Staying healthy on the road doesn’t have to be hard! Here are 10 easy tips to keep you staying healthy and fit while traveling.
1. Pre-Plan Your Trip
How does pre-planning help you stay healthy you ask? Pre-planning helps to reduce stress with the not-so-fun part of travel like managing a budget, arranging transportation, and sorting out logistics.
These nuances are an inevitable part of traveling but need to be addressed and, when done right, can lead to a relaxing vacation! When stress starts to play a role in any aspect of life our immune system can be lowered and mental health can be affected. So, all this to say, stay on top of the planning!!!
2. Make Your Own Meals
Going out for every meal can be very tempting and if you aren’t a master chef (hello, easy mac!), cooking isn’t something you look forward to. However, taking care of our bodies and monitoring what we put in them can drastically improve our health. So grab your reusable bags and hit the produce aisle!
3. Pack Healthy Snacks
Having the proper fuel on-hand while on the road can seriously make all the difference and keep the hunger pains away! There is nothing worse than needing something to eat in the middle of a 5-mile hike.
Packing healthy snacks such as an apple, banana, granola bar, or trail mix will provide you with the energy to sustain yourself through longer activities. Also, having an array of good snacks around you will keep you from running to the convenient fast foods that are tempting to give in to!
4. Drink Lots of Water
Hydration is essential to maintaining a clear mind and body! In new climates and temperatures, we need to consume more water in order to compensate for the recent environmental changes. Drinking water also keeps our skin looking healthy and fresh!
I make sure to have a full water bottle around me whenever possible as a reminder to drink up! This water bottle is one of my favorites. It’s BPA-free, keeps hot water hot and cold water cold, as well as holds up to 32 oz!
5. Walk It Out
Lounging might be arguably the best part of any vacation, especially if you are in a tropical destination! Make sure to take some time to get your steps in by walking to your next adventure. Skip the shuttle or Uber and plan out a route to take in some fresh air.
Getting movement and stretching the muscles helps our body maintain good posture and proper body mechanics. You may see even see a different side of your destination you wouldn’t have seen before if you had not taken the scenic route!
6. Wash Hands Frequently
This may sound like a no-brainer but part of staying healthy involves frequent hand-washing. Being in new places with new people means coming into contact with lots of germs!
One way to protect ourselves is establishing a good hand-washing routine and utilizing lots of hand sanitizer. I keep one of these mini bottles in every purse, pocket, and backpack I have just to ensure I am never without it!
7. Develop a Skincare Routine
Protecting our skin from the elements like the sun is crucial. Sun damage from prolonged sun exposure can sometimes lead to cancer. An easy way to prevent that is by using sunblock! I use a moisturizer with SPF in it so that I’m taking care of 2 routines at once.
Drug store brands make really affordable moisturizers with SPF like this one that I recommend. At night, applying a night cream will keep our skin feeling soft and hydrated throughout our sleep. There really is nothing worse than waking up with dry skin! Research the weather before leaving and pack according to the climate. Drier weather means more moisturizer!
8. Take Breaks
Constantly being on-the-go without regard to slowing down can cause fatigue and stress. Allocate at least an hour each day to regroup, rest, eat or meditate. Taking time for yourself is a form of self-care, and self-care is important to staying healthy. While out on a hike, try to find a rest spot to catch your breath and take in the scenery!
9. Get Your Rest
A good night’s sleep is invaluable. Being well-rested is going to keep you safe and alert on the road. In addition, your body will be given the rest it needs after a long day of fun activities. Running yourself down from a lack of sleep can lower your immune system and leave you susceptible to getting sick. Make sure to get to bed early if you are an early riser or, if you’re a night owl like me, give yourself time to sleep in!
10. Relax & Have Fun!
Part of a balanced lifestyle is carving out time to have some FUN! All work and no play doesn’t help anyone. So, schedule that massage or sunset cruise! Travel is meant to be enjoyed, so remember why you decided to take the trip in the first place. Journaling can be a great way of documenting your journey and writing down any feelings you may be going through. Follow all these steps to have a safe and healthy trip! Happy Travels!
Bonus: Have an Accountability Buddy
Staying motivated can be tough especially when you are sleep-deprived, hungry, or not in the mood! Having an accountability buddy to keep you on track to stay healthy on the road will lessen your chances of giving in to temptations. Start a daily routine checklist as a reminder to do the tasks needed for your well-being while on vacation.
What are some tips you would recommend to stay healthy on the road?
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