Hey, lovelies!
So, this past week has been huge. I mean,*bam, hit by a train* huge. Less than eight months ago, my partner, Aaron, and I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, to get introduced to the cannabis industry. Yes, that’s right, Mandy of Bloom for Life is developing skills as a weed chef and is loving it. You can learn more about that project by clicking here.
Anyways, our time in Las Vegas was up. We feel as if we’ve learned as much as we can from the industry without twiddling our thumbs for months longer, so we moved back to South Dakota. Because medical marijuana is not legal here, we will not be staying put. Rather, we are renovating our 1995 camper trailer which was gifted to us by my parents. In a few weeks, we will take off on a road trip around the United States.
You see, marijuana to me is first and foremost a medicine. And as a spiritual individual, I believe it heightens our consciousness, in addition to contributing to healing. I’ll be writing more on this topic in the future. For now, I’d like to share some tips for staying healthy while traveling.
This article is much-needed, as I will be living in a camper trailer with my love and our three pets (a husky and two cats) for probably the next 6-8 months. My typical kitchen will no longer be at my fingertips. Rather, I will need to be inventive, innovative and, even, patient. (That last one is hard for me)
Fortunately, I’ve had some practice over the years. From living in Costa Rica for over a year-and-a-half to journeying through Kenya, Africa, for three months, to my 9-month stint in Thailand… I have experience “making it work,” so to speak.
So, without further ado, following are my 5 recommended tips for staying healthy while traveling.
1) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
When you’re traveling and stuck in a car or truck for long periods of time, the munchies tend to kick in. Why? Because of boredom. If you drink a lot of water, however, approximately half of your body weight in ounces each day, actual hunger will subside and you won’t find yourself reaching for sweet and salty snacks as often.
2) Keep healthy snacks on hand
This is one of the trickiest tips. However, for those who plan ahead, it’s not too difficult. I personally love to bring the following snacks with me. They are healthy, low-calorie, and are nutrient-dense. So, if I do binge on them, I don’t feel bad.
- Almond Butter w/ chopped up celery and carrots
- Naked Beet Kale Chips (Rhthym Brand)
- Sprouts, avocado, sea salt, cayenne, and lemon juice. You can scoop this mixture onto crackers (pre-made or store-bought)
- Kale Chips (I could eat kale chips for the rest of my life and be happy)
- Fruit — the original fast food
3) Exercise — even if only for 15 minutes
It can be hard to find time to exercise. Trust me, I know! But if you set aside even 15 minutes of your morning or evening to do some yoga, go for a jog, or cycle in a hotel gym, you will feel so much better. When we sit in vehicles while traveling and/or live sedentary lives, pent-up energy can affect our emotional and mental well-being, and that’s where the trouble starts.
*Very soon, I will start sharing fitness regimes you can do while traveling.
4) Stimulate your mind
To be healthy, your physical body, mental body, emotional body, and spiritual body need to be in alignment. If you get bored while driving or find yourself zoning off in the car, listen to an audiobook, have a stimulating conversation with a friend or partner, or meditate in the moment and pay attention to the changing scenery around you. This will help you find peace and enjoy your travels more.
5) Take as much time as you need
Not everyone can abide by this step, I understand. But for those who are able to slow down and extend their trip — even by half a day, this step can make all the difference.
When we don’t get enough sleep and are constantly on-the-go, our body becomes fatigued and we become more sensitive to insulin. This affects the intake and regulation of blood sugar and can make us more sensitive to certain foods, the environment, and those around us.
My recommendation is to make sure you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night and start your morning and end your day in a calm, focused way. Emphasize the need to de-stress, for it will benefit all of your bodies and, as a result, contribute to healing.
