[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_image _builder_version="3.17.6" src="https://noradaylive.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/9-healthy-travel-tips-facebook.jpg" /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"]
Over 100 million people travel during the December holidays. How many of those people do you think continue their healthy lifestyle on the road? This holiday and anytime you travel I want you to be one of those that do! It’s really easier than you think to keep up your routine while traveling. Just because you are in a different place, doesn’t mean you let everything go! On the contrary, this is where you can stay healthy without the pressure of working, deadlines, meetings and early wake-up calls. I feel like I get in better shape, eat really clean when I travel on the holidays.
I always do a little research on the area I will be in before I arrive. I look for vegetarian restaurants, make sure I have a place to practice yoga and look for a health food store or farmers market near where I will be staying. Apps like TripAdvisor, Yelp and Happy Cow are essential for finding the best restaurants. Don't wait until you arrive to check things out. A little bit of pre-travel research will help you locate the best vegan restaurants.
A few years back, I was booked to teach in Tokyo for 3 months. I was beyond excited to teach, but was very nervous about not having many vegan choices. AND, I knew I wouldn’t be able to read any labels!
So I did my research before arriving and found 1 vegan restaurant and 1 health food store. These two places saved me! I was at the health food store every day, and almost every day at the vegan restaurant. And I met some local plant-based people, which made me feel more at home in a foreign country!
Traveling is so wonderful, make it easier on yourself: do your research BEFORE you arrive!
Here are a couple of my favorites to find Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants, Markets, Co-ops, and Health Food Stores Near You: https://www.happycow.net
https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/
https://www.alternativetravelers.com/vegan-city-guides/
http://www.localfarmmarkets.org
http://www.greenpeople.org/healthfood.htm
http://www.naturalfoodretailers.net/member-directory
https://www.naturalgrocers.com/store-directory
https://www.ncg.coop/find-co-op
If I am going to a place that is more remote, or I can’t find my healthy food, I take my superfoods with me! Sometimes I will actually ship my food to wherever I am going, especially if I will be gone for a long time. It gives me peace of mind to know that I don't have to scramble around.
I ALWAYS travel with my yoga mat. Then I have no excuse not to practice. Even in a small space (Like my teeny tiny hotel room in Japan), I can get some kind of practice done, that moves my body and challenges my strength and flexibility. If you choose to drop into a yoga class at a local studio or at your resort, you will be so much happier using your own mat. On a plane, you can bring as a carry on and that way you don’t have to worry about adding extra weight to your luggage.
I always make a point to do a meditation every day, for balance and grounding even when I travel. Whether you are traveling for work, pleasure or visiting family for the holidays, travel can be stressful. Committing to just 5-minutes of meditation allows you to quiet your thoughts and find peace. Meditation helps us be mindful and appreciate what is around us. When traveling this is just as important as when you are home.
Sivasana is my friend when I travel. In yoga, Sivasana is a final resting pose at the end of the practice. A place where you completely clear your mind, relax your body, and you completely let go to what is. Your body and mind are quiet and calm in union. Sivasana can help you unwind after a long day or can help relax you after hectic travel. Sivasana is the ultimate relaxation pose.
It is no secret that staying well hydrated is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body and health. This is even more important when you travel especially if you fly. The high altitudes and low-humidity air, dry us out making us more susceptible to germs. Drink 8 ounces of water every hour you are in the air. I always pack a water bottle and carry it with me when I travel. A double-walled stainless steel bottle is a must. It will stay cold for up to 24 hours in your bag but won't sweat everywhere. More and more travel destinations are making it easier to refill water. Even some airports now have water bottle fill stations.
When you are on holiday, getting enough rest usually isn’t a problem! We don’t have the pressure of the alarm clock usually and can do things on our own schedule. Rest is one of your biggest defenders against common colds. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get at least seven hours per night. Be sure you give yourself time to rest especially if you are having to wrestle with jet lag.
Cultivate your sacred space while traveling! The main reason I created my online site was for those of us that travel, those of us that don’t have time to go to a studio and for those of us who want to stay connected to the practice, no matter where we are! Treat yourself to yoga classes of all different levels, including Yin, Vinyasa Flow, Deep Stretch, and 3-Day and 7-Day Challenges! You will feel, refreshed, and ready to explore! Learn more at https://www.yoginora.com
The opportunity to travel and see other parts of the world is truly an amazing experience. It is a way to grow, learn and become more humble. I always try to find a place of worship when traveling. I don’t need to understand the language, understand the customs, or even partake in the ceremony. I like to be part of a different culture giving thanks. It’s a great way to connect on a spiritual level to your destination.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
