What if I told you that the quality of your life drops when you travel for work?
I was completely taken aback when I came across a study that people who travel often end up with symptoms of anxiety, depression, obesity and high blood pressure.
As a frequent traveller, I must admit that there is a tendency to slack on my healthy lifestyle when I travel. Just like many people who travel for work, it can be a challenge to do simple healthy activities like exercising and making better choices with your meals. Of course, the change of time zones destabilizes me leaving me sleep deprived.
What I observed is that when you make the decision to make healthier choices irrespective of which country you find yourself in, it’s extremely possible to keep a healthy lifestyle when you travel for work.
Here are some healthy and simple lifestyle choices you can make when you travel for work.
Switch your means of transportation
It’s so much more convenient to move around a new country or city in a car or taxi. However, convenience doesn’t always guarantee a healthy lifestyle.
Instead of hailing for a cab or renting a car, why not start walking to your destination? Walking is a healthy physical activity that will keep you fit while you’re in another country. The best part about taking a walk is that you get to soak in the scenery and explore the city you’re in.
Be conscious about what you eat
There is a tendency to be a little lax in your choice of food when you travel. And it’s understandable. You won’t be able to cook your own meals and since you’ll only be staying for a short time it won’t hurt eating poorly for a couple of days.
But those are just excuses. You should be as conscious about what you eat when you travel as you are when you’re home. Take time to carefully examine what’s available to eat. Choose food that is balanced and not too fatty.
Another tip is to practice intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting has a lot of health benefits and it’s perhaps one of the most ideal steps to take when you want to stay healthy.
Don’t stay stuck in a gym
Although it’s great to know that most hotels have gyms now, there’s nothing spectacular about working out in one. I’m not saying that gyms are bad. It’s just that all you’ll see are big equipment, weights and sweaty people.
However, you’ll get to enjoy the full benefit of your travel when you do your workout outside. Take a jog in the nearby park, cycle through the neighbourhood, or do some other outdoor sports. This way you not only give yourself a good workout, you also get to appreciate your new environment.
Get creative with your happy hours
There’s nothing like unwinding after a long day of work. You could go for a drink with some of your colleagues at a local bar or eat out at some restaurant.
But what if you think differently and add some culture to your hangouts? Instead of grabbing some drinks after work, why not go to the museum with your colleagues. This would not only help you get to know the culture of place you’re in, it also helps you relax and stimulate your mind as you learn new things.
How do you stay healthy when you travel for work?
Great post 😁
Thank you.
No problem 🙂 check out my blog when you get the chance 😁
These are awesome tips. I think my biggest downfall is my diet when traveling. I have got to remain conscious as well
Glad you like the tips Jess.
Completely agree, my health and diet plans always go downhill when I travel – which is quite a lot! I try to take a walk around the popular neighborhoods to fit in some exercise.
That is good. Any form of exercise works.
On all travels, I walk a lot and definitely use public transport to explore the area. I try to eat healthy on travel but I also eat local foods too. I’m slim and don’t put on too much weight so I can eat anything lol.
Oh that is good Kemi.
That is quite a surprising study of how frequent travel negatively impacts one’s health. I do travel for work a lot and the biggest difference I notice is dependent on the length of my travels. If I’m travel for a short period and have back to back meetings, I feel the stress come on quick and bad eating habits develop. However, if I’m traveling for an extended time, I am able to incorporate exercise and better sleeping which makes me feel better overall. Great tips to stay healthy while traveling!
I know exactly what you mean. The shorter trips can be more stressful when you have all sorts to fit in.
Whenever I travel, I see it as a holiday – even if I’m working – so I treat myself waaay too much. Too much wine, too much food and too many hours spent relaxing by a pool 🙂 So these tips will come in handy, thanks for sharing!
Rosie
Oh lovely. Thanks Rosie.
What a wonderful post! I try to be creative during my happy hours, working on my blog. And I been switching my mode of transportation. I usually ride a bike but my bike brok down this year so I had to walk to work this week.
Thank you.
Great ideas.. Am in total agreement with with you but when i think about it, am not even sure if i have a happy hour.. Seems like nothing else matters if am working, Don’t even have time for myself let alone friends and colleagues.
Thank you 😊
My diet goes well when I’m in my home city but everything messes up when I’m travelling. I do walk daily almost 5-7 kms.
Oh good.
This is super relateable! Great Post 🙂
Thanks Sophie.
Guys please come and check my page for more relatable content
I travel almost weekly for work. It’s tough and it takes discipline. Great suggestions!
Thanks Heidi.
Love this 💓
Glad you do 😊
Such a great post! This is definitely a struggle for me while traveling! Will definitely take these tips for future use!
Glad you like the post.
Great tips! I don’t have to travel much for work but when I do, it can be draining for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading. Glad you like the tips.
Such a lovely post.I also love to walk,as it gives a good overview of the city and makes me aware of what is happening where which also helps in choosing the food and makes me sync with new environment.
I agree. Glad you like the post.
I traveled an average of 150 miles back and forth from work each day for over 29 years (Northern Maryland to Washington DC).
I’m retired and 77 years old but in excellent health and look like I’m in my 50s. How come? Healthy Lifestyle and I constantly sang as I drove: trying to emulate the sound and style of singers from Sinatra to Al Jarreau to whoever.
Oh wow. That was a lot of commuting. Good to know you are in excellent health. That is amazing. It is so important to have a healthy lifestyle.
🎼🎷🎹🗣