10 Essential Travel Tips: Do’s When You Are Travelling!

Most of us try to maintain an equal balance of health and wellness and a bit of fun throughout our daily lives. There is no reason you can’t continue while on vacation.  

Travel philosophies change as we mature and move through different seasons of life. While once an itinerary beast, moving from place to place at warp speed and wearing myself and everyone else out in the process, I have since slowed it all down. Nowadays, I am more mindful of the toll travel takes, plus I have two littles and my husband in tow to consider. 

10 Important Tips To Remember When You are On Your Vacation

1. Start Your Vacation Healthy

Don’t tie one on the night before travel day and start your vacation with a hangover. Get plenty of restorative sleep. Eat a healthy breakfast, hydrate, and pack healthy snacks for your day.

If you have time in the morning before your flight or drive, go for a walk or hit the gym for a quick morning workout. Start your vacation with a clear mind and a healthy body, energetic and ready for a long travel day.

2. If You are Flying, Give Yourself Plenty of Time at the Airport

I polled a group of travelers about how they managed airport anxiety; giving yourself plenty of time at the airport was unanimously the #1 tip.

Avoid the rush and get there early, take your time in the TSA line, arrive at your gate in plenty of time before boarding. Read a book, check email, research your destination, or listen to your favorite podcast or soothing music. Relax, you have a long day ahead of you.

3. Pack a Travel First Aid Kit That Includes Hand Sanitizer And Your Mask

We are amid a pandemic as I write this post. Most of us are staying put and not flying or even road-tripping. If you are out and about, wear your mask indoors and outdoors if you cannot social distance. Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer.  

In addition to hand sanitizer and a mask, here are essential items for your travel first aid kit.

• Imodium for diarrhea.
• Pepcid for heartburn and upset stomach.
• Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for pain and fevers. Pack kid doses, too.
• EpiPen and Benadryl if food allergies in the family.
• Decongestant and cough drops.
• Motion sickness medications such as Dramamine, ginger tablets, or scopolamine patches.
• Ointments for bug bites and rashes (Benadryl and hydrocortisone).
• Basic First Aid Items: Bandaids, gauze, disinfectant wipes, liquid bandage, tape, scissors, tweezers (for splinters).

4.  Eat a Healthy Breakfast Every Morning

Start your day with a good breakfast such as oatmeal and fruit, Greek yogurt and granola, scrambled eggs and toast with jam, a bagel with almond butter, or a banana smoothie.

Also Read: 5 Effective Travel Hacks to Save Your Time and Money For Next Travel

5. Pack Healthy Snacks and Carry Them With You Always

Nothing worse than being hungry on vacation and unable to eat anytime soon. No one is happy. When you finally have the opportunity to eat, the potential to make unhealthy food choices is high because you are starving.  

Here are a few healthy snack ideas—pack them in your backpack or purse available when hunger strikes.

• Power bars (watch out for the sugar content).
• Pretzels or Goldfish.
• Beef Jerky.
• Homemade Trail Mix.
• Pumpkin Seeds.
• Nuts (if no nut allergies exist in your family).

6. Stay Hydrated

Pack a reusable water bottle, keep it full, and continue to hydrate throughout the day. Exploring, sweating, walking, and enjoying an adult beverage are all dehydrating activities. Dehydration can cause fatigue, dizziness, constipation, headaches, trouble concentrating, and irritability. All of these symptoms can interfere with an exciting day exploring with your family. Stay hydrated.

7. The 80/20 Rule

Immersing yourself in a new culture isn’t quite the same unless you try the cuisine. However, eating out every day will interfere with sound nutrition. And can cause a tummy ache. It’s all about balance. So, abide by the 80/20 rule, which means 80% healthy and 20% indulgent.

8. When Exploring, Walk Everywhere When Possible

Walking a neighborhood or the city streets allows you to see more, hear more, and feel more of a new destination. Plus, you get your steps in and burn a few extra calories you may have picked up with dessert at lunch.

Mix in a workout while sightseeing. Go on a long hike with the gift of a stunning overlook at the end. Go horseback riding in the mountains or down the coast. Rent a bike and go for a trail ride. And watersports burn lots of calories, and the sites can be extraordinary — snorkeling, standup paddleboarding, kayaking, or scuba diving.

While exploring, make sure that you don’t get lost; therefore, don’t take a paper map and let Google maps lead you.

9. Add Downtime to Your Itinerary

The whole family will appreciate downtime. Read a book, watch a movie, take a nap, upload pictures from your day, or journal your thoughts. Take a quick walk on the beach or relax and sip on Champagne.

10. Get Plenty of Restorative Sleep

Sleep deprivation causes many distressing symptoms, including fatigue, irritability, and lack of concentration. Don’t let lack of sleep ruin your day. Here are a few tips to help you relax and fall asleep while traveling.

• Stay active throughout the majority of your day.
• Don’t eat a huge meal and drink too much close to bedtime.
• Pack these sleep accessories: earplugs, headphones to play music or white noise, eye mask, soft blanket, and cozy socks.
• Sip on Chamomile Tea.
• Try Lavender essential oil roll-on or spritz for your pillow.
• Create a consistent nighttime ritual that includes a warm bath, lavender aromatherapy, reading, and journaling.

If you have a history of insomnia, speak with your health care provider for advice on sleep aids.

Take Away Thoughts

Don’t let your vacation leave you exhausted and in need of another break to recover from your last vacation. Stay healthy while traveling and return home rejuvenated and ready to face life with energy and motivation.