5 Ways To Stay Healthy on Vacation

Rest and rejuvenation are so important to both our physical and mental health. In fact, there are 7 different types of rest we all need, and vacation is a great way to get that much-needed rest. Everyone deserves a vacation! Especially if you have been living with cancer or are in the midst of treatment. So today I’m sharing 5 great tips for staying healthy while on vacation to keep your body feeling great.

5 Ways To Stay Healthy on Vacation 

Staying healthy on vacation means following a lot of the same things you would practice at home, but being intentional about it because you’re in a new place with a new (or lack of) routine. Here are my best tips:

1: Book an Airbnb or similar property so you can prepare your own food 

Staying at a hotel or resort usually means you’re restricted to eating out. This can certainly be part of the joy of being on vacation, but it’s also hard to find nutritious food that way. 

When you opt to stay at an Airbnb, VRBO, or other type of rental home, you’ll usually have a kitchen available to you, allowing you to prepare your own meals. This can make it much easier to fuel your body with good-for-you food throughout your stay. 

Before your trip, plan out some meals you’ll make in advance, and bring along any specialty ingredients and equipment that you might need from home, because you never know what the property will be stocked with. 

This helps you save a little bit of money on your vacation, too! 

2: Pack your own snacks for flights or long road trips 

Similarly, if you pack your own snacks for the trip, especially if you’re flying or taking a road trip, you don’t have to rely on what the airport or gas stations/rest stops have available. 

Things like nuts, good quality protein bars (or homemade protein bites), certain cheeses, and fruit all travel really well and give your body some good fuel. 

3: Work in some movement 

Just as at home, moving your body is a great way to stay healthy. So if you can, try to keep it up on vacation, too. 

However, remember that the point of vacation is to rest, so keep exercises light and do things you actually enjoy. Don’t make it into a chore or to-do! 

You could start your day with a morning walk or take a walk after dinner when it cools down a bit. And if you gather the family or your friend group to walk with you, it’ll be extra enjoyable! 

Or, if you like yoga, you could do some light stretches, which can be especially nice if you’re staying somewhere with a peaceful view. 

And the pool is always a great place to exercise too! It’s easy on your body and keeps you cool at the same time. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! 

4: Stay hydrated 

This one is especially important in the hot summer months or if you’re traveling to a tropical climate. You always want to keep yourself plenty hydrated. 

Water is great, but electrolytes really help your body as well. You don’t have to stick to sugary drinks like Gatorade or those electrolyte drink mixes–you can actually make your own! 

Just take some water, add a pinch or two of salt (a mineral salt such as pink Himalayan salt is best), squeeze in some citrus of your choice for flavor, and add a little honey, agave, real maple syrup, or other natural sweetener to sweeten it up a bit. A glass of this is a great way to stay hydrated.

Coconut water is also very naturally hydrating, so if you can find a brand you like without a lot of added sugar, it’s a great addition to your vacation home’s refrigerator. 

Lastly, limiting your alcohol intake is a good way to ensure you’re not dehydrating yourself, plus it’s good for your health overall.   

5: Bring a mask 

Even though we’re not in the middle of the pandemic any longer, if you’re immunocompromised from cancer or treatment, it’s a good idea to bring along a mask in case you feel you need it. This can be particularly smart on flights, in airports, or other crowded areas. 

And packing some hand sanitizer isn’t a bad idea, either! 

More Tips for Staying Healthy on Vacation

Most importantly, enjoy your vacation and give yourself the rest you deserve. Get enough sleep while you’re traveling, and take advantage of the responsibility-free downtime. Vacation is meant to be enjoyed, and you deserve it! 

Cancer Counselor

If you found this post helpful, I share lots of other great tips and resources for dealing with cancer on my blog. I encourage you to check it out and have a look around! 

And if you’re living with cancer and searching for some support, please feel free to explore the different ways I work with clients as a cancer counselor and coach.