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Tips For Staying Healthy While Camping

Jun. 12 2018 Miscellaneous By Camp-Out RV

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Happy National Men's Health Week! Camp-Out has put together a guide for some simple tricks and things you can do while camping to make sure you are staying healthy while enjoying the great outdoors. 

...and even though it is Men's Health Week, these are universal tips that anyone can use to stay healthy!

The good news is you love being outside because you are a camper, and it is so much easier to be active and healthy outside - so half the battle is already complete!

Be Physically Healthy

This one is pretty obvious, but being active is a big part of staying healthy. It is recommended that you should do moderate to vigorous activity at least 2 1/2 hours per week - that's 20 minutes a day or 50 minutes 3 times a week!

Here are some example of activities you can do while at the campground

  • Go for a hike or walk around the campground or nearby trails
  • Go for a good swim
  • If the water is too cold or you don't want to swim, take a kayak or canoe out for a paddle
  • Do a mini workout around your campsite (use heavy rocks or water jugs as weights, do push-ups, jumping jacks, air squats or other body weight exercises
  • Instead of buying cut firewood try to buy logs that you can chop at your site

Be Mentally Healthy

Your brain needs exercise too! There are tons of things you can do to stimulate your brain and help break up your routine - and pretty much all of them can be done anywhere, at anytime, in any weather!

Here are some great brain exercises:

  • Do a crossword or Sudoku
  • Read a book
  • Play card games
  • Learn to play an instrument
  • Switch hands for routine tasks (for example, brush your teeth with your left hand if you are right handed)
  • Do things upside down (for example, wear your watch upside down so it forces your brain to think extra hard when trying to read the time)

Protect Your Body & Fuel it Right

It can be easy to fall into the vacation trap while camping that you can eat and drink whatever whenever. Don't get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with S'Mores, malted beverages and other camping staples! But being conscious of what you are eating is still important while camping.

Here are a few health tips to keep in mind on your next trip

Drink Water

Your body needs water to stay hydrated.  The rule of thumb is 8 glasses of water per day, but that can vary per person and what activities you are doing. 

Water Tip #1:  Get a large water bottle to keep with you, you are more likely to drink the water if it is there with you, and will also help you stay accountable to finishing your daily goal

Water Tip #2: If you like to drink juice, pop, beer or other alcoholic drinks while camping, implement the "1 and 1" rule.  Have 1 glass of water after every non-water drink to keep hydrated.

SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN

It doesn't really matter if you are trying to tan, or if you don't burn easy, the sun is damaging your skin whether you can see it or not and can cause skin cancer, so put on sunscreen to protect your skin!

Eat Healthy

Your body needs fuel, and just like any machine it will function a lot better on good fuel (food and water).  Planning your meals ahead of time can help to make sure you are still eating well while camping, and also helps saves trip to grocery stores so you can enjoy the campground more

Happy Camping!!