8 Tips To Stay Healthy While Travelling
Travelling can be therapeutic, but as anyone who’s caught the wanderlust bug on a quest for new experiences will tell you, it’s not always glamorous. From bumps and contusions to anxieties, there are many issues to contend with as a traveller, particularly while venturing off-the-beaten-path on your grand adventures.
I have to admit that I have often felt daunted and overcome by the thought of leaving life’s comforts at home to face the not-particularly-alluring aspects of my adventures. But through trial and error, I’ve compiled these 8 tips to stay healthy while travelling to ensure that your body, mind and spirit are functioning optimally to keep your wellness on track when you’re on the road.
- Give Yourself a Well-earned Treat
Part of what makes travel so incredible is its ability to help us experience other cultures first-hand. It breaks misconceptions and creates a sense of belonging to a global world. I have found such experiences life-transforming and I have thus developed a healthier view of the world.
I personally take travelling as the moment to enrich my soul, discover myself and promote self-love. Seriously, what is the purpose of going on an adventure if you are not going to take advantage of this moment to live your life to the fullest! And yes, love yourself a little by rewarding your psyche with a well-earned treat {gourmet meal or a full-body massage} after a hard day’s adventuring.
- Take a Digital Detox
If like me, you have travelled to the less developed parts of the world, you may have realised that the happiest people are those with a lot fewer possessions than us lucky travellers. Stepping away from your cell phone/iPad/laptop or any other gadgets you use that crowd our lives is the best route, in my opinion, to recharge your mind and soul.
No matter where you are, spend time with Mother Nature and enjoy the goodness that she has to offer. Re-energise the mental, physical and spiritual you. Go for walks, biking or jogs at the park ~ refresh your skin, lungs, heart, and emotions with as much fresh air as possible. Take advantage of the sandy beaches, enjoy the early morning sun or a gorgeous sunset… Experience the beauty of the natural world no matter where you are visiting.
- Take Advantage of Travel Yoga
When it comes to attaining perfect harmony of your mind, body, and soul, there’s perhaps nothing that works quite as well as yoga. Yoga not only enhances blood and oxygen circulation in your body, but it also creates bonding moments for travellers when undertaken as a group activity.
I personally keep healthy while travelling, and ease anxiety through the practice of yoga. I find that physical and emotional burnout is replaced by a calmer, more focused attitude. I also find it particularly helpful as it enhances my sleep quality and leaves me more restful. And as all of you may already know, a positive mindset is a sure antecedent for enjoyment during your journey.
- Maintain Some Form of Routine
In as much as travelling introduces freedom to be spontaneous and do things differently, this impulsiveness can hit back at you. I personally like to plan ahead, factoring in the unexpected that can arise at any given point in my travels. This helps me maintain a sense of routine throughout my journey.
Since your body is conditioned to doing things in a certain way and at a particular time, if you mess up your sleeping or eating pattern, for example, it will affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and can make you unavailable for the fun and adventure that you were looking forward to.
- Pace yourself
Whether you are travelling for business or on a one-week family holiday, take some time out of your busy schedule to have ‘me’ moments. Instead of filling every minute with activities, plan your day in such a way that you leave some room for spontaneous adventure. There’s something about the open road that triggers feel-good emotions that lends itself to soul edifying and self-discovery. I embrace the myriad opportunities for self-love that present themselves in the course of my travels because part of keeping your spirit healthy is learning to love yourself.
- Embrace Healthy Eating While Travelling
We are what we eat ~ you agree? While it may not always be possible to get proper nutrition, try as much as possible to choose healthier options over junk food. This can take some discipline, but know this ~ junk food has a tendency to slow digestion and leaves your body feeling lethargic. Combine this with climate change and fatigue that comes with long travel and you have yourself a recipe for disaster.
Try to ensure that eating well for proper body functioning is your rule, rather than the exception.
- Take Advantage of Opportunities That Combine Exercise and Exploration
One of the most rewarding and, of course, my favourite way to stay healthy when travelling is combining workouts with sightseeing. I find this combo not only fun but also helpful in achieving my health goals. Realising that a large number of cities around the world offer dynamic expeditions, I choose activities that not only exposes me to scenic sites but also gives me an opportunity to get active.
You can adopt a ‘learn, have fun and keep fit’ approach to your activities; anything from mountaineering, or biking, and walking tours would fit in this cluster.
- Guard Your Essentials
It is important to appreciate that as a traveller you will encounter challenges on your journey. While I can be flexible and do away with everything else, I have three things that I consider must-haves: restful sleep, vegetables in my meal plans, and some form of exercise every few days. Prepare your list of bare minimums that you know can easily affect the quality of your trip, and make every effort to ensure that these are met.
Keeping healthy while travelling should be a top priority for you. These 8 tips to stay healthy while travelling will ensure that you stay productive and revitalised on your travels.
Do let me know if you enjoyed this post. And, of course, I am always open to suggestions and queries.