Always on the go? Constantly traveling? Never enough time?
It’s time to hack this on the go lifestyle and implement some healthy habits for traveling.
If you want to make sure you can stay high energy, healthy and happy while you’re jetsettin’ around the world, then you need to commit to these 6 habits to hacking healthy travel.
Habit #1: Morning Routine
Stick to a morning routine. Without a consistent routine, we are constantly living reactively instead of proactively.
That means if you stub your toe in the morning – BOOM – that could set off a bad day.
On the other end of the spectrum you get a nice text from someone, then – BOOM – that could set off a good day.
Instead of leaving this to chance you can simply create a consistent morning routine that launches you off into your day feeling great no matter what.
Upon waking up you can feel right at home by hopping out of bed and immediately starting your morning routine. Try starting out with the one outlined below.
Action Items:
1) Take 10 deep lower belly breaths.
2) Drink a glass of water.
3) Write down 3 things you’re grateful for and say them out loud.
4) Write down 3 positive outcomes you want from your day and say them out loud.
This simple morning routine allows you to get present, so you can start your day with a sense of optimism no matter where you are in the world.
Habit #2 Exercise
Exercise daily. Research shows that people who exercise daily are not only much healthier, but are also much happier. Not to mention that when traveling, exercise can be our best ally in combatting the stress and uncertainty of life on the road.
High intensity workouts can easily be completed in your hotel room or in the hotel health center. Either way you’re going to be burning fat and releasing endorphins so you can’t go wrong.
Action Item: Try to pick a hotel with an exercise facility. Download an exercise app so you can workout from your room as well.
Habit #3 Plan Ahead
To maintain high energy levels and a healthy immune system it is crucial to consume foods with high levels of healthy macro and micronutrients.
Action Item: Make sure you stock your suitcase with everything on this healthy traveler checklist.
Checklist —
- Nuts and Seeds ex: almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds
- Super food powders
- Sugar free protein bars
- Refillable water bottle
- Workout apparel
- Headphones
Habit #4 Don’t Skip Meals
The #1 mistake that people make when traveling is skipping meals. When we skip meals, we are much more likely to binge on a large unhealthy meal when we do eat, because let’s face it – we’re starving!
Action Item: Eat small snacks or meals every 3-4 hours to keep your brain fueled and metabolism working fast.
Habit #5 Moderate Alcohol and Caffeine
It’s easy to fall into the trap of over consuming caffeine and alcohol when traveling. We perceive caffeine as the solution to our low energy and alcohol as the solution to our high stress. When either of these things are over consumed they have the opposite effect. Caffeine abuse can lead to burn out and alcohol abuse can lead to irregular moods and ultimately higher stress levels.
Action Item: Replace excess caffeine with sufficient sleep, exercise and healthy eating and you will have all the energy you need.
Replace alcohol with a natural high like meditation or exercise and feel the stress melt away.
Habit #6 Drink Up!
75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. If you’re constantly on the go, you probably belong to this majority group. Dehydration correlates with low energy, headaches and a less than optimal functioning metabolism and immune system.
Action Item: Keep a water bottle with you at all times and try to fill it up and drink it down at least three times a day.
Life can get hectic on the road, so I challenge you to try and implement at least one of these healthy habits on your next trip. The more you do, the better you’ll feel!
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
