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.
Lucky Mike said
06:14 AM Jun 3, 2014
HHHHmmmmm...........The choice of total relaxation and added happiness gets my vote!!!!......
The Bear II said
07:52 AM Jun 3, 2014
Stress can do damage to body and mind....
TRAILERKING said
08:19 AM Jun 3, 2014
The Bear II wrote:
Stress can do damage to body and mind....
Stress will eat you up.......................
Barbaraok said
10:03 AM Jun 3, 2014
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
Technomadia said
10:45 AM Jun 3, 2014
Stress definitely does bad stuff to our bodies - inflammation being a primary one.
I also find the excitement of new adventures gives me a natural high that helps reduce a lot of my aches and pains.
Enjoy :)
jrzygrl64 said
11:38 AM Jun 3, 2014
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!
Kelly
Talensnana said
11:51 PM Jun 3, 2014
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.
Kitties Mom said
05:29 AM Jun 4, 2014
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
Chamaigne said
12:28 PM Jul 15, 2014
I think there is something to be said for fresh air too.
BiggarView said
05:06 AM Jul 16, 2014
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
Dog Folks said
05:59 AM Jul 16, 2014
When I told my doctor of my plans to retire and travel fully time his response was:
"Good. You will live ten years longer."
When I asked him to elaborate, he mentioned the massive reduction of stress.
I sure hope he is right!
suse1023 said
04:56 PM Oct 12, 2014
Happiness is Healthy!
PIEERE said
08:17 AM Oct 13, 2014
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!
Diana and Jim said
05:24 PM Oct 13, 2014
I am in line with Dog Folk's doctor. We feel so much better since we retired. We are 56 years old and hopefully we parlay that into 15 extra years! :)
Jim (and Diana)
bjoyce said
06:48 PM Oct 13, 2014
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.
Lucky Mike said
06:02 AM Oct 14, 2014
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!!!!
Steve and Kate said
10:12 AM Oct 14, 2014
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
birder526 said
01:52 PM Nov 16, 2014
Hi,
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
TRAILERKING said
05:08 PM Nov 16, 2014
bjoyce wrote:
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.
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.
HHHHmmmmm...........The choice of total relaxation and added happiness gets my vote!!!!......
Stress will eat you up.......................
Barb
I also find the excitement of new adventures gives me a natural high that helps reduce a lot of my aches and pains.
Enjoy :)
Glad you are feeling better and are enjoying life, Kitties Mom! Can't wait to join you!
Kelly
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.
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
"Good. You will live ten years longer."
When I asked him to elaborate, he mentioned the massive reduction of stress.
I sure hope he is right!
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!
Jim (and Diana)
I remembered it and now I know how true it really is.
Now I have to track down that old friend and coworker.
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
Hi,
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
Like that story.......