We are in the middle of a beautiful summer, and has there ever been a better time to travel?
Where are you going to go and what are you going to see?
You have probably planned out these things all year or at least let them slip into your daydreams during a long day at the office. It is easy to be caught up in the excitement of your travel plans, but it is important to keep things in perspective.
You work hard all year to stay fit and ready so that you can enjoy your vacation. Eating right and all those trips to the gym have paid off, but maintaining your health while you are traveling is just as important.
With this in mind, we are sharing some tips on how to stay healthy while traveling so that you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
The fundamentals of staying healthy while traveling.
The fundamentals of healthy traveling when you are on the move aren't any different than what you have done all year at home. But, you will face a different set of challenges.
Sleep.
It all starts with getting enough sleep, and this may be the toughest part.
Many people struggle with sleep on vacation for a number of reasons such as difficulty getting used to a hotel bed or sleeping rough on a camping trip. However, you can take this into consideration with your scheduling.
If you know that you are going to take part in extensive nightlife, for example, schedule some time during the day for nap time. Also, keep in mind that there may be a certain amount of shock to the system if you are visiting someplace with a drastically different climate. If you aren't used to the heat try to spend the hottest parts of the day between 12-3 local time indoors.
If you schedule your most active outdoor activities in the early morning or afternoon as it is cooling down you will be able to have more time to get used to the environment of your vacation destination.
Be active in your tourism.
Exercising while you are on vacation is just as important as it is at home, but it doesn't mean that it has to be routine. Instead, it can just be part of the fun.
You have a lot of things to see and in the course of your sightseeing, you can get in your steps on a walking tour or even make getting there itself an activity. As tempting as it may be to just jump in a cab, renting a bicycle and cycling between two or three different locations will give you the opportunity to not only appreciate the venue or event but also explore the sights and sounds that lay between.
A long walk on the beach in the evening, a hike to a scenic overlook, or even roller skating across the park might be a great way to make getting from point a to point b just as fun as what you had planned in the first place.
Don't get carried away by the local cuisine.
Oh, the delicious and exotic food.
Be careful, though, because a moment on the lips will last a little longer on the hips.
Also, if you aren't accustomed to the local cuisine you may be at a slightly higher risk for foodborne illnesses. When you are on the move, it might serve you better to bring along your own snacks rather than hitting up the local food truck when hunger strikes. Meal replacement foods and bottled water are two essential pieces of a travel survival kit that you can't do without.
Quick, healthy fuel from a meal replacement beverage might be a time saver in the morning and keep you from being tempted into unhealthy between-meal snacks at the gift shop. It is easier than you think to let your diet slip while on vacation, but being prepared with a few healthy snacks in your fanny pack can give you an alternative fuel when temptation strikes.
Supplemental help on the move.
Travel can be tough on the body. Not only might it be difficult to acclimate, but you may be in an entirely new time zone and be suffering from jet lag as your circadian rhythms struggle to catch up.
It is natural to feel a little drowsy and out of it the first day, but there are some things you can do to mitigate this feeling of malaise. Melatonin is one essential supplement that fights jet lag by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone in your brain that regulates your internal clock.
Regular use of melatonin can treat a number of sleep problems such as insomnia, but taking it the first few days of your vacation will also let you get up and go so you can enjoy your trip from day one.
Equally important is keeping a supply of probiotics in your gut. Essential for healthy digestion, keeping up with your probiotic regimen will help fight that indigestion that you are bound to get from that spicy food at dinner.
Moral of the story: Be prepared, pack smart & hit the ground running.
The summer is the best and busiest time to travel. Pack your bags with the right fuel to keep you happy, healthy, and strong so you don’t miss a beat. Meal replacements can be a great way to keep you chugging strong through heavy days and sleep is the end all be all of restoration. Balance your trip with equal parts fun and rest so you can take in the beautiful new scenery around you and come back to reality with ease. Stock up on the best travel foods by clicking below.
