Traveling Habits To Be Mindful Of
Hello from Los Angeles! I’m spending the next few weeks working remotely, but am hoping to leave feeling recharged and inspired. I look forward to the joy that comes with new experiences and making memories.
Traveling is always exciting, but most people find that drastic changes happen to their daily routine. Usually, it’s a mix of changes to sleep schedule, diet, and/or exercise routine. I’m a creature of habit, so I take time to plan ahead so I can stay on my daily routine as much as possible. Here are things to keep in mind and some tips that work well for me while I travel:
Exercise
The type of exercise while traveling can vary from your typical routine, but having movement be a part of your day is already a huge win!
- Accommodations with gyms: I optimize for convenience and look for places that have a gym or are within walking distance to a gym.
- Pack lightweight workout gear: I pack a set of weighted jump ropes so that I can do HIIT/cardio style workouts with very limited space. Another easy, lightweight thing you can pack are resistance bands.
- Workout apps: If you don’t want to pack equipment, there are apps you can download to your phone with pre-programmed body weight workouts.
- Outdoor activities: You can incorporate exercise into your travels by making it an adventure! Explore the city by going on a hike, bike ride, run, or standup paddleboarding. Walking or riding your bike to get to different destinations also reduces your carbon footprint! I track the number of steps I take each day via my Apple watch.
- Local fitness classes: Opt in for a new fitness challenge! I love seeing what different types of boutique fitness classes each city has to offer. Most studios offer drop-in classes.
Diet
When I travel, I prioritize eating and trying local foods! I’m a true foodie at heart. Remember, a few days of indulging will not set you back. It’s important to be fully present and enjoy your trip rather than worry about everything you are eating. You can also eat smart, by being cognizant of small ways to care for your digestive system.
- It is easy to forget to stay hydrated throughout the day when travelling – I carry a small water bottle with me at all times.
- I take daily multivitamins and supplements to make sure my body stays in balance. When I travel, I portion out the right amount of vitamins and supplements to take with me for the duration of the trip. I’ve been taking collagen the last three years and found it to help my skin. I mix Neora’s Slim + Skin Collagen Powder into my morning coffee, which is conveniently individually packaged and easy to throw in my purse.
- Gut health has been a focus in recent years. We tend to eat things that are outside of our typical diet when we travel, which may shock our digestive system. Neora’s Block + Balance Pre & Probiotic helps with digestion and bloating.
- Remember to eat enough greens with fiber to help aid with digestion.
- I try to be mindful about pairing the types of food I eat with how much physical activity/movement I do in a day. On days where I go hiking or have more strenuous activity, I plan my meals to be more carb heavy for sustenance! On lighter activity days, I opt for lighter meals and focus on protein.
Sleep
Feeling well rested is key. Depending on where you are traveling to and if there is a time zone change, a departure from your regular sleep schedule can result in fatigue, headaches, and irritability.
- Pack your favorite set of pajamas, skincare, sleep mask, and earplugs if you’re sensitive to new environments.
- Adjust your sleep schedule 3-5 days prior to your departure.
- Be mindful of screen time before bedtime and put your phone on silent mode.
- Take Neora’s Cleanse + Calm Nightly Gentle Cleanse to improve your body’s ability to flush toxins out while you sleep.
- Meditation keeps me grounded and feeling calm. I like to meditate right when I wake up. When I travel, I will double up with a quick 3 minute meditation session right before bed.
Safe travels, everyone!
Sarah Lam
Sarah is a fitness and wellness content creator based in Seattle. Her daily mission is to inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle and incorporate different forms of movement into everyday life. Through her own fitness journey, she has learned that small consistent changes add up to living a sustainable lifestyle. Outside of fitness, she is a finance professional, watercolor artist, and an avid traveler.
Thanks for the tips!! Being mindful of food choices when traveling is so key to enjoying the trip!! Love your tip on opting in fir a Fitness class as a guest….My daughter and I visited her friend’s club in Miami.. it was a great time and created unforgettable memories!!
I’ve been traveling for 3 weeks. I was far more mindful than usual and avoided the dreaded 5 lb usual trip gain!
I see Neora Fit in your bag. Its really helping me avoid cravings!