Top Tips for Towing Caravans

Posted on by Vavista

With ‘staycations’ on the rise, there are a lot more caravans on the road. It pays to know the current laws and how to keep on the right side of them.

 

How many Caravans are on the road?

There are an estimated 555,000 touring caravans in the UK. That’s a lot of caravans on the road and half a million drivers that can use our handy tips to avoid a £1,000 fine.

Caravaners - top tips for towing - a car towing a caravan on the motorway.

Do you have the right license to tow your caravan?

You passed your test so you’re legal to tow a caravan right? Well there is no such thing as a ‘trailer licence’. Some licenses include the right to tow certain caravans, while others might need you to take an extra driving test:
 
  • If you passed your driving test before 1st January 1997 you’re allowed to drive a vehicle with a trailer or caravan combination up to 8,250kg.
  • If you passed after 1st January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive a vehicle and trailer/caravan combo up to 3,500kg.
  • As of 19th January 2013 drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test, can tow a small trailer/caravan of up to 750kg.

Does my vehicle have enough towing capacity?

  • The greatest weight your car can safely tow (i.e. fully loaded car plus fully loaded trailer/caravan) is listed in your car’s handbook.
  • The RAC has a great guide here if you can’t find your handbook. You should also remember that you can only tow something that is at most, 2.55 meters wide and 7 meters long.
  • Towing something too heavy is not only illegal but can also do serious damage to your car.

How can I make sure I am towing safely?

  • Make sure your tow bar is ‘type approved’. Meaning it meets EU regulations and is the right type for your car.
  • Never carry passengers in the caravan when you’re towing it.
  • Make sure your number plate is BS approved, shows your car’s registration number, and has lights on it at night.
  • Try to keep the caravan as light as possible with the heavier items low down and close to the axle.

Don’t forget you are towing a caravan

  • It seems obvious, but give yourself more time and space especially taking corners.
  • Never exceed 50mph on single carriageways or 60mph on dual carriageways.

By following these essential tips and guidelines, you can confidently tow a caravan while safeguarding your loved ones and your vehicle.

Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy the open road responsibly. For more insights on travel inspiration, explore our blog on driving abroad. Safe travels!

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

Driving in Freezing Fog

Posted on by Vavista

The great British weather presents us with driving challenges at the best of times. Winter driving can come with challenging conditions such as darker mornings and nights, storms, high winds, fog, ice, and snow. Freezing Fog in particular can be very dangerous and Vavista has found some easy steps you can take to make your driving easier and safer.

Did you know…

Like normal fog, freezing fog is caused by land cooling overnight under clear skies. Freezing fog is similar but even more hazardous as it’s fog in freezing temperatures and consists of supercooled water droplets suspended in the air. This can lead to increased chances of black ice or your windscreen freezing over impairing visibility.

Preparing for driving in freezing fog

There are a few simple steps you can take to be safer in these conditions;

  • Ask yourself, is it safe to drive or should I postpone my journey?
  • If your car is iced up, ensure it’s all clear BEFORE driving
  • Make sure you know how to operate both front and rear fog lights, know where the buttons are, and any settings

  • When it’s really cold have a quick look at the pavement, is it frozen? This will give you a good idea of the potential road conditions
  • Pull away gently using low revs, you might even need to use 2nd gear to get going, and be gentle with both the accelerator and brakes to avoid skidding
  • If the freezing fog is severe use your fog lights, but DON’T use your headlights on full beam as this will reflect back and dazzle both you and other road users
  • Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front, the ‘two second rule’ is a good way to be at a safer distance
  • Stick to main roads if you can as these are more likely to have been cleared, gritted and maintained by local authorities and the Highways Agency
  • Give yourself up to ten times more distance between you and vehicles. This is even more important at junctions where markings may not be visible
It is important to remember that if you are defrosting your car with the engine running to not leave it unattended. Your insurance may not be valid if something were to happen to it.

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea – the facts

Posted on by SBSS
Snoring is the subject of many a joke but can be far from a laughing matter. It can leave you feeling exhausted the next day due to poor quality sleep as well as ruin the sleep of a partner. And we are becoming more and more aware of the effects poor sleep can have on our health – dementia, heart disease, obesity and much more.

What causes it?

Well, it can be a feature of your anatomy – the shape of your mouth and nose. That can also be influenced by your weight – being just a few pounds over, especially if you carry your weight around the middle and neck, can increase your risk of snoring. It can also be due to smoking, drugs (illicit and prescribed) and alcohol. Plus, allergies, and nasal stuffiness can influence it too.

Understanding the cause (and it can be a combination) can help you reduce your risk by avoiding the avoidable risks like smoking and alcohol. Losing weight will reduce your snoring and help you sleep better – and that makes it easier to keep the weight off in return! And other causes such as allergies and your anatomy may potentially be improved by medication or special devices to help open your airways further.

Have you heard of sleep apnoea?

Waking up tired, or being told by your partner that you snore, or ʻtoss and turnʼ can all be signs of a much more serious sleep complaint – sleep apnoea.

People with sleep apnoea wake themselves up many times during the night, sometimes unaware, as they stop breathing temporarily and consequently are very tired during the day, often falling asleep in front of the TV. More than 1 in 50 people have sleep apnoea, 2/3rds are men…but the risk is increased 7 times if you are obese. Left untreated it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

People with sleep apnoea are less alert and show slower reaction times when driving. The effect can be worse than that of drinking alcohol over the drink-driving limit.

As a result, people with sleep apnoea are up to 5 times more likely to be in a car-crash from nodding off at the wheel. It can also affect productivity at work and the ability to make healthy choices. This means you can end up in a vicious circle:- the sleep apnoea caused by being overweight makes you reach for quick sugar and fat-filled energy boosts and leaves you too exhausted to exercise…..which increases your weight and your sleep apnoea even more.

If you recognise any of these symptoms of sleep apnoea or even just snoring that is causing sleep disturbance you should contact your GP. He or she can arrange tests for sleep apnoea or other causes of snoring – it can be treated and you will feel a lot better.

In the meantime, try to avoid alcohol, smoking, sleeping tablets and other sedatives, which can worsen sleep apnoea, and sleep on your side if possible. A ʻMandibular Advancement Deviceʼ, similar to a gum-shield (that is best fitted by a dentist) can sometimes help to hold your jaw and tongue forward and reduce symptoms.

For more severe sleep apnoea, a special mask will be prescribed to be worn at night to improve your breathing and therefore your sleep.

Once you are sleeping better you will find it much easier to tackle any other areas of your health that may be contributing to your poor sleep – and that downward spiral of poor sleep will soon reverse.

For more information on snoring check out the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder, and how can you combat it?

Posted on by SBSS
Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) is a type of depression related to changes in seasons, and usually begins and ends around the same times every year. It’s not that uncommon – we all tend to feel a bit fed-up as the nights draw in. The usual time to start feeling the symptoms of S.A.D is in the autumn, and the effects can last through to the end of winter.

In the UK in particular, we tend to be more susceptible to S.A.D, due to the extreme differences in light from summer to winter. The problem is, we need bright light in the morning to re-set our body clock and keep our body in its natural rhythm. Even on an overcast day we can get between 10-30,000 lux of light (lux is used as a measure of the intensity, as perceived by the human eye, of light) if we head outdoors, which sets us up for the day. But offices may only provide around 500 lux of light. So, if we get up in the dark, head to a gloomy office and then come home in the dark we are just not getting our light fix.

Then we play havoc with our body clock even more by using bright blue lights before bed, when naturally light would be dim to prepare us for sleep. These changes in seasonal light, combined with our hectic lifestyles and long periods of dark, gloomy days can have dramatic effects on our mental wellbeing, and even our weight. No wonder many of us end up suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

S.A.D. can leave you feeling stripped of energy, withdrawn, moody, and can even affect sleeping patterns. The good news is that there are ways you can help to reduce your S.A.D symptoms:

Try to get out in natural sunlight as often as possible – even if it is just for a 30 minute walk before work or in your lunch-break. Our bodies’ natural responses to light can affect our appetite, energy levels and mood, so getting outdoors could help to improve your symptoms. What’s more, exposure to even 20 minutes of natural sunlight, particularly in the morning, has been shown to help you keep the weight off, which is an added bonus!

The boost of endorphins you get when exercising could help you feel better by flooding your body with those feel-good chemicals. And, exercising in the cold may help to boost brown fat which could help weight loss. What better reason to keep active in winter? Try and get outdoors in natural light rather than the gym.

We know how the foods we eat can affect our weight, but did you know they can affect your mood too? Make sure you are providing your body with a healthy, balanced diet, and both your weight and your mood could see the positive effects.

High stress levels will only heighten any depressive feelings you’re having. Where possible, try to avoid stressful situations and take steps to manage your stress levels.

Consider investing in a light therapy lamp. Make sure you find one that provides 10k lux to mimic natural sunlight and use it to give yourself a light boost in the morning. You can also get lights that mimic natural sunrise and sunset to help tune your body clock even more.

If you’re struggling to deal with your S.A.D, then please speak to your GP in case further help is needed.

Follow the above tips and you may not need to wish the winter away. Instead, try to enjoy all of the pleasures it can bring – crisp, frosty mornings, sitting by a roaring fire in the local pub and delicious, home-cooked and nourishing soups and stews!

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Posted on by SBSS
This month is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome month and Vavista’s Dr Sally Norton is talking us through PCOS – what it is, the risks, and how to manage the symptoms.

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is actually quite common with 1 in 20 or so women being affected. You are more likely to have it if your mother or other close relatives have it.

What symptoms does it cause?

It is not fully understood – we are not even sure what causes it – but it is a hormonal condition where your ovaries produce more male hormones than usual, affecting egg production and release and making it more difficult for women with PCOS to conceive. Also, it affects the way you respond to the hormone, insulin – people with PCOS are less sensitive to it making them a little more likely to have metabolic disorders which can affect liver, heart and blood vessels and weight.

Anything else?

A just-published study suggests that the ratio of fat-to-lean tissue and the fat distribution itself may be a bit different from that of women without PCOS. In PCOS, the waist:hip measurement is often higher – are you more of an apple shape than a pear? It is associated with lots of small cysts in the ovaries (hence the name) and you may have noticed missed or irregular periods.

In addition, the excess of the male hormones (females without PCOS produce these ‘male’ hormones too, just in smaller quantities) can mean more hair on face and body (though thinning of scalp hair) and greasier skin, prone to acne. Not brilliant news – but most of these problems can be overcome so don’t panic!

What can you do about it?

It is really important for women with PCOS to control their weight to reduce the risks of illness later in life. Also, just a 10% in weight loss can restore normal periods and help fertility. Going on the pill can make your periods more regular too, reduce the male hormone levels and therefore the acne. However, if you are trying to get pregnant then the pill obviously won’t be much good to you. If weight loss doesn’t help, and other causes for infertility (including your partner!) have been excluded, then tablets to improve fertility or even IVF can be tried.

A tablet called metformin, often used to help diabetics, is also of benefit in PCOS, helping the body to maintain stable sugar levels and reduce the male hormones. There are also other drugs that reduce the levels of male hormones and can therefore help with acne and male-pattern hair changes. You need to have a full discussion with your doctor about any of these problems that may be troubling you. He or she may refer you to a specialist to discuss what, if any, of the above treatments may be of benefit. However, there is an awful lot you can do yourself.

It is of utmost importance that you focus on your health – keeping fit and eating healthy, non-processed food – as we advocate on our Vavista programmes and site anyway. There is some evidence that insulin resistance and metabolic problems can be reduced by avoiding too much carbohydrate and reducing snacking – eating just two meals a day rather than 6 smaller meals helped in a recently published study of type-2 diabetic patients who have similar metabolic problems of insulin resistance to patients with PCOS. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg will help skin and hair as well as general health – can you get up to the 10-a-day that was recently recommended?!

Keeping active will help reduce the risk of heart disease – and it is never too late to start in that regard. I hope this helps, please get in touch if you have anymore questions.

References:
Hum Reprod. 2014 May 9. Association of fat to lean mass ratio with metabolic dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Ezeh  U, Pall M, Mathur R, Azziz R.  Metabolism. 2007 Jul. Estimation of truncal adiposity using waist circumference or the sum of trunk skinfolds: a pilot study for insulin resistance screening in hirsute patients with or without polycystic ovary syndrome.  Toscani M, Migliavacca R, Sisson de Castro JA, Spritzer PM.
Hana Kahleová et al. Eating two larger meals a day (breakfast and lunch) is more effective than six smaller meals in a reduced-energy regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomised crossover study. Diabetologia, May 2014

We are now a climate positive workforce!

Posted on by Vavista

At Vavista, when you become a customer or renew your policy with us, we plant a tree on your behalf to help you make a positive impact on the planet. But, we didn’t just want to ‘talk the talk’, we wanted to ‘walk the walk’ and that’s why we at Vavista have taken the steps towards becoming a climate positive workforce as well.

We’re pleased to announce that we are now working with Ecologi to help offset the carbon footprint of our staff here at Vavista.  We are doing this through a monthly donation to various carbon offsetting initiatives, including planting trees and CO2 reduction projects that remove more greenhouse gases than our carbon footprint puts in.  By partnering with Ecologi, we aim to become more carbon aware and will be implementing lower carbon living both in and out of the office.

We’ll share the info and tips with you too, in case you want to join us in reducing your carbon footprint. And we’ll  keep you updated with the great work and projects that we, at Vavista, are helping support via Ecologi, so please stay tuned over on our Healthy Planet page and give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to hear more!

 

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

How to get sleep during the hot summer months

Posted on by SBSS

With the summer months bringing with it some pretty humid nights, Dr Sally shares her top sleep tips for getting better sleep during the summer nights.

As much as we love the joy that hot summer days can bring, a real British heatwave isn’t necessarily all fun and games. In fact, for some people, the summer heat can make everyday life a bit too hot to handle… think stuffy days spent in un-air-conditioned offices and sticky, humid, sleepless nights.

If you’re one of those people who struggles to sleep when it is too hot, then the summer months can be hell. The muggy heat that we experience in the UK summertime can stop us from getting the sleep that we badly need, and increasingly are lacking in. Constant tossing and turning, throwing sheets and blankets off in frustration, opening every window in an attempt to just cool down. It’s no fun.

If trying to get through the day after a bad night’s sleep isn’t enough by itself, studies have also shown that a lack of sleep can lead to weight gain – we’ve all experienced that urge to reach for sugary foods when we’re feeling tired. So with this in mind, here are my top 3 tips to help you get a good night’s sleep in the summer heat.

Avoid alcohol

It’s tempting, sometimes, to use alcohol as a sleep aid. However, whilst it may help you fall asleep, it also causes disturbances in sleep, resulting in less restful sleep overall. Too many drinks will also contribute to that carb craving the next day.

Cut out caffeine

Consuming caffeine too late in the day can keep us feeling awake and affect our ability to get to sleep at bedtime, so simple steps such as cutting out caffeine at least four to six hours before bedtime may help you to get to sleep more easily when you decide to hit the hay. If you like to have a hot drink in the afternoon or early evening, then swap out your usual coffee or tea, and try a caffeine-free tea.

Ditch the screens

Don’t spend your evening time on tablets, e-readers or phones, as the blue screens have been found to affect our ability to get a deep, restful sleep. Instead, make the most of the long, light evenings to get a relaxing stroll (and ensure you reach your 10,000 steps a day!). When it’s time for bed, try one of the many sleep apps available, to help you to drift off to sleep.

And if the light mornings wake you up way before you need to, you could even consider getting a bit of exercise in to set you up for the day!

Celebrating 333 million trees planted!

Posted on by SBSS

When you become a customer of Vavista, we help the planet by planting a tree on your behalf.  We do this in partnership with Eden Reforestation, who are now Celebrating 333 million trees planted around the world. This is all thanks to the hard work of their 25,000 full time and seasonal staff!

Who are Eden Reforestation?

Celebrating 333 million trees planted - a girl is laughing, balancing a red bucket on her head in a field of trees. She is dressed in traditional clothes.

Eden Reforestation Projects (Eden) functions as a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the natural environments devastated by deforestation in developing nations. Through direct collaboration with communities grappling with dire poverty due to land degradation, Eden tackles the consequences of deforestation head-on. By engaging and training local residents, the organization empowers them with knowledge and resources essential for the yearly cultivation, nurturing, and safeguarding of millions of trees, promoting sustainable growth.

Who started Eden Reforestation?

In 2005, Ethiopia’s then President of the Southern Nations, Hailemariam Desalegn, asked Dr. Stephen Fitch to help with an abandoned nursery and forest restoration project near Hawassa, Ethiopia. Dr. Fitch agreed and started what would become Eden’s Employ to Plant approach: offering sustainable jobs to locals for restoring and safeguarding their environment. People from Gallo Argesi were hired, planting over 200,000 trees in the first year. By 2012, the project concluded with more than 16 million trees planted by over 3,500 Eden staff members.

What has Eden done with Vavista so far?

We are so proud to be able to contribute towards these inspiring projects.  You can find out more about the incredible work Eden are doing over on YouTube here.

Since becoming a partner with Eden Reforestation Projects, the contribution we have been able to provide on behalf of our policyholders has made a huge difference.  So far, 102,340 trees have been planted and 1,023 works days have been created!

 

We’ll be doing more over the coming months to expand our commitment to caring for the planet, as well as continuing to care for the wellbeing of our policyholders.

 

Six low carb veg-swaps for summer

Posted on by SBSS

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t subscribe to the ultra-low-carb fad. Yes, I don’t eat loads of carbs and I avoid heavily processed, nutrient depleted carbs wherever possible, but wholegrains, pulses and more have heaps of health benefits.

In the summer, though, a heavy plate of wholemeal pasta or brown rice doesn’t have the same appeal as on a cold winter’s evening.

When the weather heats up I like to get my carbs and fibre from loads of the abundant veg that summer brings – vegetables are a great source of carbs as well as vitamins and other nutrients. Here are my favourite veg-swaps for summer…

Cauliflower rice
Photo credit: @ambitiouskitchen

A veg packed Thai curry can be light enough for summer but a filling meal too. If a plate of brown rice is too much alongside though, try cauliflower rice. Simply grate fresh cauliflower and steam for a few minutes on the hob or microwave, ready to soak up the sauce of your curry or whatever else you fancy. I keep a bag of grated cauliflower in the freezer, ready to go in minutes.  We love the sound of this cashew ginger stir fry with coconut cauliflower rice from @ambitiouskitchen.

Courgette spaghetti
Photo credit: @alexskitchenstory

Spiralised veg is all the rage – but many fads come and go. For me, though, this is one that’s here to stay. When the summer courgette glut hits they are a great, light alternative to pasta. If you don’t have a spiralizer to make those appealing twirls you can try a sharp knife or mandolin… but a decent spiralizer makes it temptingly easy. And you can use it to make your salads more special too. @alexskitchenstory has a great recipe for courgetti, paired with chicken, halloumi and pesto.

Aubergine lasagne

Whilst we are on the subject of pasta swaps, I love aubergine. A great hearty veg, already popular as a stand-in for meat, it also works well as a substitute for pasta sheets in lasagne. Not as quick and easy as other dishes, but makes a good filling meal and comes packed full of a wide range of nutrients and anti-oxidants.  Delish.com have a great version over on their website.

Lettuce wraps
Photo credit: @forkinthekitchen

For a light lunch or quick snack, replace a tortilla wrap with a large lettuce leaf such as Romaine or Cos varieties and pack with whatever filling you fancy. I prefer this crispier version to a soggy corn or wheat flour wrap any day!  @Forkinthekitchen has a mouth-watering recipe for spicy teriyaki cauliflower lettuce wraps.

Kale crisps
Photo credit: @eathappyfeelgood

Another popular trick that has made it on to my keep list. Rip up a few kale leaves, sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper or a dusting of paprika and spread on a baking tray. Cook in a hot oven for just a few minutes (watch carefully to avoid burning) and you have a great substitute for potato crisps. Works well with parsnips, carrots and similar starchy veg too – and you can make it less oily and salty than many of the shop-bought versions. @eathappyfeelgood has some great tips.

Mushroom burgers
Photo credit: Ruled.me

Like aubergines, mushrooms give great body and flavour to veggie dishes – and mushroom based, meat-free burgers are well known. But what if you love a fresh beef burger but don’t want the stodgy bun? A couple of portobello mushroom caps can serve just as well as bread substitutes. A touch of oil and grill or roast for a few minutes whilst you cook your beef, and you have your quarter pounder with ease. Accompany with parsnip crisps or sweet potato fries plus a crisp side-salad for a veg-tastic meal!  Check out these delicious looking Guilt-Free Portobello Bun Burgers from Ruled.me.

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

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