and more daily yoga/stretch so I thank you for keeping me on task and motivated for my own self-care.
Number five: Do you!
Whether you are busy working on the road or just enjoying the ride ensure you get some time to do the things you’re passionate about. What is it that draws you to this lifestyle? For me it’s the freedom away from the hustle that comes with everyday life and the 9-5 job working for someone else. It’s the love I feel when connecting to Country. Its having seclusion in my own little bubble and getting my creativity on. It’s being in the moment and sitting with whatever that is at the time. Its moving from place to place and exploring unfamiliar lands. There are so many reasons why I love this lifestyle but what is it for you and how can you make the most out of each moment and each moment count.
We will eventually leave this life we have come to know so well so take the opportunity now to live your life according to your hopes and dreams and if you’re not sure what that is, spend some time to rediscover yourself, to try new things to look at finding what’s right for you.
Follow your dreams!
Stay tuned for next weeks motorhome Vlog
TamSun
Kalypso &
Kali