Whether you’re heading out for a short or extended trip vacations can be a wonderful way to rejuvenate. Prepare for travel plans and holidays we usually think of plane tickets, car rentals and how to fit all the shoes or gifts in our luggage.
Here are 10 Travel Tips for a Healthy Holiday:
Pack your sneakers
Bring a stainless steel water bottle and add some citrus
Pack healthy snacks and a meal when you can
Food in airports tends to be very high in sodium, sugar and is loaded with preservatives. And those hotel breakfasts are definitely sugar and carbohydrates.
Planning some better snacks to bring along helps to remove the need to search for a healthy option and giving in to temptations. I love to pack dried berries, raw nuts, seeds, veggies and fruits. Don’t forget to prepare for those snacks and sweet cravings! You can pre-make some fruit chips, dried fruit, kale chips and some homemade chocolates. Can’t bring it with you? Find out where the closest grocery and health food stores are and plan in a stop on the way
My favorite thing to pack? Oatmeal! It’s a simple and healthy way to start my day and easy to make with a kettle and mug.
Bring a small blender
A simple way to make your own breakfast or lunch. There are so many light weight choices available now. Calling ahead to the hotel to ask them to empty the mini bar fridge will help to remove those snacks we all regret and leave room for you to keep your food fresh.
Call ahead to restaurants to ask about options to modify dishes to be healthier
Take a look at the menu online and have a plan ready. Calling ahead helps to prevent that uncomfortable feeling that can be associated with asking in person. Usually you can replace sides with a steamed vegetable or salad. Worse case you can always ask for a salad with some olive oil and a lemon for a quick dressing. Or ask for the chef to prepare a plant-based vegetarian main dish.
Read a book connected to your goals
What we are reading can have a big impact on our daily thoughts and choices. Prevent that boredom driven overeating by bringing a book to keep you inspired and motivated!
Bring herbal tea
Tea is an easy way to curb your appetite. I love to bring green tea to help with hunger. Ginger for anxiety and upset tummies, peppermint and chamomile to help with sleep.
Pack your pillow, eye mask and ear plugs
There is nothing worse than not getting the rest you need. Hotel beds can feel more like home with your own pillow. Earplugs and your eye mask can be a life saver on a flight or when you have noisy hotel neighbors. Loss of sleep significantly reduces our immune system, builds our anxiety and lowers our alertness. Add that to the stresses of travel results in needing a vacation to recover.
Research before arriving
I just love the Internet to help with travel. Using restaurant apps like Yelp will help to find restaurants with healthy options. Or you can look more specifically to your dietary preferences and restrictions by calling the local business association or chamber of commerce for those hidden gems.
Have fun!
Everyday we make choices and some we will inevitably regret. When we add negative self talk we compound the impact on our body, mind and soul. So remember to be kind to yourself!
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