When you’re constantly traveling for work, you likely don’t have time to breathe and, consequently, your health may fall by the wayside. Needless to say, this isn’t a desirable state of affairs. Self-care needs to be a priority – both because you deserve to feel good and so that you have the energy and fortitude you need to focus on your work properly.
Here, Exercise Line offers some advice on how you as a traveling professional can stay healthy while you’re out and about:
Plan out your meals in advance
Home-cooked, nutritious meals aren’t exactly the norm on the road. You may resort to eating snacks and junk food when you’re hungry. Moreover, your meal times may be irregular. A lack of healthy food at the right time can lead to traveler’s diarrhea, low energy levels, moodiness, and potentially long-term health problems.
Planning out your meals will both help you get the nutrition you need and also stop you from resorting to junk due to the lack of immediate options. Come up with food combinations that are both satisfying and nutritious – something you can pick up from local supermarkets, preferably – and do your best to eat at appropriate times.
Pick up some exercises you can do in place
You may be forced to spend a great deal of time indoors – especially in hotel rooms – when you’re traveling. It’s a good idea to pick up exercises that you can do in a limited amount of space. A good example is the Tabata workout. This is a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) method that you need to do only 3-4 times a week and offers significant health advantages in return.
Prioritize comfortable clothing
Comfortable clothes are critical when you’re on the road. They help keep you warm or cool enough, as applicable. You don’t need to sacrifice style for comfort either – feeling good about your appearance is essential to being healthy. Don’t forget to pack workout clothing for when you hit the hotel gym. Also, you will need something comfortable for bed – like a snug bra that doesn’t have an underwire, which stops it from biting into your skin and makes it a great option for sleeping.
Learn how to relax on-demand
Constantly moving about can be unsettling and stressful, even when you’re an otherwise seasoned traveler. Picking up relaxation skills and techniques to put your mind and body at ease when you’re traveling or in between work tasks will stand you in good stead. Some suggestions from Health are walking meditation, getting creative, making a joy list, and logging off social media.
Stay organized to minimize stressTop-tier organization skills can help you minimize the stresses and strains of travel, which will make moving about less of a chore and more of a pleasant experience. Some skills to pick up are scheduling, packing efficiently, and using apps to manage travel-related details. Also, being more efficient with your work through skills like time management, prioritization, delegation, and focus will pay off.
Bring your puppy or pet along
Having an animal companion can be immensely therapeutic, as you likely already know. Taking your pet along with you when you travel is a great way to maintain your mental and physical health (more suitable for independent solopreneurs and freelancers). You will need to keep your pet safe and happy while traveling, regardless. A comfortable enclosure, a GPS tag, toys, and high-quality food are some must-have items. If you’re planning such purchases, click here to read in-depth product reviews from unbiased sources.
Establish a routine to wind down and get quality sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for recovering all your depleted energy and starting fresh the next day. Coming up with a sleep routine can help your body get into sleep mode easier. Good Housekeeping offers an excellent routine – setting your alarm, turning off the lights, putting away screens, drinking some tea, and taking a warm bath before bed are some of the highlights.
Conclusion
Staying healthy when you’re out on the road doesn’t have to be rocket science. Listen to your body at all times for the best results – it knows exactly what it needs at all times, be it rest, nutrition, or movement. Even a few minutes of room in your schedule, now and again, for self-care activities can go a long way toward keeping you healthy and fit.
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