Whether you're heading to the beach, sightseeing in Europe, wandering through markets or escaping for a quick weekend, staying healthy on vacation can be tough. Vacations are meant to be relaxing and a little indulgent, but nobody wants to come home feeling worse than when they left. On your next trip, fend off the post-vacation blues with these easy tips.
How can you stay healthy on travel days?
Whether you're traveling by plane, train or car, a few habits go a long way on long, stressful travel days.
- Bring snacks. Instead of loading up on greasy (and expensive) food at the airport, pack healthy snacks from home to eat before and during your trip. The same goes for road trips: fruit, nuts and roasted chickpeas beat a bag of candy after hours in the car. Need ideas? See our top 10 vegan snacks for travel.
- Clean your hands. Travel is the perfect time to release your inner germaphobe. Wash with soap and water when you can; when you can't, the CDC recommends an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Use it before you eat, and wipe down armrests and tray tables on the plane.
- Stay hydrated. Cabin air is dry and hard on your skin. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it after security, and go easy on alcohol and coffee during long flights. After a sweaty day or a long journey, an electrolyte mix like Thirst Aid, with four key electrolytes and organic coconut sugar, can help you rehydrate.
- Move when you can. On long flights or drives, get up, stretch and walk around whenever it's safe to do so.
How can you stay healthy at your hotel?
Be smart about your stay and use the healthy options your hotel offers.
- Take the stairs. Don't feel like hitting the hotel gym? Skip the elevator. After a long day of lounging, a few flights of stairs will get your heart pumping.
- Be buffet-savvy. Endless high-calorie choices make hotel buffets tricky. Choose a smaller plate and fill most of it with fresh fruit and vegetables first.
- Use the mini-fridge. Stock it with yogurt, fruit or hard-boiled eggs for easy breakfasts and snacks. Bonus: it saves money for that special dinner later.
How can you stay healthy while exploring?
Whether you like to lounge in the sun, tour the city or let your adventurous side run wild, you deserve to feel your best.
- Take walking tours. Skip the bus tour and explore on foot. Walking tours and local hiking trails keep you moving and often come with the best views.
- Eat local. Visit farmers markets for fresh snacks. It's a great way to eat well and get a real taste of the local culture.
- Commit to one healthy meal a day. Vacation is the time to enjoy rich food. Making one meal a day light and fresh gives you more energy for adventures and makes the indulgent meals easier to enjoy.
- Protect your skin. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply it, especially at the beach or at altitude.
Traveling over the holidays? Read our 12 tips for stress-free travel.
