So, you’re off on a grand adventure...
You can barely sleep, you’re so excited! You may be wandering off in your mind, romanticizing about the new place you’re about to explore. Maybe you’re thrilled just to get a break from work and everyday stressors back home. Perhaps you’re thinking about whether you’re forgetting anything important. The racing thoughts may set in about staying safe, having everything you need, being able to find where you’re going, who you’re meeting, etc.
Chances are, you may have forgotten about preparing for your upcoming travel through the lens of health and wellness.
It’s easy to get carried away with things like itineraries, packing lists, and logistics, but without a solid plan to care for your health while abroad, all the exhilarating adventures and sightseeing expeditions could go awry.
Here are some of our top tips for biohacking your travel, so you can stay healthy and vibrant abroad:
1. HYDRATE ~ It’s always important to stay hydrated, but traveling calls for extra special attention on this topic. You’ll want to load up on the agua before your flight because the humidity in airplanes is extremely low, which is a recipe for dehydration. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and a whole host of other issues. You’ll also likely be adapting to an entirely new climate, which calls for (you guessed it) more water!
TIP: Bring a reusable water bottle to refill with clean water. There are even some water bottles with built in filters, if you need some extra protection from foreign contaminants. OR, you can purchase bottles of water from a local convenience store right when you arrive. The retreat centers we visit always have clean, filtered water for our retreatees. Aim to drink 70% of your body weight in ounces each day!
2. CATCH THEM ZZZs ~ Staying up late can be enticing while traveling. There are so many fun distractions! But getting adequate sleep will prepare you for successful days, many times over. Sleep is the #1 most regenerative activity available to you. While asleep, you naturally detox, restore your muscles, stabilize your mood, and increase alertness, among so many other fantastical wonders. Without good quality sleep, your healthy eating habits, exercise regimen, meditation practice, etc. won’t do you any good. This could be an entire encyclopedia on its own, but trust us on this one ;)
TIP: The most rejuvenating sleep happens in a dark room. Use a sleep mask! Stuff a towel under the door, if light is creeping in. Unplug devices that are emitting light. Bring blue blocking glasses to stabilize melatonin production, if you’re exposed to lights or screens after dark. Sometimes we even travel with a roll of painters tape to cover up little red and blue lights on things like A/C controllers that can’t be unplugged! #nerds
3. FOOD PREP ~ Another encyclopedia-worthy rec here: We’re learning so much these days about how food affects our energy levels and moods. You want to feel great while you’re traveling, right? By avoiding processed “foods” and managing your blood sugar, you’re setting yourself up for much greater stamina and zest for the experiences that are waiting for you in (insert location). Focus on delicious, whole foods to set yourself up for happy days and energy through the roof! When planning retreats, we always put an emphasis on finding locations with high quality, organic, farm to table food, to keep our guests feeling mighty fine.
TIP: Do your research on healthy restaurants in the area before you leave! Pack some healthy snacks, so you don’t end up in a pickle, if your energy starts dipping, or there are no good options in sight. Some snack options are fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, low sugar bars, jerky, tea bags, etc. You can bring these from home, or go to a local market when you arrive to stock up.
4. MOVE IT ~ If you join us on a retreat, you’ll have plenty of options for movement - yoga, boxing, swimming, you name it. Sometimes there’s even a gym available. But to top it off, it’s great to walk as much as possible, whether you’re checking out the local digs, going sightseeing, or just need to run an errand. Keeping your blood movin’ and pumpin’ will also contribute to better energy, resilience and fitness.
TIP: Cue up some workout videos on YouTube. Pack a resistance band and/or a jump rope. These are small, light pieces of exercise equipment you can easily travel with. Look into staying in an area where you have lots of walking access to what you want to see and do, too!
5. GET DOWN WITH THE BEEHIVE - We don’t recommend too many products, but propolis is something we don’t hesitate to get behind. Propolis is essentially a bodyguard in a bottle. It’s known as the immune system of the beehive, due to its hundreds of vitamins and minerals, as well as its impressive germ fighting abilities. It’s also rich in antioxidants, and known to combat free radicals that are present during stressful situations, which, let’s face it, are almost inevitable when traveling.
TIP: We love the propolis spray from Beekeeper’s Naturals that you can take on the go while you travel. Throw it in your carry on, and use it before, during, and after your flight to keep your immune system in tip-top shape for your big adventure. You can even get 10% off your first purchase with the code ‘revampretreats’! Click here to check it out, and use the power of the hive to keep you buzzing from the inside out.
Need more ideas? Reach out! Our goal is to show you the best ways to travel, not only for the amazing adventures and cultural experiences, but also for your ever-expanding health and well-being.
Thanks for reading, and we hope to travel with you very soon!