Top 10 Travel Wellness Essentials
I have quite a few trips coming up in the next couple of months and it got me thinking what my wellness necessities are when I travel. What are my must haves to keep me happy and healthy when I’m away from home? Firstly, the number one thing I would recommend bringing is your routine! More than anything, I try to keep a routine while I’m traveling mainly because I’m a sucker for my morning routine. It not only helps to keep me balanced, but just starts each day on the right foot. However, I often do a condensed version of my morning and evening routines and there are a few items that really help me out with it. So, here are my top 10 wellness travel essentials that you need on your next trip.
Sunscreen
Regardless if I’m on my way to a beach vacation or am going to a conference where I’ll be inside most of the day, I always bring my facial sunscreen along (and regular sunscreen if I’ll be outside!). It’s made a world of difference in my skin care routine and it’s something I can’t leave home without. Mineral sunscreen, that uses zinc oxide as the main ingredients is a vastly better option than chemical sunscreens. Some safer brands include Cocokind, Goop, and I’ve also tried one from trader joes that worked well.
*Tip: Use the D-minder app to track how long you can stay in the sun before needing to put sunscreen on to maximize on vitamin D absorption. Sunscreen blocks our body from being able to produce vitamin D and most people are deficient from not getting enough sun exposure and the use of sunscreen when they are exposed.
Reusable Water Bottle
Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, hydration is key. Flying can be extremely drying and it’s easy to become dehydrated. I always bring a reusable water bottle to refill after going through security or to drink in the car on roadtrips.
Electrolytes
To go along with the above recommendation, no matter how much water you’re drinking, if you aren’t replenishing your electrolytes you aren’t doing yourself any favors. This is especially true if you will be losing excess sweat - laying out on the beach or walking around exploring a new city. LMNT is one of my favorite brands because they keep the ingredients simple and clean. I would highly recommend the watermelon flavor!
Vitamin C
These vitamin C packets (use BALANCED5) are my favorite and the only real supplement I usually bring on trips with me. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and elderberry to keep me healthy while I’m away. Have you ever felt under the weather after or during travel? It’s the last thing you want. Whether it’s germs you're being exposed to, increased stress, or simply being out of your regular routine, traveling can put a strain on your immune system. This is one of my favorite ways to keep that cold at bay.
CBD
Not only does CBD help with sleep, but it’s also helpful for trying to alleviate stress. And let’s be honest, traveling can be stressful. I typically take tinctures and gummies with me when I travel and really like Equilibria, JustCBD, and Soul CBD.
Sleep Mask & Reading Light
From the wise words of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz: “There’s no place like home”. Getting home to your bed and sleeping routine just hits different, so sign me up for anything I can do to improve my sleep while traveling. Personally, I bring a sleep mask and an amber reading light so I don’t have to use harsh lighting in the evenings if I’m reading before bed.
Lavender Essential Oil
Another sleep & stress aid that I can’t go without. At night, I’ll put a few drops in my hands and rub it on the bottom of my feet before bed. It helps to unwind and relax. Avoid generic essential oil from the grocery store or amazon and choose a more reputable company such as Revive, Young Living, or Dottera (not affiliated).
Travel Collagen Packets
One of my favorite things to do in new city’s is to find the best coffee (or matcha) spots, but caffeine can definitely be a doozy on your blood sugar, gut health and hormone health. I love bringing these travel collagen packets (use BALANCED15 for 15% off) to add into my coffee for some extra protein. BONUS: it’s great for the gut health and keeping your blood sugars balanced.
Insight Timer App
The one thing I always give myself time for is meditation, even whilst traveling. Regardless, if I can only afford to do it for 5 minutes I find it's a habit I no longer want to miss out on. I've shared about this app previously, but I find it is the simplest way to keep track my meditations and I like the timer and music features. It also has some great free guided meditations as well!
Lymphatic Drainage Tools (dry brush and body oil)
After sitting on a plane or in a car for hours, there’s nothing better than to get your lymph fluid moving. It has to be manually drained, which can be done by dry brushing, massage, rebound trampoline (not the most convenient when you’re traveling), and deep breathing. I like to bring a small dry brush and body oil (Use BALANCED20 for 20% off) for lymphatic drainage. I usually do this in the evenings or right after I’ve gotten out of the car/airplane.
*Tip: Mix the body oil with regular body lotion to make it last longer OR you can also use your body lotion for abdominal lymphatic massage
Food
This one is a little bonus, because however basic it is, it’s pretty important to feeling good after a trip. It’s incredibly easy to let healthier habits fall by the wayside while you’re away. Not that you shouldn’t enjoy yourself, but by bringing some healthier snacks or foods or doing research on restaurants that offer organic or gluten free options that you normally eat, you are making those choices easier on yourself. I always feel so much better after coming home from a trip where I’ve taken steps to eat healthier and stick to my normal ways of eating.
I’ll admit, I’m that person that brings along, what looks like, my whole pantry. I can’t help it! And honestly, I can’t tell you what a difference it’s made for me in sticking to a routine on the road. So, what are your travel essentials? I would love to hear in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by for a little balanced buzz and be sure to sign up for weekly wellness newsletters through the form at the bottom of this page.
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