Self-care on the Go: 6 Tips to Help You Incorporate Wellness While Traveling

Have you ever gone on a trip and expected to return home refreshed, only to feel exhausted? It's times like this when I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. During my travels, I’ve discovered some easy and simple wellness hacks that I incorporate during my trip that keep me feeling energized and refreshed.

1. Prioritize Water Intake

Did you know our bodies are made up of about 60% water? This means that water intake is crucial to keeping our bodies hydrated and our organs functioning properly. While on vacation we may be more active than usual or spend more time in the sun and both of these activities can contribute to dehydration. To make sure you are drinking enough water, pack a refillable water bottle in your carry-on bag so that you have easy access to it. I like to fill my bottle up as soon as I pass through airport security. Having your refillable water bottle handy will not only help you save some money and avoid buying expensive drinks at the airport but will also help to get a head start on staying hydrated.

Wellness Tip: During your trip, bring your water bottle with you during the day so that you can easily monitor your water intake and stay hydrated.

2. Eat Foods High in Fiber

I don’t know about you but when I travel, I love to try new foods and indulge in desserts. Unfortunately, my body sometimes takes a hit and I’m not as regular as I would be if I was at home eating my home-cooked meals. If you struggle with this too, the next time you travel purchase some fruits such as an apple or berries. You can also try nuts such as almonds, peanuts, or pecans. If you plan on making your own breakfast in your Airbnb, consider making oatmeal or eating a side of fruit with your breakfast. One thing I do while eating out is to order a side of veggies with my meal and ask the waiter if the veggies include high-fiber veggies like broccoli or carrots. This is an easy way to enjoy the foods that you want but also incorporate fiber into your meal.

Wellness Tip: Eat fresh fruits like berries or apples during your trip to stay regular.

3. Schedule a Rest Day

This is difficult for me because when I travel, I like to see everything and do everything because I don’t know when I might have the opportunity to visit again. I think it's good to want to have new experiences and explore but the only issue with this is that many times I am left burned out and exhausted. I never get the opportunity to truly relax and disconnect. I have started to schedule a full day of rest during all of my vacations now. A day of rest looks like sleeping in, and not having anything scheduled or planned. This allows for a time of relaxation, resting my body and mind.

Wellness Tip: Take a day off during your vacation to rest and rejuvenate.

4. Eat a Healthy Meal

I’m a foodie so for me I look forward to all of the food and drinks I will have while on vacation. I've found that eating a lot of processed, high-sugar, and high-carb foods can leave me feeling tired, and sluggish and sometimes I start feeling a little sick. I balance out these meals with one or two healthy meals. This can be as simple as finding a restaurant where I can order salmon with a side of veggies or a restaurant that focuses more on farm-to-table meals. Incorporating a healthy meal during your trip will keep your immune system boosted, provide energy, and contribute to your overall well-being.

Wellness Tip: Look for ways to incorporate at least one healthy meal during your trip.

5. Incorporate Physical Activity

Research has shown that physical activity can boost your mood, and improve your sleep quality. This is important because sometimes traveling can be stressful and lead to negative thoughts. Physical activity during your trip can look like walking for 30 minutes on the beach, going on a hike, walking a trail, or doing a walking tour in the city you are visiting. Another idea is to plan a dinner in a trendy neighborhood and spend some time walking around the area after dinner.

Wellness Tip: Get those steps in and do something active during your trip.

Hiking in Anchorage, AK

6. Prioritize Rest

Rest is important not only so that you can have enough energy to explore and enjoy different activities during your trip, but also so that your body has time to restore your immune system. Traveling can take a toll on your immune system due to changes in climate temperatures, eating foods that you don’t normally eat, staying up late, not drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated, etc. All these things can contribute to lowering your immune system. It’s never fun to get sick on a trip or be sick after a trip. Getting enough rest can contribute to a healthy immune system and prevent you from getting sick during or after your trip.

Wellness Tip: Reserve a few nights during your trip where you don't have anything planned or plan something that ends early so that you are able to get a good night's rest.

Incorporating wellness into your vacation doesn’t have to be hard. The simple tips that I provided in this post will help you feel energized and refreshed during your vacation and even when you return home.