Travel is both a luxury and a necessity. Being able to experience new cultures and cuisines, meet new people, and see even a small portion of the world can be transformational. It can also provide the space to relax, recharge, and revitalize the tired mind. However, time away from the usual routine can also lead to some poor habits, which may have the opposite effect on your health.
Avoiding such pitfalls is as easy as packing your bags, once you learn the art of clothing Tetris. To make the most of your precious vacation days, here are eight tips for better travel for your mental and physical health.
1. Make sure you’re traveling for the right reasons
There’s no doubt that traveling is an exciting time, but for many people, it can also be lonely, even if you’re traveling with others – it’s easy to miss home. Some people might travel to try and escape their problems, which is never a fix, and could end up heightening any anxiety you’re experiencing. Try to resolve those issues first and leave that baggage at home.
2. Stay calm and prepared to be as stress-free as possible
Travel can be stressful. From dealing with airport delays to juggling a packed itinerary, it can feel overwhelming from time to time. One of the best tips is to stay organized. Having all your details somewhere you can access easily will help, both digitally and in print, and it doesn’t hurt to confirm any reservations or travel plans in the days before you need them.
You’ll also have to accept that some things are out of your control. Be it road closures or bad weather, there will be times when you need to go with the flow and realize that it’s all part of the adventure.
3. Maintain sleep hygiene
Between changing time zones and a change of routine, sleep isn’t always easy when you’re away from home. Try to switch your usual sleep pattern to the current time zone, without napping midday, especially when you first arrive. If you can maintain a basic sleeping pattern while traveling, you should have the energy you need to enjoy your days. Aim for eight hours to help you avoid lagging behind and missing out on the fun.
4. Protect your back, pack lightly
Packing too much can lead to all sorts of problems, especially for your back. Where possible, pack lightly to save you from lugging around heavy suitcases from one day to the next. Try to take advantage of luggage storage, especially in big cities. Finding luggage storage in Rome or elsewhere will easily help you explore the city, allowing you to make the most of it on foot.
5. Walk as much as you can
The best way to explore new places is on foot. Make sure you pack some decent walking shoes and walk as much as you can. Walking will keep you healthy and active while enjoying some time outdoors. It could also be a great way to discover some hidden gems you may not have come across if you were on a bus or in a car. To stay energized and hydrated during long walks, consider bringing Sodii electrolytes which can help replenish lost minerals and keep you feeling refreshed throughout your adventures.
6. Keep in touch with friends and family
Travel can be very much a case of Instagram versus Reality. Only the best, most beautiful parts of each adventure get shared, but that doesn’t mean it’s all perfect out there. If your mood becomes low or you’re homesick, reach out to friends and family. You don’t have to feel alone thanks to instant messaging and abundant WiFi, so confide in those who care about you to help you keep on track.
7. Try to eat well where you can
As a person who often travels for food and wants to try EVERYTHING, eating healthily can pose a challenge, to say the least. Take the opportunity to indulge, but don’t forget to find some reasonable balance. Try to pick dishes packed with fruits and vegetables to help you get your nutrients, bring healthy snacks to stave off cravings between meals, and don’t feel compelled to join the clean plate club. If you’re staying somewhere with access to a kitchen, take advantage of the local markets to cook fresh food from scratch.
8. Exercise on the fly
Exercise might be the last thing on your mind when traveling, but it’s highly beneficial to keep moving, even if only to stretch in the morning. It can help you maintain a routine, stay fit, and give you some energy. There are countless great ways to exercise while traveling, including hotel gyms and travel-friendly workouts. Don’t forget to pack workout clothes and work up a sweat!
Staying healthy while traveling is so important to help you enjoy it. Develop some good habits and keep focusing on your physical and mental health to help you make the most of your experiences.
Good tips, Hannah. I’d include exercising on the plane during a long flight. Often there’s a bit of space by the toilets where you can stand and stretch a bit and you can walk up and down the aisles when possible and not causing a problem. Even in your seat you can stretch a bit: bring your knees up towards your chest one at a time and roll your ankles in both directions, do some shoulder rolls, etc. When waiting for your flight, walk, rather than sit, as you’ll be doing plenty of that on the plane, and get in some stretches. Take an empty drink bottle, fill it in the airport, and stay hydrated.
If driving, which I do quite a lot. I shouldn’t give advice, because I tend to stop only for gas and bathroom breaks, preferably at the same stop. 😉. But I do stretch while filling the gas tank and while driving, I have stretches I can safely do, which really help.
I feel like you could have written the whole post here! These are EXCELLENT tips and I’m personally grateful you would take the time to share. I’m absolutely trying those stretching ideas on my next flight in a few weeks!
Great tips for traveling, thanks! Exercise can be a challenge and eating well.
Agreed; I feel like exercising is challenging to fit in even when you’re not traveling.
Great tips Hannah for domestic travel! Especially with the customer service with the airlines, the best method is to go with the flow. With international travel, I would add a few more hints such as always making sure you have some cash in the current currency to the place you are visiting. Don’t expect your long distance mobile carrier package to work in a foreign destination. It is best to buy a pay as you go sims card from the location you are visiting. The list goes on and on…Safe travels to you!
This is such great wisdom to add! The tip about having cash ready is absolutely essential. Lots of places still don’t take cards, or there will be an added fee for processing. Happy travels to you too!