It sounds likes to me January is the month for detox. Blame those travels during the Christmas breaks – whether it’s those fois gras macarons you had in Pairs, the Ghireldelli’s chocolate thickshake in San Francisco, or those mornings spent in your ocean view suite sleeping in while having breakfast pancake stacks in bed instead of a morning workout, these oh-so-indulgent travel moments all seem to have come back to haunt you. Okay, I hear you my fellow travelettos, we’re all banging our heads in the wall for those impulsive feast. How about if I tell you that you don’t have to come back from your travel feeling guilty ever again? Oh, and the best part, you don’t even have to sacrifice those heavenly macarons moments! Sounds too good to be true, isn’t it? Do not worry, I’m not going to sell you celebrity secret detox pills. All you need is to simply pack these 15 travel essentials that helps you stick to your healthy living routine while on the go.
1. Yoga mat: Okay so you might think I’m a bit crazy to travel with my yoga mat, but as a keen yogi it is such a personal item like sleepwear and lingerie, something that you won’t borrow from hotels, will you? Staying healthy during travel all starts with maintaining your fitness routine. Even a brief 15-minute yoga session in my hotel room before I start my itinerary for the day helps to maintain my energy level.
2. Sports bra: Now this tops the list of my travel essentials, as you’ll never know if you’ll do an impromptu trekking trip, or a few hours’ hike through a national park. Or you might simply feel like stretching your muscles and mingle with the local for a morning jog at the New York Central Park. Having a super comfy sports bra is an absolute saviour!
3. One-piece swimsuit: Again this item always sits in my suitcase. Whether it’s just a quick dip at the hotel pool after a steamy long day, or if you’re lucky enough to head to THAT seaside destination, you can rely on this cutest one-piece swimwear to bring you some splashy summer style and sun-kissed holiday tan. You might ask ,why not bikinis? Well, if you happen to get to do snorkelling or ride a water slide, I can assure you that one-piece is no doubt a much safer option without having to worry about your bikini ties falling off!
4. Wide-brimmed hat: I must admit I’m totally obsessed with 70s’ vogue. These extra floppy wide-brimmed hats don’t just make you look like a Hollywood star on vacations, they get you extra shady too!
5. Sunglasses: Need I say more? Your sunglasses and floppy hats are your best travel buddies to keep you away from the skin-damaging UV lights. I’ve travelled to destinations such as San Francisco where wind just blows like crazy even on days that are overcast, and you’ll be thankful that your pair of stylish sunglasses will shield your eyes from wind and dust.
6. Silk pyjama set: I’m not a scientist, but from experience I can confidently make the claim that wearing the right pyjama set or slip dress to bed does make a difference to the quality of sleep. Have yourself wrapped in a silky, soft pyjama set, and I can guarantee you’ll wake you feeling smooth and happy! Except if you’re in the habit of sleeping naked, which in this case I’d totally encourage you to do the same in your hotel room as long as the do not disturb sign is hung at the door…
7. In-room sheep skin boots: The key to maintaining your routine during travel is to make yourself feel at home wherever you stay. I just LOVE slipping into these soft and cloudlike in-room sheep skin boots right out of bed in the morning so they’re travelling with me everywhere.
8. Fragrant travel candles: What is the first thing you do when you check in to your hotel rooms? I head straight to the window to drench my room with sunlight (and ocean view if I’m lucky), put on my lounge music playlist on the iPod docket, and light my rose fragrant travel candles to make the room feel like home. Staying well during your journey starts with indulging your five senses, and sweet aroma stimulates the secretion of happy hormones according to Dr. Lace n Ruffles.
9. Travel medication box: Getting yourself a cute little travel pills box is the best way to organize all your travel medication need. Label them and keep the contact details of your doctor in the box. If you’re travelling outside your country, bear in mind that buying any over-the-counter drugs without a prescription is a massive risk. Medical claims such as the recent Pradaxa lawsuit in the U.S. have stirred concerns over medications that aren’t properly assessed and regulated. You also want to make sure you take more than enough medication for your trip in case you stay longer, and always keep them in the shade and in your hand-carry travel bags.
10. Muesli with acai berry: We’re all guilty of having junk food for breakfast when we just need some quick bites before the 6 a.m. morning tour pick up. To resist the call of the greasy bacon and egg muffins, I always travel with my favourite brand of muesli, rolled oats and acai berry and carry them in sealed sandwich bags. Just add milk, or even some locally made honey, and viola! They make the tastiest, heartiest 5-minute breakfast with no fuss at all. I find that even when daily buffet breakfast is included at my hotel, from day three I start to crave for simple, homemade breakfast such as yogurt and muesli.
11. Neck pillow: Nothing worse than suffering from sore neck after a long-haul flight! I also make good use of the commuting time during my journey, whether it is a 2-hour train ride or a short ferry trip, to have a quick power nap with my neck pillow so that I’ll arrive at my destinations ready for all the adrenalin-pumping actions.
12. Earphones: Music and exercise always go hand in hand. Turn your iPod volume up and shuffle some party tunes, you’re ready to hit the hotel gym for a quick training session!
13. Travel journal: Keep a travel journal and try to plan in advance the itineraries for coming few days to try to fit in some forms of exercise while taking in what the destinations have to offer. I love to mingle with the locals and go for a morning run at the Central Park in New York, or hire a bike to soak up some golden sun on the Promenade de Anglais in Nice. Ask the locals or the concierge and they’ll be able to share some tips on where they go to have their muscles stretched.
14. Fresh flowers from the local markets: Waking up to the the aroma of freshly blossomed flowers gives me a burst of energy, and feeling thankful for another day on the road at an exotic destination.
15. An open mind: After all, travel is all about discoveries and getting out of your comfort zones. Never been on a surf board or a mountain bike? Bring yourself to the destination and this is where you challenge your body and mind to stretch far and beyond from your familiar territories. Staying curious is the key to staying young at heart.
So tell me my fellow travelettos, how do you stay well during your travels? What are the must-have travel items to help you stay active and make yourself feel at home? I’d love to hear your tips so do share them in the comments!
Until next time my Dear Reader, stay well on your journey!
P.S. This is how I stay shady…
x
Juliet
