Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
Now I have had an interesting observation. While traveling, I have less back problems and I am more willing to do things that I will not do at home. Today is Tuesday. Sunday when we came home from Stone Mountain, GA (6-7 hours in the "Beast"), my only complaint was sore calf muscles from walking down Stone Mountain. Last night when I got home from work, my back was hurting so much I went to bed.
My spine is in bad shape...2 surgeries, severe arthritis, etc. But it amazes me that I went hiking 2 weekends in a row.
So is it the more relaxed life style, the smallness of my traveling home or stress of work and home that cause the extreme changes in my pain level. Something to really consider.
I would venture to say that most people's health improves after they retire. Stress and repetitive tasks take a toll on the body. Reduce the stress and get use to doing a variety of things helps improve the body.
Barb
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Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
Negative stress can definitely effect our health, both physically and mentally. That is a large part of the reason we are doing this. Bill's demanding, non-stop job is taking it's toll on him. Some might say he should just look for a new job, which he could, but in todays work environment ALL employers expect a crazy amount of hours and every employee has a VERY long list of responsibilities, so finding a new job would probably just trade one devil for the next. Better to get out now and let the start of the healing begin.
Glad you are feeling better and are enjoying life, Kitties Mom! Can't wait to join you!
For me I have found that climate and less stress when on the road helps. I also have physical ailments which do much better in warmer and drier climates. It also helps that you are not involved in all the drama of life when on the road.
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Patti and Ed
and their feathered kids in the Lipson Chicken Coop
I have started to come to the realization that my back hurts less if I don't think while I drive. Now to clarify that statement. If I think of work while I am driving, my back hurts more. Also while I am on our weekend retirements, I read and work puzzles plus hike so I don't think of work. Only problem is work is what makes our camping possible so I sill have to do it
I certainly would not disagree with the sentiments previously mentioned, I would add that one's state of mind has a lot to do with whether something is a negative stress trigger. Your mental attitude about a task or situation will determine it's impact on your body. Enjoy a walk in the country? Your body responds accordingly by leaving you feeling invigorated. Hate shopping? Then that walk around the mall will wear you out. Same activity, different perception of what it represents in your minds eye. Think of all the things people do to cope(interesting word to use here) with "stress" to make them feel "better"... sweets or nutritionless snacks, smoking, drinking alcohol, vegging out in front of the TV, worry and so on. It can be argued that some of these things are okay, some not at all, but in moderation and certainly not as a substitute for whatever was causing the negative stressfulness.
Stress is important in your life. Without it you body and soul cannot respond to new situations or adapt well. Embrace stress with a superior attitude and the rewards logically include better physical and mental health.
FWIW, Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Wednesday 16th of July 2014 05:10:16 AM
Working and learning new things were great when I was young. Then as I found the career I wanted to do when I got in my 20-30's which I was enjoying and still learning the employers wanted it faster; while I wanted it done right the first time. "Pride in a job well done"! The employer was wanting quicker and the comebacks from employees were increasing and guess who got to repair the "others" comebacks and still have to complete his own!!!
I worked the last few years before my health problems doing seasonal work camping which I enjoyed immensely as I basically ran my own "ship".
Now as I am early retired and 63; the challenges are trying to get the right diet; exercising properly and keeping my emotional well-being in check!!! A difficult line of tasks; but I'm getting better at it, I can even walk further than I could 2.5 years back. Now I am thinking about other less physically demanding types of self fulfillment I would enjoy doing! Fishing is on my bucket list!
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Life is too short. Live it Now!
Currently at Shady Acres RV Park Lebanon; Tennessee
When I was in my 20s a friend and coworker told me a story about his neighbors when he was growing up. The man was a banker and worked very hard. One day he had a heart issue, not a full heart attack, but it was coming. The doctor told the man, "you have a year to live". The man and his wife looked around, saw the kids were grown up and on their own, the house was paid for, they had lots of money saved, so he did not have to work. He quit, they sold the house, bought a motorhome and went on the road. When my friend was telling me the story he had recently seen them when they were visiting, looking healthy and it had been 7 years more than his "year to live". The doctor said the change in lifestyle and stress levels gave him those years, he could live many, many more.
I remembered it and now I know how true it really is.
Now I have to track down that old friend and coworker.
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Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com Full-timing since July 2003
All I can say is.......Live, Breath & Relax........On my worse day I can look out and just say thank you for the extra moments and even tho the body hurts the mind is at peace and happy!!!!
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1998 ...Harney Renegade DP class A
rers1@mail.com
My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)
We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
After starting the RV lifestyle and boondocking 6 months of the year in mountain paradise I never felt or looked healthier. Lack of stress, a more active lifestyle and all that fresh air. Unfortunately it all came crashing down this summer when I went into acute liver, kidney and heart failure. Underwent emergency surgery three weeks ago and have returned back to home state and family Dr. No known cause for what occurred but recent lab work shows things are improving slightly. I will get back to my mountain and that keeps me going for now. Can't tell you how important it was to have medical records, previous Dr. info and a set up with a pharmacy that transfers RX's and the medical DPOA. Wonderful hospital and staff at Cedar City Utah. Healthy and safe traveling to all of you. Kate
This is so good to hear of the many health improvements! We will begin full-timing in April in a little teardrop. Another full-timer that we know said she hasn't been sick and has lost weight and feels so healthy since she started full-timing several years ago! We look forward to this healthy lifestyle and new life chapter!
Kate, I hope you continue with a quick recovery and return to the road!
Thanks!
Diane
-- Edited by birder526 on Sunday 16th of November 2014 01:55:54 PM
When I was in my 20s a friend and coworker told me a story about his neighbors when he was growing up. The man was a banker and worked very hard. One day he had a heart issue, not a full heart attack, but it was coming. The doctor told the man, "you have a year to live". The man and his wife looked around, saw the kids were grown up and on their own, the house was paid for, they had lots of money saved, so he did not have to work. He quit, they sold the house, bought a motorhome and went on the road. When my friend was telling me the story he had recently seen them when they were visiting, looking healthy and it had been 7 years more than his "year to live". The doctor said the change in lifestyle and stress levels gave him those years, he could live many, many more.
I remembered it and now I know how true it really is.
Now I have to track down that old friend and coworker.