Screen time is something that families across the world are having to grapple with. Too much of it, it is now understood, can lead to poorer concentration, poorer social development, and poorer mental health outcomes in general. This applies to adults just as much as it does to children.
If you’re going to use your holiday time as a chance to reset and refresh yourself, then limiting screen time during your travels – or even eliminating it altogether – could be essential. It’s partly for this reason that a campervan holiday represents an excellent chance to take a screen-free break.
Reconnect with Nature
If you’re travelling in a campervan, you’ll have access to the more remote corners of the world. You can pull up in the middle of a forest, on a deserted beach, or in an otherwise unreachable corner of the Scottish Highlands.
By staying in such a location, you’ll be free to reconnect with the natural world, and free from the distraction of the digital one. You might consider stargazing, or a picnic, or a hike – all undisturbed by screen time.
Hands-On Activities
To get the most from your trip, you’ll need to put in a little bit of work. But this can be part of the appeal. Rather than spending your evenings glued to the screen of your phone or tablet, you might be cooking outdoors, or playing card games.
The tactile experience, and the face-to-face social interactions that come with it, may confer a number of substantial mental health benefits.
Enjoy Spontaneity
One of the key virtues of a campervan adventure is that you can stay just about anywhere – provided that you have permission to do so, and there’s space to accommodate your vehicle. This means that, if you see something you’d like to see or do, you can easily stop and do it.
This can help to foster natural curiosity and creativity, which can be hindered by excess screen time. Wherever you’re staying, make sure that your vehicle insurance has you covered. You can look for specialised campervan insurance, and make sure that you’ve considered the fine print.
Create Lasting Memories
Those who’ve grown up with motorhome trips might have powerful and lasting memories of their experiences. This form of holiday might force you into close proximity with your family, which can build a sense of powerful camaraderie.
In many cases, these memories can be so potent that you won’t feel the need to capture them by reaching for your phone. But it’s also a good idea to take snaps along the way – so consider investing in a real camera so that you can do this without having to open an app.
