How Camper Van Life Improved Our Mental Health & Wellbeing
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- čas přidán 17. 05. 2024
- We have owned our VW T6 camper van for over six years. In this video, we will share our personal journey of how camper van life has positively impacted our mental health and overall wellbeing. Living life on the road isn't just about moving from one adventure to another; it's a lifestyle that has transformed our perspective and enriched our lives in ways we never imagined.
Join us as we discuss the various ways camper van life has contributed to our mental health and wellbeing. From reconnecting with nature and simplifying our possessions to embracing a minimalist lifestyle and fostering a sense of freedom and adventure, we will explore the many benefits that we have experienced living in a camper van.
We are Richard and Jackie and we live in the UK. We retired from teaching at the age of 51 in the summer of 2022. Our plans for early requirement include relocating to the Yorkshire Dales, developing our forever home and travelling the UK, Europe and eventually the world in our VW campervan Nelson.
Please subscribe and like our videos if you like what you see.
Check out our blog earlyretirementwanderlust.com
Many thanks,
Richard & Jackie
Timeline
00:00 How a campervan has helped our mental health & wellbeing
01:22 A slower life in a campervan
02:42 Better sleep in a campervan
03:18 A Digital detox in a campervan
04:03 Connecting with nature in a campervan
05:00 A sense of adventure in a campervan
06:07 Being more active in a campervan
06:58 Better social connections in a campervan
08:35 A sense of awe and wonder in a campervan
09:34 Anticipation for campervan adventures
11:00 A simple and minimal life in a campervan
12:17 Primal evolutionary needs in a campervan
Thank you for this.......David in lreland
I am soon to get my first VW Campervan - Primal evolution here I come 👊
I hope it has as bigger impact on you as it has us! We have loved the freedom to get out and about whenever we want 🚐
Hello from germany. Same here. We have a van too, and at home is every month another problem....and friends, parents, children ,cooking...all this things ...never the same time like to be in nature.
We just love being in the van and being in nature - the campervan and being able to get away regularly has Been a saviour to us 🚐
Great information
Thank you ☺️
what a lovely experience to hear from you! I emigrated to Sweden where I live in the middle of nature and (in the past 10 years) have explored about every spot in the huge nature over here using a camping-converted Land Rover Defender. I will retire in 2 years and have ordered a camping-conversion of a secondhand VW LWB Transporter that I just acquired. I love your videos and plan exactly like you to enjoy the VW as much as I can. Cheers from Sweden, Erik
We have loved the freedom the vw camper has given us to get away as much as possible and to such a variety of different places. What a great place to immigrate to! Happy travels 🚐
The slow life vibe. We have just gone full time in the motorhome and already we feel the difference.i am still working however about to hand my notice in. For the last 8 years i have worked in a hospice and you realise you can’t buy time. Do it whatever it is to you now. So many people I have met who had plans in the future which were never realised. Take care guys Dave n Jo
After losing Richards brother at 48 we decided you just don’t know what the future holds. The van has been a sanctuary for us for many years 🚐
My husband and I have a wee microcamper. This is our first winter with it and we can say it has really helped our mental health at a time we usually struggle. Being able to just get away for a weekend, and follow the dry weather is great (not always easy in a Scottish winter!). We both sleep better in the van too. And more likely to just get up and do something outdoors when so close to nature. Love the channel. You guys are living my dream 😁
Thank you ☺️ just having the opportunity and freedom that the van gives us has been a game changer in our lives. We have been known occasionally to get away, even if the forecast is atrocious with a stock of books and a laptop to just chill out and read and watch Netflix. The outdoors is our playground! Thanks for watching x
Love this. Food for thought on campervan living. I will have to consider this option as l love an adventure.
Nelson the campervan has been our saviour for many years - we have no regrets getting it. It may also be slightly to blame for our earlier than planned retirement 😬
I can relate to so much of this. 16 years ago whilst we were still working we bought a static caravan situated on the Lancashire/Cumbria border. The sense of ‘aaah relax’ on a Friday night was just wonderful after the 1 1/2 hour drive. We are retired now, still have the caravan and can come and go as we please. We have a couple of energetic labradors and we are out in the fresh air walking/hiking every day. Then we get back to the van, fire the BBQ up, and open a bottle of wine. Just magic!
Awesome - just to have that base to escape to on a Friday night knowing you can be out on the fells hiking is priceless. We have friends with a static on Anglesey that was their little haven. Enjoy x
I’m new to your channel, and I love the fact you cover the importance of camping on an evolutionary level. This is a real pet idea of mine, that camping allows us to satisfy so many evolutionary needs (especially being in natural light and stretching our eye muscles to take in wide vistas, I feel) and that’s why we love it, and need it!
Good morning, thanks for the lovely feedback and comment. We are really glad that some of the ideas resonated with you. Primal evolution is a really interesting research area. Recently I listened to the work of Dr Joe Dispenza on the Modern Wisdom podcast that had some really interesting observations. On a simple level, we just love camping, being in the outdoors and all the benefits that brings.
Have a great day, Richard & Jackie
Hi Richard and Jackie. We would absolutely agree with all the points you covered in your video. You have expressed the amazing benefits of travelling in a campervan so well. We could not have anticipated how this way of experiencing the natural world would be so beneficial. We have been all over the UK, visiting locations in England, Scotland and Wales We also set ourselves the challenge of exploring all the UK coast, we have managed to complete most of it but still have some sections to visit before we finish. We also spent 3 months travelling through France, with no real plan, we just got off the ferry and turned South, it was an adventure we will never forget. We are currently planning our next trip and cannot wait to get back on the road again. Your video was a very timely reminder of why a camper van was one of the best investments we ever made. Thank you again and enjoy your travels.
Thank you ☺️ what an adventure that must be doing all of the coast line - there is a lot of it!!! My favourite bit being the Yorkshire coast - we have hardly done anything in the south apart from Cornwall - so one of our goals in the upcoming years 🚐 and France is just so easy to explore in a van with so many aires,campsites and gorgeous towns. Happy travels x
A man with a van + a lovely Wife + Bike - what more does a man need! 😃 Oh yer - Skis & boots 🤣
Don’t forget the karcher window vac that made his life complete 🚐 Thankyou 😊
Haha Yes Brilliant Tip! @@earlyretirementwanderlust 👏👍
We're planning our campervan trips for 2024 at the moment. It's true that the planning process and anticipation of the trips really do help with mental health. Our first trip of the year was Winchester CAMC last weekend. It was great to be out, and the minute we leave the driveway we're on holiday 😀🚐 Just need to do the early retirement bit 🤣. On countdown, so the light at the end of the tunnel is there. Thanks for all your inspirational videos. ❤️
Thanks for the lovely feedback Janet- it's always nice to hear that our videos are hitting the spot. Happy camping in 2024.
The van also puts you in nature, getting direct sunlight much more than you get when you’re at home. Being in nature and being in direct sunlight are known to be beneficial for maintaining good mental health. Also, the fact that planning and moving around in the van creates small challenges for you. It’s the opposite of sitting on a couch with the remote in one hand and a beer in the other. It’s a hobby that forces you into new situations constantly. This level of challenge is very good for our brains. Great content. Keep it coming. You guys are living the dream!
It’s such a great way at looking at the benefits of vanlife - something we never considered before we owned one! Thanks for watching x
This vlog hits the spot in every way. Being mindful, getting out into nature, looking forward to things, sleeping better. Spot on.
Thanks for taking the time and sharing this.
Safe travels ❤.
Its something we have talked about a lot - just how much it helped us being able to get away from it all mentally when we were going through some tough patches with family 🚐
We certainly can relate to much of what you say. We bought a small cabin cruiser 7 years ago. It was transformational. Like you guys, dropping off grid for the weekend was sensational, sleep was soo much better.and the connection to nature special. Because we can only use in the spring to autumn, we lose our 'drug' over winter. We have traveled now many miles and our weekends away from the rat race really keep us going before we retire.
So lovely to hear - you must be getting ready to plan your first trips away as spring is almost here 🚐 happy travels x
Yea great stuff i am 53 nature is my medication has been since my early 20s its what we are what we begwith what its all about have a great retirement 👍
Being out on the fells or by the sea just has such a calming effect on us both - like you said - a great medication. We are in the van tonight and I love listening to the patter of the rain - good job as it has rained for most of the last 9 months in the Dales 🤣
i am semi retired bachelor and plan and hope to live and travel in my new van full time
Wow - big changes ahead for you - hope it all goes really well for you 😊
@@earlyretirementwanderlust Thank you at ripe old age of 53
This is SO true, I agree on every point here, you have nailed it. I’m now on week 10 living in my van full time and although I am still working a little bit, whenever and wherever I choose, a digital nomad I think I’m classed as 🤔🤣, I’m so much more sociable and see more people, I sleep so much better too and absolutely love the minimalism, getting rid of everything I don’t need was so cathartic. 👍
I’ve always spent a lot of time outdoors swim, bike, run, hike, kayak, ski, etc and have been surprised at how easily I’ve been able to take all of that with me and the van not feel too cramped. Thanks for creating another great video. 🤗
Wow is it 10 weeks already? The social aspect really surprised us - it helps we have come out of our shells a little and will initiate conversation more 🚐
Just found your channel and I love it ❤ subscribed!! Share many of your views. Me and my husband are retired, bought a smaller house 10 years ago, renovated it and started to get rid of all things we "collected" over the many years with the two kids and dogs...
Our little house is kind of our "homebase" where we feel comfortable, especially during the winter. We travel with a small caravan, but we used to also have a VW Van when we were "young"
...many trips to Italy, Spain, France...in the past years we love to travel to northern Germany and Denmark, we like going for long walks with the dog.
Outdoor life is great and good for mental health, that is correct, I agree with you.
Thank you for your nice channel. Greetings from Germany !
Thank you for such lovely feedback and such a warm comment, it is so lovely that there are people out there that share our views on life. Having a home base to come back to from our travels is so important to us- we love going on adventures, but we also love returning home. We really do think that our love of the great outdoors has helped our mental health and well being over the past few years. The mountains and the seaside are our happy places.
Germany is definitely on our bucket list over the next few years, we cannot wait...but the list keeps getting longer during our retirement!
Thanks again, Richard & Jackie.
We love the mid week planning too! The Friday to Sunday break can feel like a lot longer when you’re out in the Camper 🥰
It really did feel like a proper get away. We would always get stuck on the M6 but it didn’t matter what time we arrived anywhere as we had the whole weekend to look forward to 🚐
As my husband and I prepare for retirement in a little over 2 years these are the very topics we have been discussing. Living in a way that is more minimalist and focused on outdoor experiences and all the benefits that provides is exactly where we at. Another great video that inspires and informs!
We have noticed a definite change in our mind set and activity levels both when away in the van and now that we have moved in to the middle of the countryside. 2 years will go so quickly x
I totally agree with all your sentiments - cycling to nearby attractions in nature & towns give you so much more freedom & wellbeing + saves on the tourist parking costs - I think the fresh air with exercise is also the key to better sleeping patterns, nice one guys!
We realised that just pottering about on beaches and walking into towns and villages can give us miles of footsteps and hours of fresh air - no wonder we sleep better!
no doubt the best video you han made. i just enjoyed watching and reflecting on your experience.
THANK YOU 🙏
Thank you Steen - such kind words. Glad it resonated with you - we truly believe that our mental health is in a better place because of the freedom of our campervan, particularly when we were still working!
I’m a new follower from St. Catharines, Ontario Canada. I just discovered you over the weekend and will slowly catch up with your videos. I stayed in Chapel-en-le Frith in Cheshire for two months back in 2001 while waiting for my Canadian visa. My late husband had relatives there. I am roughly the same age as you but can’t retire yet as I have twin sons still in university. You may have retired from teaching but your being former teachers is very evident in the way you educate us your viewers, very enjoyable indeed!
Wow it seems surreal that our video's reach all corners of the world! Thanks for watching. Chapel-en-le Frith is not too far from where we used to live in Cheshire and a beautiful part of the country. It will certainly have been a big change for you emigrating to Canada! 30 years of being a teacher is a hard habit to break!
Absolutely agree with your lifestyle and theory behind it, potentially approaching a similar opportunity five years behind you, but the thought of making the leap is scary
It was really quite daunting when first made the decision, particularly as we retired 3 years earlier than we had always planned! But as soon as we had commited and gave notice to resign from our jobs it went quite smoothly. I think selling a house at the same time helped keep us occupied 🤣
It’s so true , being free to go off in the van is wonderful. We also start planning a trip after one finishes- definitely agree with all your thoughts on the health benefits. I’m busy ordering a mini fire pit !! Thanks folks - claire
There is nothing better than sitting by the fire at sunset playing a game or listening to music 🎵 🔥
Great Vlog and 100% agree it is clearly a great opportunity to change your life. Loving your Vlogs and looking forward to many more
Thank you ☺️
Wonderful content and such valuable and inspiring information for both physical and mental well being thank you.
Thank you - we truly believe the freedom the van has given us to be out in nature has been a saviour at times, particularly when we were working!
Great video guys. We so look forward to our trips away in Nessie our motorhome and as you say the planning and anticipation is just as good as the trip itself. We also love to go out on long walks as it’s where a lot of our inspiration comes from. We often plan where we want to go next in the world when we’re on a walk. We love the relaxed pace of life when in the van and the freedom that it brings. We’re going back to Florida on Monday for a month, then in May we’re heading across the pond for our RV trip to Red Rock Canyon country and in September we’re taking Nessie to the Picos de Europa in the North of Spain. All trips came about during walks from our van……..it can get dangerous lol. Keep safe Irvine & Karen.
Wow your return to Florida has soon come around and actually not too long until your RV trip in Red Rock Canyon - very exciting. Nessie looks fabulous and spacious 🚐 have fun in the US x
@@earlyretirementwanderlust Thank you…..much appreciated
Hello Richard and Jackie,
I’m a 47yr old aspiring early retiree and have just bought a VW T6.1 California after following your videos.
I saw your recommended stop at Dover behind the police station - looks a convenient spot.
My question is whether it is sensible or common practice to put the roof up when staying in similar places. Is it a bit of a red flag and at risk of vandalism in such a public place? What do you do?
Thanks!
How exciting- you will have so many fab adventures ahead of you in the new campervan. We have absolutely loved our time in Nelson and the places he has taken us! It is 6 years this week since the conversion was finished and we headed out on our first trip to the Yorkshire Dales, little did we know at the time that we would be living there soon!
When we stay in very public places like Dover we tend to keep the roof down and to be fair we arrive really late at the port and are usually on an early ferry so it's not really needed. The carpark at Dover has always felt safe as there is safety in numbers and always other motorhomes parked up. We play it by ear and see what's around us first before we put the roof up if we are not on a campsite.
Hope this helps?
Happy travels
Needed to see this today thank you
Glad it was well timed x
Absolutely loving your channel guys. I’m currently abroad with work and have been for a number of weeks but your uploads are keeping me in touch with vanlife back home! A few trips booked already for when I return and it’s down to both of you😂 Inspiring me to get out there and get my van used! Thank you and safe travels
Thank you! Spring is in the air and the lighter nights for camping which will make such a difference after what feels like a long wet winter! Happy travels, where are you off to?
The trips I have booked at the minute are local to me up in Northumberland. Dunstan Hill and Bellingham (both club sites) are fabulous and I certainly recommend them. I definitely plan to explore the Dales this spring as well! Can’t wait!
Great video 👏
Thank you ☺️
@@earlyretirementwanderlust If you are interested in collaborating on a project in the future, then please feel free to contact us. ✌️🚐
Hi, great video 😃
Can i ask what bike rack that is you have ? I have back door the same as you on my van , but have not found a bike rack for it .
thanks , Kay ✌
Hi - the bike rack is the genuine VW T6 rack that you can buy from several websites. It was about £600 - 6 years ago 😬 with it being a tailgate door you also need to upgrade the gas struts that hold the boot up because of the weight of the rack. We ordered them through VW but fitted them ourselves after watching a CZcams how to video.
Thanks for the reply, wow not cheap ! My bike was only £25 😂
@greennarrowboater707 I know!!! We have seen them come up on eBay occasionally- seemingly anything that is vw related has the ‘VW’ tax on it 🤣
Hi, I enjoyed this video. Could Richard please give some suggestions on his favourite books he has read as they sound very interesting. Thanks xx
Hi Tina- thanks for the comment. There are so many that I have loved recently- but here are a few:
Die with Zero- Bill Perkins (less drastic than the title suggests!)
The Happiness Revolution- Andy Cope & Paul McGee (I am doing a book review video of this in the next few weeks)
I may be wrong- Bjorn Nathhiko Lindeblad (have some tissues ready...but a real life changer)
4000 weeks- Oliver Burkeman (a thought provoking read)
I hope these help?
Richard
@@earlyretirementwanderlust Thank you for the information, I really appreciate you getting back to me. Xx
Great video and very informative. Looks like you are having a great time. One question, have you ever had any scary experiences in your van at all?? Thankyou
Thank you 😊 we have had over 700 nights in the van now and never had any scary experiences- we did have a bird crash into the van on a foggy night in the Yorkshire dales when we were in the middle of nowhere 🤣 but that’s it!
@@earlyretirementwanderlust that’s good to hear and long may it continue. Enjoy.
This is another great, inspiring video! May I ask how much planning you do before each trip? We are big planners and we want to be more spontaneous but so many camping options where we live book up soo early. Once we retire early this summer, we should have more options during weekdays.
Thank you ☺️ planning depends on where and when we travel. We are staying on a small campsite near Shrewsbury tonight and only booked yesterday. If we know we are going to a uk campsite we tend to at least ring up or book before turning up. School holidays definitely need a bit more forethought in more touristy destinations. But mid week we tend to just pack up and go and use park 4 night app to find quiet spots. Happy retirement travels - it is amazing how much more freedom it gives you to plan less!
I notice the same better sleep in VW California. Is it tendency going to bed earlier as getting dark . Or toasty due to Dieselheater without air being very dry as damp interior is drying out…?
All the fresh air I think and definitely the dark nights! Was not so toasty warm in the alps at -14 degrees but we still slept really well 🚐