People who live van life know that it’s not quite the idyllic vagabond adventure that many people think. The high degree of freedom in van life comes with different challenges to overcome.
Whether you’re living the van life alone or with a partner, daily challenges can fester into chronic problems if not addressed. To make the most of your adventure through the Sierra Nevada and prevent burnout from setting in, consider these essential self-care tips for living van life.
Take Breaks
Life happens, and when you’re in a tiny van out in the elements, things can go awry. Whether you get a flat tire around Silver Lake, face a snowstorm, or simply get fatigued from your adventure, you’ll have to deal with frustration and dissatisfaction at some point.
When that happens, rather than throwing in the towel on your road trip through the Sierra, take a break from the van. Whether you stay in a hostel or motel or rent a room in someone’s home, find a place to get out of the van for a day or two and recharge.
Be Prepared
It’s not just a Boy Scout motto—it’s a fact of life. Van life can quickly swing from blissful to unbearable if you don’t have the right equipment.
Even though you’re living with the bare essentials, some van life accessories are worth the hype, such as a durable power source like solar panels. Solar panels harvest and convert solar energy into electricity you can use to power things like your laptop and cell phone. Equipment like this helps to keep van life fun and liberating.
Vary Your Activities
The final essential self-care tip for living van life is to get plenty of varied physical activity. Living in a van can become just as sedentary as sitting in a cubicle if you’re not careful. Between sleeping, driving to your destination, and preparing meals, you can sometimes forget why you’re living in a van in the first place!
Set aside time each day for physical activity to take care of your body and mind. Consider taking a leisurely hike, doing yoga, or biking to get your blood flowing and spend time out in nature.
Image credit: File# 294927546 Woman relaxing on bed in camper van By Abigail Marie
