People travel for different reasons. Most go traveling for fun, visit new places, and learn about new cultures. Others travel because their work demands it. For the chosen few, traveling itself is their work. This allows them to earn while exploring different destinations.
Traveling has its fair share of health benefits. It relieves you of stress, increases your creativity, lowers your risk of heart attack, and even boosts your happiness. But like all good things, it can also harm your health.
Why Is It Too Hard to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle When Traveling?
When you’re out traveling, it is easier to let go of your usual restrictions and let yourself indulge in good food and relaxing activities. Many people have this mentality wherein they are willing to try out all the delicacies in their travel destination to the brim. This is even if they are already on a strict diet, as advised by their doctors.
The abundance of great and tasty food does not help in a traveler’s case. When you’re presented with a variety of scrumptious food items, it can be hard to resist. It is even harder to stop once you experience the taste of good food you couldn’t eat back at home.
According to a study, significant changes can already occur on how your body process nutrients after just five days of indulging in a high-fat diet. This means just a short week of a disrupted diet can already put you at risk for weight gain, obesity, and even type-2 diabetes.
When you’re often sitting or lying down during travels, you don’t get enough exercise. This makes it harder to keep up with your regular exercise routine. You’ll surely feel sore once you start moving again and won’t find it easy to get back to your usual exercise regime.
If you’re headed to a destination with a different time zone, you can even experience jet lag. This can disrupt your sleep cycle, along with you staying up more late than usual. The less sleep you get, the grumpier you will be, and the less energy you will have to face the day.
Keeping Yourself Healthy While on the Road
The good news is, there are things you can do to make sure you get to keep up with a healthy lifestyle even if you’re always on the road. Here’s how.
Explore Your Destination on Foot
Many travelers would opt to use their travels lying on the beach all day, getting a relaxing massage, and chilling by the campfire. You may be traveling for relaxation’s sake. But make sure to stay active as much as you can.
For instance, you can try searching for good things to do while at Changi Airport. Make it a point to explore the Shiseido Forest Valley, walk through the air at the Canopy Bridge, or balance your way in the Manulife Sky Nets. Even if you’re still waiting for your flight, you can stay active and get your daily dose of exercise by simply walking more steps.
Instead of riding a car or public transport, try to walk or bike when exploring a place. This will give you more time to appreciate your surroundings. This will also allow you to experience the real culture behind your travel destination.
Treat Yourself with Water Infusion
Staying hydrated is easy if you always keep a reusable water bottle with you as you travel. With all the food tasting you’re participating in, it pays to keep yourself hydrated. Instead of grabbing a diet soda or your favorite cocktail, try water infusion instead, and you’ll stay hydrated and refreshed all day.
Look Forward to Eating a Healthy Meal Each Day
It can be tricky to keep up with a specific diet when you don’t have a kitchen to cook. Thankfully, pre-booking your dinner plans is now made easy thanks to the power of technology. You can even research on healthy food deliveries before the trip to make sure you have unlimited healthy food options and have at least one fresh meal daily while on the go.
Visit Your Doctor a Few Weeks Before the Big Day
Many take doctor’s visits for granted, especially if they get too excited about their holidays. But if you want to make sure you’re clear to travel, then book for a doctor’s appointment at least six weeks before your travel date. This way, you can get their professional advice and undergo a series of tests, if necessary, before you go.
Let your doctor know of your travel plans and ask for their advice on necessary immunizations and precautions. Don’t forget to ask for an extra prescription in case you can’t make it on your next appointment. They can even recommend a nice hospital or other doctors in your destination if you get into medical trouble that can’t wait.
Traveling can be good for your mental health. But it can also sabotage your plans for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Proper preparation, a strong mindset, and willingness to make sacrifices for your health’s sake are the keys to keeping yourself healthy when you’re out traveling.
