Getting away and taking a vacation is a great way to reset and treat yourself as a hodophile; I can personally attest that there is no such thing as traveling too much!
However, before every trip and on any vacation, I use the travel wellness tips I will share to be proactive and stay healthy while traveling.
I consider these my tried and true personal wellness travel trips as I use them consistently and religiously to be well before, during, and after domestic and international travel.
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Why Do You Need Travel Wellness Tips?
It’s a fact that traveling around is stressful and tiring, especially when you have a full schedule or are overactive to fit things into your travel itinerary.
Completely loaded schedules, air travel, and overactivity while traveling are critical reasons you do not skimp on self-care and must stay healthy.
If you want to come home feeling good and refreshed, putting yourself and your wellness at the top of your to-do list is wise.
The following ideas include four ways to better care of yourself while traveling.
#1 Eat Healthy Meals & Snacks To Stay Healthy While Traveling
Your diet and the foods you eat affect how you feel daily and how much energy you have.
Therefore, choosing healthy options is in your best interest, not wholly splurging while on vacation.
Plan and pack healthy snacks and meals to help you avoid unhealthy fast food options and keep your energy levels up.
- fresh fruit
- trail mix
- protein shake mixes
Instead, be mindful of the foods you choose to eat and pack and bring healthy snacks as you walk around and sightsee.
It may be tempting to eat dessert and drink alcohol every night, but remember that these calories can add up quickly.
#2 Wellness Traveler Tips: Pack Sunscreen + Repellant
Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreens and insect repellent.
Though you may not be able to control the climate at your destination, you can take proactive steps to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and keep pesky insects at bay.
Sunscreen is a must-have item regardless of where you’re traveling.
Whether heading to the beach or exploring a new city, applying sunscreen as it is essential to prevent sunburn. Pack sunscreen with a high SPF rating if you spend time outdoors.
For added protection, consider reapplying sunscreen every few hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.
Insect repellent is another essential item when traveling to a humid tropical climate.
Mosquitoes and other biting insects can not only be annoying, but they can also transmit diseases.
Pack a bottle of insect repellent to keep bugs at bay and apply it liberally, especially in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.
By packing sunscreen and insect repellent, you can take proactive steps to protect your health while traveling.
Be sure to apply these products regularly, especially if you’re spending time outdoors, to keep your skin safe and prevent bug bites.
#3 Wellness Travel Tips: Vaccines and Prescriptions
Consider the recommended measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.
You should also consider getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B if you are traveling to a country where these diseases are common.
If traveling to Africa or South America, you may also need to get vaccinated for yellow fever.
And if you are traveling to Asia, you may need to get vaccinated for Japanese encephalitis.
Discuss these with your doctor before traveling about a month ahead of travel.
Some vaccinations require more than one dose, so you must plan.
Remember that even if you are up-to-date on your vaccinations, you can still get sick while traveling.
Also, bring any prescription medications you may need while on your trip.
Pack prescription and over-the-counter medicines for common ailments such as headaches and upset stomachs.
If you have any chronic medical conditions, fill enough of your medication to last the entire trip and a basic first-aid kit.
It’s also good to bring copies of your prescription for any that might get lost or stolen.
#4 Make Sleep A Priority
It would be best to have your sleep feel great and keep your energy flowing every morning while traveling on vacation.
You need to learn how to sleep better by keeping busy during the day so you sleep better by night.
Take better care of yourself while traveling by prioritizing rest and sleep because travel is exhausting, and you must be well-rested to enjoy it.
Remember to stretch, move your body, and avoid long periods of sitting on planes, trains, and buses.
Try to stick to your usual bedtime and routine instead of staying up late every night.
Also, pack an eye cover, tea, and some melatonin lotion, which will help you relax and fall asleep quicker and stay asleep.
#5 Work Exercise Daily Into Your Vacation
If you aim to take better care of yourself while traveling, stick to an exercise routine, and walk anywhere you can.
Walking while traveling is a great way to sightsee, and it’s also wise to consider hitting the hotel gym daily to get your heart rate up and break a sweat.
The beach is free, so use it, get out there and walk to burn calories, and enjoy the FREE Vitamin D!
Even though you’re on vacation, you’ll sleep better at night and be more motivated to make healthy eating choices when working out regularly.
#6 Take Breaks & Relax From Touring
It can be tempting to always be on the go and rushing around while traveling the world.
However, it can also take a lot out of you, and you may soon feel worn down or even come down with a cold.
Instead, you can take better care of yourself while on vacation by taking breaks often and resting between activities.
Create and follow a loose itinerary of what you want to do but then also set aside time in your schedule and days to rest, relax, and recharge.
Don’t be afraid to put your feet up by the pool and read a good book or even nap, for example.
This way, you’ll return home feeling your best and well-rested.
Make Sure To Let Us Know How The Travel Wellness Tips Helped You
We all know the importance of maintaining our health, but it can be easy to let our guard down and fall into unhealthy habits when we travel.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
We hope you will use our wellness traveler tips to be well and stay healthy while traveling dedicated to other hodophiles! ~ Dana XO
Dana Vento is an accomplished travel writer who has written award-winning articles for Niagara Falls, USA, and Cabarrus, NC, and won IG photography for Southern Delaware beaches. Her best stories are on the pages of her passport. Dana offers tips for travel to help you have the best adventures!
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