Let’s face it: maintaining your health on the go is tough. Whether traveling for work or pleasure, maintaining healthy habits can be challenging. Mealtimes get thrown off, convenience foods are tempting, and exercise routines often take a back seat.  But with some intentional planning, mindfulness, and a little grace, you can keep up with your health habits while traveling, confidently knowing you are doing your best. In this post, we want to share some tips to help you stay committed to your healthy habits while on the road.

Have a “healthy” travel plan

First things first, have a plan. Before you travel, identify the most important health habits you don’t want to break. This could be drinking enough water, getting 30 minutes of exercise daily, or sticking to a specific diet (e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free). Be realistic and consider your goals, but remember that traveling can disrupt routines. Don’t stress by trying to maintain too many habits – keep it simple. Pick just a few.

Make sure to research any available resources ahead of time, such as hotel gyms or nearby parks for outdoor workouts. Consider downloading phone apps for exercise, purchasing passes for studios in the cities you’ll be visiting, using AllTrails to find hiking or walking trails, or joining virtual yoga classes that you can do from anywhere.

Pack high-fiber and high-protein snacks

Travel often involves long periods of sitting and waiting—at airports, on planes, and in cars. This can lead to mindless snacking on unhealthy foods out of boredom or hunger. To combat this, pack high-fiber and high-protein snacks like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or protein bars. These will keep you full and energized without resorting to unhealthy options.

Maintain regular mealtimes

While it’s important to be flexible with your schedule while traveling, try to maintain regular mealtimes as much as possible. This will help prevent overeating due to long stretches between meals and keep your energy levels stable throughout the day. If you know you’ll have a busy day exploring a new city, think ahead and pack healthy snacks or look for restaurants that offer healthier nutritional options.

Stay hydrated

It can be easy to forget to drink enough water while traveling, especially if you’re busy exploring or in a new time zone. But staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining your overall health and well-being. Pack a reusable water bottle to keep full and carry with you. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Remember that tea, coffee, and alcohol can actually dehydrate you, so try to balance these out with extra water intake.

Simple, easy exercises to do on the go

You can do plenty of simple and effective exercises in your hotel room or an airport waiting area. Bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks don’t need any equipment and fit in small spaces. A resistance band is perfect for packing and can be used for various strength exercises. Try jumping jacks, high knees, or even dancing to your favorite playlist for a quick cardio boost. A little creativity can keep your fitness routine alive while traveling and make it more fun.

Traveling doesn’t mean giving up your healthy habits. With some planning and mindfulness, you can stay committed to your health goals on the go. Be kind to yourself and don’t worry if you slip up occasionally. It’s important to enjoy the experience. Use these tips to stay on track and feel your best while exploring new places. Safe travels!