Tag: amazon

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Relax RV Podcast – S2 episode 52

Paul Sebastian, RN

How are you doing?

These are strange and trying times.

It seems that people who are “not essential” are experiencing new stressors at this time of change.

..lack of income

..frustrations of try to negotiate super inundated systems like unemployment

..kids and adults are stressed with isolation from their friends

..adults are dealing with working at home OR being an essential employee

..hard to get comfortable with the uncertainty of when their lives will go back to the routine they are comfortable with

..try to keep needed supplies in the household

“Essential ” people may be feeling overwhelmed because of being overworked or fearful because of possible exposure to the virus.

Either way These ARE trying times.

Signs and symptoms of stress overload:

Anxiety or panic attacks, A feeling of being constantly pressured, hassled and hurried, Irritability and moodiness, Stomach problems, headaches, or even chest pain, Allergic reactions, such as eczema, Acne  or asthma, Problems sleeping too much or too little, Over or under eating, Increased drinking, smoking or doing drugs, Sadness or depression, Feeling like you are losing control or need to take control, Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind, Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless, and depressed, Low energy, headaches, Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, Aches, pains, and tense muscles, Chest pain and rapid heartbeat, Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet, Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, Clenched jaw and grinding teeth, constant worrying, Racing thoughts, Forgetfulness and disorganization, Inability to focus, Poor judgment, Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side.

Things that will help you to relax:

..Find diversions

..start new or do old hobbies

..read

..jigsaw puzzles

..crafts

..clean

..paint

..fix or repair things that have been on the “honey do” list

..plan or explore options for your travel plans when the restrictions are lifted

..TALK on the phone

..play games with family or Solitaire

..work on the list of things broken in your rig or do modifications that you have wanting to do

podcast

Relax RV Podcast – episode 45 – Out of Louisiana into Georgia and a fixed slide again

Paul Sebastian, RN

Drove to Pearl River Louisiana. We wanted to hike but because of the flooding we had a hard time finding a place (see the photo for this episode). We drove a half hour to Northlake Nature Center in Mandeville Louisiana. And hiked for 2 and 1/2 hours. A nice park with boardwalks and small trails.
The next day we drove to Prichard Alabama to Chickasabogue Park and because we booked it through Passport America we camped there for $9 a night with full hookups.

We got set up and the slide started acting up again. The slide has difficulty going out. I remembered we had an issue in Montana with a wire going to the slide controller. So I asked Trish to hit the button to extend the slide while I went to the basement and I wiggled the wire that gets connected to the control panel that says ext (for extend) I wiggled it and as I wiggled it I heard an electronic switch going off inside of that control box and the slide came out.  

I had a conversation with myself and reminded myself to take a deep breath and relax and come up with a solution. I also reminded myself to put things in perspective. With all of this wonderful traveling that we’re doing we’re seeing beautiful things learning so very much (like the fact that we like to eat mud bugs) finding fantastic foods and meeting fabulous people. And I reminded myself the RV is put through an earthquake in a hurricane every time we drive it down the road 60 mile an hour winds and earthquake bumps.

 I then went on to Amazon found the control box Lippert Components 211852 Wall Slide-Out Controller V-Sync II for $250. I went ahead and ordered it and 2 days later I unplugged the old one –plugged in the new one – and the slide came right out without issue. So once again I hope that we figured out the slide problem.

The next day we drove 3 hours to Eclectic Alabama. 

We then went for a hike of about an hour through the park. Got back to the rig worked on pictures and then grilled dinner. That night it poured all night. We were setup under a carport so it was nice bbqing and such and not having to worry about the rain. On 3/2 I was getting cabin fever so I put on my rain gear and walked 2 miles to the town of Eclectic. When I got to town, the rain stopped and the sun came out. So I called Trish, she picked me up and we went to Lake Talisi Riverwalk. It was nice to get out for awhile. The next day we packed up, and headed to Brooks Ga. We arrived in Brooks Ga met our host. And had a nice conversation about rv solar systems.

 The next day we went in to Atlanta Ga. It was a so we found a Groupon for the Michael C Carlos Museum at the Emory University. What are really nice museum that had a great Egyptian display along with a lot of other interesting artifacts. Then we stopped in at the Ponce City Market which was the old Sears Roebuck and Company building. There was a lot of upscale shops restaurants and even a couple of bars in it. We bought a couple of chocolates at St Germain Bakery which were delicious. We then drove over to the Eclipse Di Luna in Atlanta. We got a few phenomenal tapas and it was happy hour so they were half price. Earlier in the trip Trish tried a coconut mojito and liked it. This place had one as part of their happy hour so she got one there and she liked it again. I guess this will be Trish’s cocktail of choice but her drink of choice will remain wine.

 

Some pics from Louisiana.

Pics from the Michael C. Carlos Museum

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Relax RV Podcast – episode 39 – We went to the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa, visited my brother Mike and his wife Jen and enjoyed time in the RV park

Paul Sebastian, RN

We visited the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa on the busiest day of the show, and let me tell you, WOW!  But the real reason for visiting Clearwater was to visit my brother Mike and his wife Jen. This was a bitter-sweet yet very healing visit for me. We then had our 2nd one-night stop over on the trip. We are loving the slower pace. 

Here are pics from the Tampa RV Supershow.

 

Here is a link to the Florida RV Supershow.

And a link to John and Kathy Huggins instructions on “How to survive a RV show”. 

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Can downsizing lower your Stress? 

Paul Sebastian, RN

In episode 20 of my RelaxRV podcast I talk about how living on the road in our 30′ motor-home for four months changed my view of “size” and things.

It is a fact that today buyers aged 35-54 are the largest segment of RV owners, according to the 2011 University of Michigan study. This is the 1st time that the average age group of RVers are not retirees. During our travels we met a lot of young families living fulltime on the road while homeschooling their children.

While writing my notes for episode 20, I did some research and found a couple of articles and a great book that talk about the reduction of stress associated with downsizing.

In the article in WebMD (https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/cut-stress-simplify-life#4) the author talks about how living “smaller”,  can reduce your stress by lowering time constraints. She also talks about the importance of “disconnecting” and reducing debt as associated with downsizing.

In another article “6 Reasons Downsizing Your Home Can Lower Stress” (https://seniordirectory.com/articles/info/can-downsizing-really-lower-your-stress) the author focuses on the financial benefits of downsizing.

And an interesting book (Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich by Duane Elgin) which looks at ways to live without being obsessed with “things” and may inspire you to start living a life that is simple, happy, and less cluttered.

So, take a deep breath in … let it out and relax.

podcast

Relax RV Podcast – episode 20 benefits of stress?

Paul Sebastian, RN

I talk about the benefits of stress. Wait, Stress has benefits? It sure does ! Ever get sweaty palms while driving? Well, that Stress response helps you grip the steering wheel better.

I also talk about downsizing. Can it help lower your stress level? Check this out:

Can downsizing lower your Stress? 

And ways we lowered our Stress like our new Bedlift kit to ease the access to un the bed storage. Here’s a video on that and other Stress reducing modifications we’ve made: https://youtu.be/D5Y5zNK4CzI

Check out the bedlift kit at: https://relaxrv.org/thingsweuse/