Traveling is an excellent way to explore the world, spend time with family and friends, and experience new places and cultures. Travelling can also quickly become a time of mindless overindulgence and a fast track to unhealthy habits. If you have health goals and do not want your next trip to get in the way of those, here are our best tips and tricks to staying healthy while travelling!
Sleep
If you are travelling across time zones, a lack of sleep can quickly take its toll on you. Lack of sleep usually leads to unconscious eating habits and the added stress of your body not being able to take advantage of a good night’s sleep can mean you pack on pounds very easily.
When travelling to new time zones do your best to sleep when the sun goes down in that new place. If that means having a few extra coffees to stay awake and make it to sundown, then go for it. The body’s natural sleep cycles are driven by the sun, and so if you fall asleep when it is dark and wake up the next time that it is light, you will have a great, deep sleep and you should adjust more quickly.
Travelling somewhere that doesn’t have a clear sunset or sunrise (far north in Canadian summers, and far south in Canadian winters)? Make sure you have melatonin and a really good eye mask. Check your accommodations beforehand to make sure they have black out blinds and pick a time to fall asleep that will give you 7-9 hours of restful sleep.
Walk as much as possible
Walking may not be the biggest calorie burner in the world, but the more you walk the better. This is also a great way to see the city you are travelling to and really take in all of the sights and sounds giving you a richer travel experience.
Speaking of which, walking most places gives you the added benefit of saving money on transportation!
Stay Hydrated
It is so easy to get caught up in the experience of travel and completely forget to drink water. Dehydration can quickly lead to nausea, lack of energy, mental fogginess, and may even make you more inclined to eat when you are not hungry. This is because the brain begins to misinterpret body signals when it is dehydrated. So you may be interpreting simple dehydration for hunger.
Go Prepared with a Quick Bodyweight Workout
When travelling there isn’t always the option of a well-equipped gym. If you don’t want to miss a workout then go prepared with a quick workout that you can do wherever you are. Here’s a sample workout routine that you can do anywhere!
Circuit 1:
Bodyweight push-ups: 30s
Suitcase Bicep Curls (empty or full suitcase – you decide): 30s
Plank: 30s-1m
Repeat 2-4x, or set a timer for as long as you want and finish as many rounds as you can
Circuit 2:
Squat or Jump Squat: 20s
Reverse Lunges: 20s
Glute Kickbacks: 20s
Side Planks: 20s each
Repeat 2-4x, or set a timer for as long as you want and finish as many rounds as you can
You can add or replace any of these exercises depending on your range of motion, equipment available, and time.
Travelling is truly a special experience that we can all benefit from and now with these tips and tricks you can have a happy and healthy holiday!
