Traveling can be a thrilling adventure, filled with new experiences and delightful discoveries. But for those of us who strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle, hitting the road can also bring a sense of anxiety. The worry of derailing your fitness routine, giving in to tempting treats, and missing out on those precious gym sessions can cloud your excitement. Trust me; I’ve been there.
As someone who’s always aimed to lead a healthy life, I’ve had my fair share of struggles when it comes to staying on track while traveling. The reality is, it’s not always easy. So, if you’re like me, and you don’t have the metabolism of a cheetah or a personal chef following you around, this blog is for you.
Let me take you back to a time when I embarked on a month-long backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. The allure of street food stalls, exotic desserts, and endless happy hours was almost irresistible. It’s tough to resist when you’re staring down the delicious smells of freshly grilled skewers or creamy coconut curries. I knew that completely avoiding these culinary delights was unrealistic. But, I also knew that going all out every day would leave me feeling sluggish and guilty.
So, what’s the solution? How can you strike that delicate balance between savoring new cuisines and maintaining your health goals? In the upcoming posts, we’ll dive into practical tips and real-life strategies that don’t require superhuman discipline or an extraordinary IQ. These are the strategies that helped me survive that Southeast Asian food frenzy and many more travel adventures since.
No need for daydreaming; I’ve got your back. Let’s get started on the journey to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while travelling, one realistic step at a time.
How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle While Travelling
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is an important step toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling. By doing some research before your trip, you can save yourself from the stress and uncertainty of trying to find healthy options on the fly. Start by researching the area you will be visiting and looking up restaurants and grocery stores nearby that offer healthier options.
Check the menus of local restaurants ahead of time and look for options that are lower in calories, fat, and sodium, and higher in fiber and protein. Additionally, consider bringing a reusable water bottle with you and filling it up throughout the day. This will help you stay hydrated and avoid the temptation of sugary beverages.
If you’re staying in a hotel, research if there’s a fitness center or gym on-site. Alternatively, consider packing some lightweight workout equipment like resistance bands or a jump rope. You can also check if there are any parks or trails nearby where you can go for a walk or jog. This can help you stay active and maintain your exercise routine while traveling.
Finally, when planning your itinerary, try to incorporate activities that are both fun and physically engaging. Consider taking a bike tour or hike to explore the city or nature. This will help you stay active while also enjoying the sights and sounds of your destination.
Pack Healthy Snacks
When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling, packing healthy snacks can be a game-changer. Not only does it save you from the temptation of unhealthy snacking options, but it also helps you stay fuelled and energized throughout the day.
When packing snacks, consider options that are nutrient-dense and easy to transport. Fresh fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges are great options as they are portable, easy to eat, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts are another great choice as they are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. You can also pack some pre-cut vegetables like carrots, celery, or peppers, which can be eaten raw or with a healthy dip like hummus.
If you’re looking for something more filling, protein bars are a convenient and nutritious option. Look for bars that are low in sugar and high in fiber and protein. This will help keep you feeling full and satisfied while avoiding the blood sugar crashes that often come with sugary snacks.
Another tip is to pack snacks in portion-controlled containers. This can help prevent overeating and make it easier to track your calorie intake while traveling. Additionally, consider bringing a reusable water bottle with you and filling it up throughout the day. This will help you stay hydrated and avoid the temptation of sugary beverages.
By choosing nutrient-dense options that are easy to transport, you can stay fuelled and energized while avoiding unhealthy snacking options that are often readily available while on the go.
Stay Hydrated
In addition to planning ahead and packing healthy snacks, staying hydrated is another important aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling. When you are traveling, your body can easily become dehydrated due to the change in environment, lack of access to water, and the body’s increased need for hydration when on the move.
By bringing a reusable water bottle with you and drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you can avoid dehydration, keep your body functioning properly, and help prevent overeating.
This will help ensure that you have access to clean, safe drinking water throughout the day. If you are traveling to a location where tap water is not safe to drink, consider packing water purification tablets or a portable water filter to ensure that you have access to safe drinking water at all times.
Drinking plenty of water has several health benefits when traveling. It helps to flush out toxins from the body, keeps your skin looking healthy, and can even help you feel full, preventing overeating. When you are well-hydrated, your body is better equipped to regulate your metabolism, which can help you maintain a healthy weight.
To make sure you are getting enough water throughout the day, try to drink a glass of water with every meal and snack. You can also set reminders on your phone to prompt you to drink water throughout the day. Additionally, try to avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages, which can dehydrate you and lead to headaches and fatigue.
Stay Active
While traveling, it’s important to maintain an active lifestyle to help keep your body and mind healthy. Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine can help you stay energized, reduce stress, and even improve your sleep quality. However, with the change in environment and schedule, it can be easy to fall out of your exercise routine.
To stay active while traveling, look for opportunities to walk or bike instead of driving or taking public transportation. Exploring the city on foot can not only be a great way to get some exercise, but it can also help you discover hidden gems that you might have otherwise missed. If you prefer more structured exercise, consider packing a resistance band or a small set of dumbbells that can easily fit into your luggage. You can use these to do a quick strength-training workout in your hotel room.
Many hotels offer fitness centers that guests can use for free or for a small fee. Check with your hotel to see if they have a gym or fitness center and take advantage of it during your stay. You could also book a hotel that offers fitness classes like yoga, Pilates, or spinning.
If you prefer a more low-key workout, you can also pack a yoga mat and do some stretches or yoga poses in your hotel room. Practicing yoga can help you relax and stretch your muscles after a long day of traveling. There are also many yoga and fitness apps available that you can use to guide you through a workout in the comfort of your own room.
Prioritize Your Sleep
While it can be tempting to stay up late and explore all that a new city has to offer, prioritizing sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling. In fact, lack of sleep can not only leave you feeling tired and irritable but can also weaken your immune system and increase your risk of illness.
To ensure you get enough rest while on the go, try to stick to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible, even if it means adjusting to a new time zone. This will help regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and make it easier for you to fall asleep and wake up at the right times. You can also consider using a sleep aid such as earplugs, an eye mask, or white noise to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.
Creating a relaxing bedtime routine can also help you unwind and prepare for a good night’s sleep. This could include taking a warm bath, reading a book, or practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants before bed can also help promote better sleep.
Finally, try to create a sleep-conducive environment in your accommodations. This may include adjusting the temperature, using blackout curtains or blinds to block out light, and ensuring your bedding is comfortable and supportive.
By prioritizing sleep while traveling, you’ll not only feel more rested and energized but also better equipped to enjoy all the exciting experiences and adventures that come with exploring a new destination.
Final Thoughts – Can You Stay Healthy While Travelling?
While it’s important to maintain a relatively healthy lifestyle while traveling abroad, it’s also important to remember that holidays are supposed to be fun. Your health or your diet isn’t going to be ruined by what you do or don’t do for one week out of the year – what you do the other 51 weeks of the year will matter a lot more. So, remember to actually take time to enjoy yourself and relax. After all, feeling relaxed has its own health benefits!
