Six Tips for Healthy Travel

SIX TIPS FOR HEALTHY TRAVEL
Holiday travel, vacation or work week desinations can certainly disrupt your usual routine. So how do you still maintain your healthy regimen when you’re miles away from home? It's absolutely possible with some intention setting and pre-planning.  You may be traveling but taking the time to take care of you is critical no matter where you are.  Here’s how to do it without it feeling like a chore.
 
Check out your hotel’s fitness options.  Most hotels have fitness centers or swimming pools. Find out what they offer before you book. Knowing the exercise options you have available will allow you to keep a fitness plan while you’re traveling. Should there be no fitness room of any kind, stream videos in your room or get some walking in as you explore the area you're visiting.
 
Learn about the food in your destination. Most places will have healthy eating options, though they might not be as robust a selection as you’re used to. Find out what kind of food is available in your hotel and nearby. Some hotels have kitchenettes where you can cook your own food, which is an excellent option for keeping your own healthy foods on hand for your meals.
 
Don’t just sit there. Long flights mean plenty of sitting, which affects your circulation. Get up and move about the cabin and do some stretching exercises while in your seat. Trapped in the airport from a delay? Get up and take a walk before returning to the gate. And! if you’re traveling internationally, moving about more will help you beat jet lag faster.  There's plenty to do and see in an airport, so have fun exploring while you take those extra steps.
 
Stay hydrated. Water is essential when you’re flying. It might mean more trips to the restroom, but without enough hydration, you may become dehydrated.  It's easy to slack off of water intake as you travel, but be extra mindful this year of staying hydrated along the way.
 
Adapt to the time zone. Even if you fly from one end of the country to the other, the time zones will play tricks on you. Eat all of your meals at the correct times by the time zone you’re in. If you’re not entirely hungry, eat a fiber-rich snack to help power you through your day.
 
Keep the right attitude. No matter where you are, even when your normal routine gets shaken up, always remember that a healthy and fit lifestyle isn’t just some short-term goal. It’s a way of life, and sometimes life has bumps in the road. Keeping that in mind will help make healthier choices easier.
 
Aim to enjoy yourself while you are away, balance smart decisions and small indulgences. Remember that small tweaks to your travel plans can show significant results. We often subscribe to the "all or nothing" mindset, but the sweet spot is right in the middle of all or nothing.  Remember, the holidays are about joy and wonder. Find yours within, and you’ll be able to spread more of it around. 
 
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Sara Wolfsen is a Certified Health & Lifestyle Coach who specializes in helping people make their own healthy changes by providing private health and lifestyle coaching, nutrition education and wellness classes with guidance and gentle support for lasting weight loss and building healthier habits.  Learn more online at www.sarawolfsen.com.
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