Eat well and exercise. Get enough sleep. Develop and maintain close interpersonal connections.
Some of the best daily habits may not seem like they lend themselves to the travel lifestyle — but when it comes to RVing, nothing could be further from the truth. When you’re on the road exploring all the exciting new things the road has to offer, you’ve got lots of opportunities to learn new things and improve yourself.
From cultivating curiosity and wanderlust (hello, Rand McNally Road Atlas and National Parks Guidebook!) to becoming a better budgeter (you’ve got your Passport America membership ready, right?) to lacing up your hiking boots and getting outside, here are some good habits that your RVing adventure may just help you improve upon.
Travel Habits
When we think of traveling, healthy habits may not be the first ones that pop into our minds. After all, many of us use vacation time as a chance to cheat on our diets and skip our regular exercise routines. (Psst — it doesn’t have to be that way! Here’s our guide to staying fit and healthy on the road, without sacrificing fun.)
But RV camping’s unique blend of wanderlust and comfort not only allows you to continue your regular healthy living routine as usually — it actually gives you the opportunity to develop and hone some new good habits, as well. The same goes for your kids, by the way; the road can be an incredible classroom for life skills like making new friends!
Good Habits List
Here are some examples of good habits that RVing makes it easier than ever to learn, refine, and enjoy.
1. Get outside more.
Going outside isn’t just a breath of fresh air and a nice change of scenery. It can actually help make you healthier.
Not only do we tend to be more active outdoors, but the latest science shows that the simple act of venturing outside can actually help with mental health including seasonal depression. It can even improve your sleep!
Although creating lasting exercise habits can be a challenge, walking around outside is both cheap and appealing — after all, it doesn’t feel like work when you’re busy enjoying a stunning view. So lace up your sneakers or hiking boots and get out there!
2. Learn to appreciate quiet time.
When you’re out in the middle of the wilderness enjoying a few nights of boondocking, you may be faced with some solitude you’re not exactly used to — especially if you’re going whole hog and forgoing electricity. It’s pretty rare we get to step away from the hustle and bustle of our constantly-connected lives these days, but once you get past the initial shock, you may find you actually enjoy that sudden rush of peace and quiet. It’s a great opportunity to work on other healthy habits you’ve been meaning to get around to, like finding time to read more books or meditate.
3. Learn a new skill (or three).
If you spend much time on the road, chances are you’re going to have to learn something new — whether it’s how to change a tire or replace your RV’s sewer vent.
But you can also use your camping experience as a chance to learn fun new skills that help you explore your destination, like snorkeling, kayaking, rock climbing… or even just playing a decent game of mini golf.
4. Meet new people.
As our lives become more and more dominated by our cell phones and computers, many of us are losing the opportunities — and the skills — necessary to make new friends.
But campground are a great place to introduce yourself the old fashioned way: face-to-face, with a smile and a handshake. After all, the only thing that makes a good campfire better is more stories (and s’mores!) to put into the circle.
5. Try new and exciting foods.
Trying a new food can be exciting — or a little intimidating, depending on what it is. But the opportunity to expand your taste buds’ repertoire is one of the most thrilling parts of travel. Don’t miss out on a local delicacy!
6. Learn to live with less.
When you’re traveling in a camper, storage space is at a premium — which can force you to figure out what you actually need versus what you just want. Traveling light is an art, and doing so can help you realign your priorities and start focusing on experiences over things, which has been shown to both help people save money and live happier.
7. Cultivate curiosity.
Once you’re living the #RVlife, it’s easy to recognize: there’s so much out there to see and do. It’s up to you to cultivate the curiosity you need to go explore it!
For best results, choose new destinations and seek out new kinds of activities once you get there, rather than road tripping to the same places again and again. There’s way too much world out there to get stuck in a rut traveling to the same spots forever!
How to Meet New People
Of the items on this list, learning to meet new people may be the most challenging for many of us — and it’s also one of the good habits that’s most important for our children to learn, especially in today’s digital age.
Although it takes some courage and practice, meeting new people is a skill that can be developed like any other. Just remember to smile and be yourself!
For more helpful tips on how to become more outgoing, check out the following books on Amazon:
- How To Meet New People Guidebook: Overcome Fear and Connect Now by Keith Schreiter and Tom “Big Al” Schreiter
- How to Make Friends as an Introvert: Discover Introvert-Friendly Ways to Meet New People, Improve Your Social Skills, and Make New Friends by Nate Nicholson
- Mr. Rogers’ Guide to Making Friends by Fred Rogers
Exploration
Giving yourself permission to explore the world around you is one of the best habits you can cultivate, and camping is the perfect way to do so. After all, your only limit is the road — and it sure leads to some amazing places.
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