The comforts of home and a routine around healthy food, exercise, and sleep makes staying healthy quite easy for me. But when it comes to changing my environment and routine for vacation travel, I must admit I get a bit panicked. When on vacation I want to feel my best in order to enjoy the experiences that present themselves, and for me that means sticking to good nutrition, activity and sleep schedules.
There are many details to think about when getting ready for vacation travel; what to pack, stopping the mail, who will water the plants and take care of the pets while away, and even more to think about when going out of the country such as money exchange, electrical adaptors, travel documents, itinerary, tour books, maps, etc. But I add one more, and that is to make a healthy living plan for the new environment. The thought of feeling tired, sluggish, or overstuffed on vacation motivates me to do so. My adjusted plan takes advantage of many things the new environment has to offer.
No deprivation here with buckwheat (naturally gluten freen) crepes in Paris.
You might think that breaking out of the routine is part of the fun of a vacation. It’s true, we all want to loosen up on vacation and have fun, but at what cost?
Here are a few things that have worked for me.
What helps you stay healthy when on vacation?
There are many details to think about when getting ready for vacation travel; what to pack, stopping the mail, who will water the plants and take care of the pets while away, and even more to think about when going out of the country such as money exchange, electrical adaptors, travel documents, itinerary, tour books, maps, etc. But I add one more, and that is to make a healthy living plan for the new environment. The thought of feeling tired, sluggish, or overstuffed on vacation motivates me to do so. My adjusted plan takes advantage of many things the new environment has to offer.
No deprivation here with buckwheat (naturally gluten freen) crepes in Paris.
You might think that breaking out of the routine is part of the fun of a vacation. It’s true, we all want to loosen up on vacation and have fun, but at what cost?
Here are a few things that have worked for me.
- If you are traveling by car and staying in a hotel, bring a cooler packed with snacks such as cut up fresh fruit, vegetables with hummus dip, and water or cold herbal tea. This prevents me from getting too hungry and stopping for fast food.
- Carry a small supply of nuts in the car, purse, or backpack to help keep you from getting too hungry in between meals. Again, you don’t want to be with me if I am too hungry.
- If you are flying, call ahead and ask for a healthy meal on the airplane. (You’ll be served first too!) Many resorts and cruise ships accommodate healthy meals, so call ahead and inquire. When traveling recently I asked for gluten and dairy free and was pleasantly surprised by my lentil tiki masala dinner.
- Choose water when flying for better hydration.
- Travel away can provide unlimited opportunities for more activity. Before you travel, find out if there is a fitness center in the hotel, or swimming pools, walking trails, yoga classes, and what else is nearby for more activity. Personally, I don’t want to go to a fitness center on vacation and opt for walking outside in the morning, or touring during the day.
- Rent bicycles for sight seeing, or check out local nature centers for kayak tours.
- If you are on a tour bus, you might walk back to the hotel from your destination one day (taking distance and safety into consideration of course) rather than taking the bus back with the group.
- When in restaurants, use the same healthy strategies you use when home, but take advantage of the local food or specialty from that region or country in which you are visiting. Don’t miss it, just have a small portion, or share it with your travel partners.
- Try to stick to your usual eight hours of sleep for optimal stamina for all of the adventures you seek during the day (and night). The sleep (and good nutrition) will help keep your immune system strong to fight off any travel germs.
- When you return home, schedule in the time you need to restock the refrigerator with fresh produce to get you right back on your healthy routine.
What helps you stay healthy when on vacation?