Mental health

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Jewellbags

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Since October 2019
One of my drivers (excuse the pun) for getting a MH was the ability to “get away from it all” , switching off and the benefits to our mental health it brings . I’ve not yet really had the opportunity yet to do a long trip (but will) but wondered if any funsters have found this benefit in their journeys and adventures ?
 
My wife suffers from poor mental health and finds the motorhome a comforting safe place to be. That and the fresh air added to minimal stress from our daily life at home coming with us really helps her mood
 
Not done a long trip (still working) but would say that the holiday feeling starts the moment we drive away. A weekend feels longer, a fortnight luxurious. We tend to walk a lot more than we do at home. All good for us ...
 
Every time I start the van I get this smile in my head, even sitting in traffic jams is easier when you can get a cold drink from the fridge or have a wee if needed.... There is just no rush, well for me anyway....

What’s even better is when I land in Calais the smile just gets bigger and bigger, such a joy to drive over there....?

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That is exactly what I want to hear
 
The biggest negative I can think is that opening your curtains and seeing your MH outside, then heading off to work

otherwise all as above ??

for clarity I have just retired , so even worse now it is parked outside while Bev goes to work, but I do sometimes just go and sit in it ?
 
I get the work blues when I pass daisy ( exc me ) mon to fri
 
DavidG58 said:
The biggest negative I can think is that opening your curtains and seeing your MH outside, then heading off to work

otherwise all as above ??

for clarity I have just retired , so even worse now it is parked outside while Bev goes to work, but I do sometimes just go and sit in it ?
Click to expand...
Always something to do in there David ....?
 
Turn left at the bottom of the drive....I’m in my Holiday home and on Holiday, no pfaffing around with getting to airport and messing around taking a day to get to your destination before the holiday begins, takes me just as long to get to the destination but mentally I’m on Holiday... instantly.
The other bit for me is that I have always used the Chunnel to get across to Eu when I use a car (just to get it over with as quickly as possible), bizarrely in the Van I prefer to take the Ferry, pay the extra £10 for the “exec lounge” and just chill out as part of the experience.
Definitly didn’t buy this with any thought of mental wellbeing, but can happily say that for me it’s a tangible part of the experience, I am a much more chilled person when I’m out and about in the Motorhome.

Rgds

Jim

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Absolutely Agree, due to circumstances not really had chance yet to do the trips we want but even so just love the freedom of being down Cornwall sitting in van even in the rain has been very therapeutic for me. Luv it
 
We have just done a 10 week tour of France and Spain, and it was smiles all the way.

No 'baggage allowance' of a few kilo's, we know what the accommodation is going to be like, we know what the bed is like and how clean the toilet and shower is.

No booking sites, just amble along as and when. Stopping as and when. An adventure every day.

Total enjoyment and relaxation.

Craig
 
a few years back I had stage 4 cancer, Ive recovered but I had to sell my business, it all left more scars mentally than physically and I became prone to depression , whilst we already had been motorhomes for 6 years previously to becoming ill, the freedom it gave me after recovering was immense, because my wife still works (until may 2020) we have only done 1 long trip of over 3 weeks but EVERY time I get in the cab, whether to go on holiday or just to give it a run a weight is lifted off of my shoulders. Mental heath differs from person to person but for me I would defiantly say motor homing helps me and as helped in my recovery.

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I'm sure if you like being away in it then it will be better for your mental health but no more or less than anything else you enjoy be it hiking fishing playing music whatever. One thing to be wary of is that if one of you loves it but the other doesn't it could have exactly the opposite effect!
Happy travels
 
We find that when we are away in our motorhome we can find the time to relax, read, socialise with other motorhomes, and, most importantly of all, I can persuade my husband to go for a walk. It is generally acknowledged that walking and gentle exercise is good for lifting the spirits. I believe we spend far too much time on our computers and iPads when we are at home, so we have disciplined ourselves to data binge for only one hour per day.
 
I have suffered mental health issues, I am unusually going to be serious on this subject, as hard as it is on motorhome fun, I first went to the doctors regarding depression in 2010, the dr said it was probably because of my diabetes, gave me tablets and off I went, took the tablets for a short time, stopped as do not like taking tablets despite the tablets appearing to have helped. The depression came back worse this time, medication and cognitive behaviour training helped, but during this time I learnt that diabetes physically can cause mental health issues. My point on here is today is, if you are suffering mental health issues do not think you are the only one, get professional help, the motorhome will help, but the cause needs treating.
 
From reading some of the threads on this Forum I think it more likely that buying a motorhome caused them depression / stress rather than relieving it . I must say that in my 74 years on this earth I have never been aware of so many people with mental health problems . Are we expecting too much these days and putting ourselves under pressure to achieve whereas years ago we just accepted life as it was ?
 
Several years ago I had to leave work due to mental health reasons. Six months later, my husband lost his job. We packed up, and with only a few short trips under our belt, headed off to Europe for seven months. The trip was fantastic, the space and fresh air and most importantly removing myself from the norm helped me cope. Now I associate the van with good feelings and wellbeing and look forward to each trip in her. What is important is find what works for the both of you. Most importantly make the most of each day.

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Mark is still working but I'm not due to health problems - some days I never go outside and get very low and unhappy - I would use the word "depressed" but its not a long term depression but more brought about by my health and inability to physically go outside.
I cherish being able to go out in the van, and sometimes I get in at home and don't get back out until we're home again, but new places to drive through, sights to see, people watching can make all the difference to me. Mark walks the dogs and likes to look at old castles then comes back to the van and describes it all to me - yes, I'd love to do it as well but being in the van is what makes me feel so much better "in myself".
 
What a wonderful bunch you are . So to add to my original posting . I had started suffering with anxiety a few years back , I had seen a therapist (who was very good) and told her about my dream of just buggering off in a RV and she stated I should . Now I’ve started that metaphorical journey and looking forward to some real long spells when I can switch if the email and phone and listen to the waves and the wildlife - in my own “pad”

thanks to all
 
Grianan said:
Not done a long trip (still working) but would say that the holiday feeling starts the moment we drive away. A weekend feels longer, a fortnight luxurious. We tend to walk a lot more than we do at home. All good for us ...
[/QUOTE


Same for us too but we tend to drink a bit more as well though than st home.
Click to expand...
 
The starting of the van feels a little bit like pavlov and his dog - as soon as you start it you know you're in for gooooood vibes - the cleaner air when you're away is such a welcome treat - especially if you usually live in the city!
 
Whether it is a weekend on the coast or three months in Spain, every time we pull out of the drive we look at each other, smile, and say " another adventure ". And so it is - something fresh every time, which concentrates the mind on the pleasure ahead and leaving the worries behind. When we get back, the worries seem so much smaller than when we left.
 
Hi.
Loved work,watching the seasons change and the scenery through the windscreen (And getting PAID ! to do it )so just transferred from a big cab to a smaller one. Say the drivers prayer and kick the tyres (y)climb in and off you go..... Exploring . " To Infinity and Beyond " I will have some of that.
Tea Bag
 

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