Traveling is meant to be a relaxing experience where you can explore new places, meet new people, and try new foods.
Whether you’re jetting off to Europe or getting back to nature in Kangaroo Island luxury accommodation, you’re bound to have a great time.
But as fun as traveling is, it takes you out of your routine, and that has the potential to make eating well and staying active more difficult.
With new food and drinks to try and lazy days by the pool to be enjoyed, how can you stick to a healthy routine?
How to Stay Healthy While Travelling
The good news is that you can enjoy your vacation while still prioritizing your health. In fact, making healthy choices (for the most part, at least!) may even enhance your time away by giving you more energy and keeping you in a good mood. So how can we make those healthy choices while still having a good time?
1. Pack Your Workout Gear
A great vacation starts at home. Before you leave, make sure to pack not only everything you need to have a good time, but also to have a healthy one.
No matter the kind of trip you have planned, whether it’s an active adventure, a stay at an eco-friendly retreat, or a cocktails by the pool vacation, pack your workout gear. This way, you can stick to your exercise routine as regularly as possible. That workout may be walking around a nature reserve or putting in half an hour at the hotel gym, but in any case, planning ahead means you’re one step closer to keeping active while on vacation.
2. Plan Your Meals
You don’t need to plan out every ounce and track your macros for every meal, but like with planning ahead with your attire, planning ahead with your meals can go a long way. Research the cafes and restaurants in the area (or areas) you’ll be staying, and look at their menus to get an idea of the places you’d like to eat.
This doesn’t mean you can’t try new cuisine, not by any means! Feel free to try new foods if that’s one of your goals, or you can stick to what you know if that’s what you’re comfortable with. As long as you aim for a balance of different foods, you can still treat yourself. If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, you also have the option of buying and cooking your own meals some days, just like you would at home.
And whatever your dinner plans, you can also keep portable, healthy snacks on hand like nuts, fruit, and protein bars. It’s easy to forget to eat while you’re away from home and having a good time, but not eating for long periods may make you more likely to overeat at your next meal. You don’t need to set an alarm to remind yourself to eat, but if and when hunger strikes and there’s no open cafes nearby, a protein bar for a quick snack can make all the difference.
3. Make Movement Part of the Experience
Wherever you go, you’ll be away from home, which means there are new places to discover. Whether that’s a new city in a country you haven’t been to before, a small town on a weekend road trip, or a trip to a private wildlife sanctuary, you’re there to experience it all!
One of the best ways to explore a new place is by mapping it out on foot. Put on your hiking boots and hit the trail, or swap your heels for sneakers and explore the city like a local. By walking from one location to another, you can easily get in thousands of steps without even realizing!
If your trip isn’t walking-friendly, there are still many ways to stay active. Take active excursions like going on hikes, swimming, yoga, or taking up a new activity like kayaking. You’ll enjoy yourself while burning a lot of calories, and you might not even see it as exercise since you’ll be having so much fun! Just remember to take a water bottle and keep hydrated (and that goes for your whole trip, not just while actively exercising).
4. Rest Up
It can be easy to overdo it when there’s so much to do and see in what may be a short trip. But don’t cram in too many activities that you don’t get your rest! Sleep is such an important part of staying healthy, so don’t underestimate it.
With that being said, it can be difficult if you’re in a new time zone and your body needs to adjust. Many travelers aim to reset their body clocks by spending time outdoors when they first arrive in their new destination, as this may help adjust the circadian rhythm. You can also avoid long naps (even if that’s what you want to do the most!), as this often makes jet lag worse. If you’re susceptible to jet lag, it may take a couple of days to adjust, but be patient with yourself.
And while sleep is key, it isn’t the only way to rest. Downtime, whether that’s by doing yoga, waking up slowly and having a cup of tea, or sitting quietly with a book and without any screens, is also crucial.
Travel Well to Live Well
Traveling is a great way to have new experiences and make great memories, but they don’t have to come at the expense of your health. It’s possible to travel and prioritize your health, and to have a great time while doing it! By planning certain aspects of your trip (while still leaving room for wandering) and making some small adjustments to ensure you sleep well, you can enjoy your vacation in a healthy and fun way.
