Prioritizing Wellness While Traveling

Vacations, or even work trips, are often an excuse to take a break from the routines we follow every other day of the year. While taking a break is important, an entire cheat week is unnecessary.

• Utilize hotel gyms – take a tour as soon as you check in so you can have an idea of the equipment provided. That way you won’t be disappointed if you have a plan and then open the door to three sets of weights and one elliptical.

• Use the days that you don’t have access to a gym to do bodyweight exercises or core work. Put a towel or yoga mat on the floor of hotels/hostels (using your best judgment, of course).

• Buy breakfast foods such as granola bars, fruit and muffins to keep in your hotel or car. This will save money and ensure more balanced meals.

• Bring a water bottle with a filter or purifying tablets; water from other countries has foreign bacteria that may make you sick.

“Travelers become ill simply because the pathogens in the water are foreign to their immune systems,” Smarter Travel, an expert travel tip website, says, “while locals have adapted to the water supply and can drink it without problems.”

• Walk instead of taking the bus/train. If you’re not going more than a few blocks, you might as well get your blood pumping. Take the stairs.

“Taking the opportunity to get extra steps in while traveling is always a good idea…get your body moving wherever possible” A Forbes article titled “How to Make Fitness and Health A Priority While Traveling” states.

• Make sure you stick to your vitamins and any habits your body is accustomed to such as morning stretches or nightly meditation.

• Keep yourself grounded; do your breathing exercises, keep your mind in the right place. Listen to what your body is telling you.

Don’t beat yourself up when you test the popular desserts or brewery for yourself or if your early reservation means you don’t have time to do a morning workout. One meal is not going to throw off your entire lifestyle.

Remember that you need a break physically as well as mentally.

• Most importantly: enjoy yourself.