I’m on an plane about twice a month, and in between my air travel I usually have at least one road trip.

While I really enjoy meeting new people, visiting new places, and sharing my love of yoga, travel can present some real challenges to a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some things I’ve learned over the years that I’m hoping might inspire you to take your traveling to the next level.

Bon Voyage!!

1) Pack at least one “workout” outfit.

It’s key that you pack at least one outfit you don’t mind getting sweaty and/or dirty. Even if you don’t think you have room, or that you won’t have time to work-out, still pack a sweat-worthy outfit just in case! That way, you can wear it if you decide to hit the hotel gym. Even if your hotel doesn’t have a gym, you can definitely hit the stairs, walk around the neighbourhood, or cruise the local scene.

My favourite travel activity is yoga, so I make sure to pack comfy clothing. But, in a pinch I will practice yoga in jeans or PJs right in my hotel room!

2) Shoes matter: Comfy and stylish!

I have found that if I wear comfortable shoes, I’m much more likely to be active in the airport and on my trip to and fro. Especially once I arrive at my destination, if I’ve got comfy shoes I feel good in, then I tend to explore and walk around my new surroundings.

Exploring a new city on foot is a great way to get a feel for the area’s vibe, as well as finding hidden gems such as local restaurants and boutiques. Believe me, I’m all about style. But when it comes to my shoes, they must not only look amazing, but they must also be comfortable enough to walk around in too. Be really picky about your shoes, keep looking until you find function and style! Don’t settle for stylish, when you can have function too!

And sometimes, you just can’t find both qualities in a single shoe. And that’s okay. Just be sure you have at least one pair of shoes you can actually cruise around in without torturing your poor feet.

3) Start your day with warm lemon water.

It’s so good for you, cheap, and so easy! No excuses on this one!

You can grab a few lemon slices from almost any restaurant or lobby, or even bring a few whole lemons with you in your suitcase. Then all you need is some warm or hot water, and you’re set! Depending on where I’m staying, I will sometimes order a pot of hot water from room service, and ask for lemons to go with it.

Lemon water in the morning can help boost your digestive system, balance your PH levels and set up your day for success!

4) Integrate movement and stretching breaks into your day.

You may not have a big block of time to workout or practice yoga, but several short sessions of activity can be just as beneficial. So, try to squeeze some movement into your day. Learn some simple chair yoga stretches for your shoulders and hips. Take the stairs. Walk instead of driving or taking a cab. You’ll already have your comfy shoes packed, so take full advantage of your freedom to explore!

Me, I like to practice yoga poses in completely random places. Like Malasana (squat pose) in the Vegas airport waiting for my connection. Or Savasana (relaxation pose) right under the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. And, if I see a boat, I bust out Navasana (boat pose). It’s fun, it’s active, and it’s healthy! (Also, makes for some cool pics!)

 

5) Strike a pose in your hotel room.

I prefer to get in my workout first thing in the morning, if at all possible. That way I start my day off right, and get it out of the way! Also, working out in my room is easy, and I don’t have to worry about finding out where to go or what to wear.

Yoga is my favourite traveling workout, because you don’t need anything to do it! You don’t need special shoes, or gadgets. And yoga doesn’t require much space either. You literally just need a space the size of a bath towel to practice. I find most of the time, the narrow hotel room hallways are often the perfect spot to roll out my mat! Many hotels now even have yoga mats in the rooms! If your hotel doesn’t have a yoga mat, you can practice right on the floor, on a bath towel, or even some Restorative Yoga on the bed! No other workout has that versatility.

6) Online classes and downloads.

There are TONS of ways to workout and/or take a yoga and fitness classes in your hotel room while you’re on the road! I use online fitness and yoga sites to take full classes while in my room. Other times, I might do a short guided meditation while in the airport and/or on the plane. You can play the classes on a laptop, iPad, phone, or mobile device.

Look around yourself for what you like, as there are many choices. And lots of companies have free trials too.

7) Drink lots of water.

I recommend drinking lots and lots of water while traveling. It will help everything run more smoothly, and will make you feel a lot better too. It also helps keep your skin hydrated, which can be an issue when flying. Drink water on the plane. Drink water when you land. Drink water throughout each day. I bring a water bottle with me and make sure I drink the entire thing before I arrive at my destination.

8) Focus your meals around veggies.

When you eat out at restaurants, it can be challenging to eat healthy. So stick with ordering dishes with lots of veggies. You can order several “sides” of vegetables as your entire meal. Or you can just get extra vegetables to go with your entree. Aim for making your meal at least 50% vegetables, and the greener the veggie, the better!

 

9) Essential Oils.

I like to use essential oils when I travel. I use a few drops of a germ fighting blend on the outer seam of my neck pillow. Once I arrive at my destination, I might use a blend to deodorise the room, and make it smell fresh. I also find that using a few drops of a relaxing blend of oil on a tissue by my bedside can help me sleep sounder.

10) Invest in some decent headphones.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve decided to take a nap on the plane, only to find myself surrounded by crying babies and teenage video-gamers! There’s nothing worse than the constant loud beeping and sound effects of your neighbor’s video game, or movie. I finally broke down and bought some good headphones, and I’ve never looked back! It’s the best insurance policy, to ensure you’ll have a pleasant flight experience.

~ 

Relephant read:

 10 Things to Pack for Staying Healthy on the Road.

Author: Carole Westerman

Assistant Editor: JoJo Rowden

Editor: Caroline Beaton

Photos: Courtesy of Author