Claiming your wellness sanity while travelling

Travelling is a huge part of my lifestyle and I strive to make adventuring a standard with our family. Having two kiddos under the age of 4 makes travel a but more interesting but none-the-less it is a value that Aaron and I share. I knew travelling with kids would have its challenges, what I wasn’t prepared for was how it would impact ME!

I didn’t think about how I could maintain my positive lifestyle changes. I am intrigued by behaviors and habits. It is what I studied in graduate school and what I continue to study in myself and my clients as a health + lifestyle coach. As human beings we are drawn to rituals. It’s part of our nature to follow cycles. It takes a lot of work to develop habits that serve our goals.

I love the current wellness routine that Aaron and I have established. We are eating clean (lots of nutrient dense veggies + whole foods and no dairy, no gluten and no sugar)…. plus the yoga/running/weight lifting exercises that I’ve come to rely on for feeling strong! I value my healthy lifestyle because it makes me feel good. I notice a difference in my mindset, energy level, physical presence and my capacity to handle the stresses that life throws when I am in my groove. Success comes from the tiny things you do consistently. Going on a trip is fun- but inevitably it disrupts your normal. That is precisely why I love to travel! But you see my dilemma… how to maintain the positive effects of my daily habits while forcing myself out of my normal groove?

I see this dilemma unfold with my health coaching clients- especially with weight loss. You make progress by sticking to a routine and you lose weight. But whenever that routine is disrupted (like going on a vacation) the progress sometimes stops or even unravels. We all want to enjoy the freedom that travel provides however I think its important to maintain growth (whether its losing weight or just sticking to a healthy lifestyle)… even while you are outside your own living space.

I’ve been reflecting on this a lot during this trip because I’ve noticed how I’m feeling. I’m tired! I have less energy! I am still trying to adjust and make my wellness a priority. I know there is a way to get the best of both worlds… and here are a few things I’ve identified that are helping me stick to my wellness routine. First and foremost, just expect that your routine will be difficult to maintain so pick and choose a few key “must haves” to implement on a vacation.

Bust out the cooler baby!
- Prepare to have your “go to” snacks and healthy meals with you. Hit the grocery store. You can’t rely on your host to have everything you need. Bring a mini cooler with you and stock up on your must haves. For me its coconut water, almond milk, Kombucha, coconut oil, coffee, fresh greens, fresh fruit and WINE (duh!)
Book-end your day with familiarity
- Protect your Morning or Night time routine– if those are consistent its a big comfort with kids. If you normally start your day with meditation, gratitude, prayer or exercise then do it while waking up in your tent, hotel room or in-laws house. We always travel with our oils and diffuser and set it up in whatever space our kids will be sleeping… its a familiar part of the nighttime ritual in our house and helps the kids feel comfortable sleeping in new spaces. I love that our kiddos know that Lavender + Peace and Calming signals relaxation and comfort before bed. Keeping the familiar positive habits that begin or close a day are very grounding.
Get physical (any way you can)!
- Exercise can come in many forms- I’ve realized that going to the gym may not always be accessible while travelling but some form of physical activity is always available. Bust out the squats while on a hike… or download an app that provides an exercise routine that can be done in a backyard or hotel room. I’ve also found that planning an activity that gets everyone moving is a great way to have fun while being active. Then most importantly acknowledge that you DID exercise even if its not the same intensity of a workout you normally do… give yourself a break!