Nourish - Holiday Wellness: Maintaining Healthy Habits Even While Traveling
Now that summer has arrived, many of us will be embarking on exciting holidays to unwind and explore new destinations. Holidays are also a time to relax and indulge, try new foods, and make new memories. That being said, it’s still important to prioritize our well-being and maintain healthy habits, even while traveling. That’s where this blog post comes in, Holiday Wellness: Maintaining Healthy Habits Even While Traveling.
By incorporating these simple yet effective strategies, we can still maintain a healthy routine, make mindful food choices, and prioritize self-care.
Let’s dive into some valuable tips and advice to help you stay healthy while traveling this summer. By incorporating these practices, you can return from your trip feeling refreshed and energised!
Holiday Wellness: Maintaining Healthy Habits Even While Traveling
No. 1 – Plan Ahead for Healthy Choices
Before embarking on your holiday, take a few moments to plan ahead. Research the destination’s local cuisine and identify restaurants or eateries that offer healthy options.
Opt for balanced meals that include a mix of lean proteins, whole grains, heatlhy fats and colourful fruits and vegetables.
If you can find some fermented goodies, you get bonus points! Kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, coconut kefir, and yogurt specific to the area. Fermented veggies are also a great one. Alas, I’m afraid I don’t include beer and wine in the list of fermented goodies *wink*
Look for places that emphasize fresh ingredients, locally sourced produce, and lighter meal alternatives. Having a list of healthy dining options will make it easier to make mindful food choices while on your trip.
I know, I know. This may sound boring to some of you, but it certainly beats arriving at your destination, hungry, tired and let’s face it, potentially hangry at that point, and you don’t know where to eat. Add decision-making on top of that and it doesn’t look good for healthy choices!
Personally, I find it exciting, to research a bunch of food eateries and get excited about the food I will soon be trying out!
Don’t forget to pay attention to portion sizes, savour each and every bite, and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Just because you’re on holiday, doesn’t mean you need to give yourself indigestion every night..!
(FYI, if you do overindulge, Obbekjaers Oil Of Peppermint Capsules are just the friend to call on when in need!)
No. 2 – Pack Healthy Snacks
One of the challenges while traveling is finding nutritious snacks, especially during long flights or road trips. To avoid relying on unhealthy processed snacks, pack your own. When it comes to Maintaining Healthy Habits, this one is key.
Fill your bag with nuts, seeds, dried and fresh fruits, granola bars, or homemade trail mix. These options will keep you satiated and provide essential nutrients throughout your journey.
If you’re on the road or staying somewhere with cooking facilities and they have a fridge, bonus! I’m a big fan of bringing a cool bag with me and packing a salad, sandwich, fruit and snacks like these cacao balls.
Then my food isn’t all melted and warm and I don’t need to worry about it going off too fast.
Once again, if you’re somewhere that has a supermarket, local shop, market or even a health shop, research your options and pop in to grab some healthy snacks there.
Maybe you can try some local foods you’ve never tried before!
Here are some snacks you may consider bringing along:
- Deliciously Ella Apple, Raisin & Cinnamon Oat Bars Multipack
- Nairn’s Fruit & Seed Oatcakes
- Clearspring Organic Seaveg Crispies Chilli Multipack
- Deliciously Ella Chocolate Orange Dipped Almonds
- Nakd Bars Nakd Salted Caramel Bar
- Nuts, Seeds and Fruit
No. 3 – Stay Hydrated
Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for your overall well-being, particularly during travel. Try the following tips:
- Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it regularly throughout the day. This helps reduce plastic waste while ensuring you have access to clean drinking water.
- Drink water before, during, and after physical activities or when spending time in the sun to prevent dehydration.
- Limit excessive alcohol consumption, as it can dehydrate the body. Instead, opt for refreshing alternatives like infused water, herbal tea, or mocktails.
- Remember, the hot weather or long flights can lead to dehydration, so aim to drink water before you feel thirsty. If you’re visiting a destination with limited access to clean drinking water, consider packing a portable water filter.
I wrote a whole blog post on staying hydrated here if you fancy a read.
No. 4 – Prioritise Sleep
Adequate rest is crucial for rejuvenation and maintaining optimal health.
For fear of sounding like a nagging parent, I highly advise prioritising sleep. I know… I’m sounding boring again! But hear me out. It may seem like a very boring adult thing to do, but amidst the excitement of exploring new places, it’s essential not to overlook the importance of sleep.
What it really means is that you’ll have more energy and enthusiasm to do all the fun things throughout the day. You’ll certainly enjoy it a lot more when you’re not half asleep and wishing for a pick me up and bed at 2pm!
Equally, being overly tired will very likely cause havoc when it comes to healthy eating. Bad food decisions often arise from the sheer lack of energy to make something healthy, walk to the restaurant, or even to simply choose the healthier option on the menu.
Try following these tips to prioritise sleep while traveling:
- Stick to a consistent sleep schedule as much as possible. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day really helps to improve your REM sleep.
- This also goes for changing time zones.
If you are adjusting to a new time zone, try really hard to stay awake until it’s the evening. The temptation to fall asleep is strong, but waking up at 2am wide awake isn’t worth it! - Practice good sleep hygiene by avoiding screens before bed and establishing a relaxing pre-sleep routine, such as reading or meditating.
Have a read over this blog for tips on meditation: Top Tips for Starting a Meditation Practice (Part One) - Create a sleep-friendly environment. This could mean blocking out excess light with an eye mask, or using earplugs if it’s too loud.
- I’m also a fan of bringing lavender essential oil or pillow mist to make my bed feel more like my own. There’s always something very comforting about certain smells.
Quality sleep will help you stay energised, maintain a healthy immune system, and enhance your overall holiday experience.
Here’s a great blog post about sleep to help you out:
And that’s it for today’s blog post on Holiday Wellness: Maintaining Healthy Habits Even While Traveling.
While holidays are an opportunity to indulge and break away from routine, it’s essential to maintain a healthy balance. By planning ahead, making mindful food choices, maintaining a healthy routine, prioritising sleep and hydration, you can enjoy your summer holidays while still taking care of your well-being. Taking care of yourself really does enhance your travel experience and ensures you return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Safe travels and enjoy your vacation wellness journey!
Emily Nöth
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*Please note that while we are knowledgeable about our products and nutrition, this blog should never be a substitute for medical advice and attention.
Please remember that you should always obtain the all-clear from your doctor before starting any new supplement plan or diet if you’re on any medication
