5 Tips for Self-Care While Traveling

The tips below can help you to take care of you and to build healthy routines whether you are living a travel lifestyle or just need to make healthy changes in your life.

1. Establish a Morning Routine 

It may seem strange or even paradoxical to think that a consistent routine is one of the keys to staying happy and healthy on the road. After all, most people seeking the freedom of a travel lifestyle are looking to escape the day-to-day routine and monotony of “regular” life.

Having no routine can take it's toll. Focusing on work or play may become difficult. lack of motivation and less desire to do even the things you love. Soon it may just feel like days of chaos.

The key is to create routines that work for you and your health rather than against it. Oversleeping, skipping breakfast, working through lunch, is the type of routine that works against you. Instead try, waking up a little early, meditating, eating a healthy breakfast, reading or journaling, and then working out. This is a routine that promotes wellbeing.

2. Prioritize Exercise… even something minimal will help

There’s a powerful link between your physical strength and your mental strength. It’s something generally known that you feel lively and confident after a good work out. The benefits of exercising carry over into so many additional regions of your life.

For many though, keeping an exercise routine while RVing can seem very hard. Finding a way to make exercise not only a priority but fun, it's crucial for self-care. Whether you join an online gym membership, join a national gym so you have access in many cities, or simply commit to hiking or running, getting exercise is vital to your overall health.

3. Eating Healthy

Start out with this first commitment, as hard as it may seem, do not stop at a fast food restaurants and avoid national chains as best you can. Locally owned restaurants, pubs and eateries tend to be much healthier and, in most cases, cater to your dietary needs.

We all know that a healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.

But there are ways that you can strike a balance between enjoying the pleasures of traveling without packing on the pounds.

Here are a few ideas:

• Split a meal with your spouse the friend you are traveling with or your kids.
• Try appetizers, if you are hungry later cook dinner back at home.
• Visit the local farmers market and pick up your favorite ingredients and add a few that are known to the locals and new to you.
• Enjoy the scenery while having a healthy picnic.

4. Don’t Forget About Routine Health Care

Exercise is great for maintaining your health, but it’s also important to stay up to date on routine medical care. Maintaining medical care is essential for the prevention and early detection of disease.

Receiving routine medical care can be a challenge for those living a life of travel. It can be difficult to see healthcare providers because you’ll likely be a new patient. Most doctors want to see you and establish a patient relationship before they see you for anything else.

One way to accomplish the health care routine is to establish a home base that you can return to each year (or more, if needed). This allows you to create a relationship with a provider and will make scheduling appointments easier.

Travelers can also look into health care supplements or insurance supplements. These programs can reduce the dependency on a primary care physician through programs like telehealth (phone call or video chat health care) and prescription drug services.

5. Stay Mentally and Spiritually Healthy

Exploring new places, meeting new friends, and growing past your boundaries to learn new things and experience personal growth can turn into daily occurrences.

Many travelers long for the community and refuge they easily found in organizations and activities before their travel lifestyle.

You know yourself and what brings you up and what brings you down. If you find joy or comfort in a church or bible study, make sure to find something suitable for you on the road. There’s a group or community out there for everyone and for everything. Travel to places that allow you to enjoy your hobby and ask others to join you!

Doing the things you love is important when you’re committed to the travel lifestyle.

I hope I gave you a few ideas to keep caring for yourself while enjoying every minute or your travel lifestyle.