Six Rules For Staying Healthy While Traveling

Wanderlust Wednesday – Six Ways For Staying Healthy While Traveling

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. There’s nothing more exhilarating than getting to explore a new place, wander down unfamiliar streets, sample strange cuisines – it makes me feel alive. However, more often than I’d like, it also makes me feel sick. It’s easy to get run-down while traveling, which can leave us susceptible to colds and other nasty bugs that bring us down on our adventures.

Thankfully, with practice and research, I’ve come up with a list of rules for staying healthy while traveling. Want to stay healthy when you’re traveling? Follow these rules, and you’ll be all set for your next vacation:

1 – Get plenty of rest. It can be tempting to try to do everything on vacation. After all, you only have a short period of time to experience everything a place has to offer – and you usually don’t know when you’re coming back. However, it’s important to realize that as tempting as doing it all can be, it’s going to leave you worse off – and, in some cases, entirely out of commission. Make sure you’re getting six to eight hours of good sleep each night, even if that means skipping out on some of the nightlife or sleeping in a little longer than you’d like. I usually bring my Snooz to block out any noises and help me sleep.

2 – Take your vitamins. I follow a regular vitamin and supplement regimen at home to stay healthy and energized – why would I give that up on vacation? Instead, I pack my vitamins away and bring them with me, and you should, too. Set reminders on your mobile phone if you’re apt to forget. And always keep the important pills in your carry-on, just in case your luggage gets lost. I also like to do a shot of my holy grail cold-fighter, Samento, before I go on vacation to make sure my immune system is ready to fight whatever bugs I encounter on my trip.

3 – Always wear sunscreen. I spend a ton of time outdoors when I’m on vacation. If I’m in a city (which is MOST of the time!), I’m roaming the streets, soaking in the culture – and if I’m among nature, I’m out hiking, swimming or otherwise enjoying whatever fun there is to offer. The last thing you want to do on vacation is get stuck inside due to a nasty sunburn. Instead, cover up with layers and bring a broad spectrum SPF sunblock to apply every day before you leave your hotel room – and again, if necessary, in the afternoon. I’m partial to Emme Diane Tinted Mineral Sunscreen because it’s acne-safe, but I also like Supergoop, Cotz and Devita. More cruelty free acne-safe sunscreen reviews here!

4 – Explore by foot whenever you can. One of the best parts about going on vacation is getting to eat lots of delicious food. I definitely indulge when I’m traveling, but luckily, I’m not too worried about the impact on my waistline. Why? Because I try to walk everywhere I can. Experiencing a place by foot is a great way to really immerse yourself in the culture. Biking is another great option to burn calories while traveling between destinations.

5 – Stay hydrated. It’s important to make sure you’re drinking enough water on vacation, especially when you’re spending more time than usual outdoors and are in a different climate than you’re accustomed to. However, staying hydrated can seem easier said than done in some places like Europe, where water isn’t always offered freely with meals. To combat dehydration, I always stop by local grocery stores and purchase water by the liter and bring a personal water bottle to refill in my hotel room. I also bring Vega Electrolyte Hydrator with me everywhere I go. They even have little packets you can stash in your bag.

6 – Try to cook a meal or two for yourself. Cooking your own food is a great way to save cash and stay healthy, and it provides a perfect excuse to check out a local supermarket and do some shopping. After several days of eating super-rich foods on vacation, I’m actually excited to pick up some interesting local produce and whip up a salad or healthy alternative. Rent a VRBO or AirBnb and experiment in the kitchen, or sign up for a local cooking class and let a professional show you how it’s done.

There you have it, folks – the rules I follow for staying healthy while traveling. What about you? Do you have any rules you keep in mind for staying healthy while traveling? Leave a comment and let me know!