Maximize Your Summer Travel

Hi friend - Happy Summer Solstice!

We’ve just reached the longest day of the year. Meaning, we’re officially into Summer 2024.

With summer often comes the joy of travel & vacation. This season is an opportunity for exploration, (re)connection, and renewal.

I recently returned from the inspiring landscapes of Zion & the upbeat energy of Vegas.

This week, I found myself in Denver for a work conference, and soon, I’ll heading to Europe for my cousin’s wedding.

Morale is high, but I’ve been reflecting on the balance between indulgence & well-being.

I’m all for enjoying vacation & indulging a bit, but I’m learning that overdoing the “it’s vacation mindset, do whatever” mindset leaves me feeling drained and less able to be present & fully the experience.

So today, I want to share 5 tips to help you feel your best while traveling, ensuring you can maximize the enjoyment of your adventures (without compromising your well-being).

Let’s dive in.

Bring Snacks

I don’t know if you’ve been in an airport recently, but finding foods that aren’t highly processed is super challenging…

Foods that are protein rich or affordable? Forget about it.

To avoid getting hangry or wasting money on snacks I don’t even want, I haul travel snacks like my life depends on it.

Before my trip out West, I stopped at Costco & hammered the following:

• Chomps Grass-Fed Beef Sticks, 12 count for $19

• RXBar Protein Bars, 14 count for $16

• IQBAR Plant Protein Bars, 12 count for $18

For just about $50 - the cost of two airport meals - I got more than enough snacks to fend off hunger for not just travel days, but the whole week.

And the even better thing - these snacks are accessible & leave me feeling good after eating them.

Experiment & find what works well for you.

Plan Ahead

A few Tuesdays ago, after a few morning hikes, I was driving back to Vegas from Zion…

Halfway into our three hour trip, I began to feel the hunger/hanger setting in.

We needed to stop.

After a quick Google for ‘healthy options,’ we detoured & found an incredible fast-casual place called “Zao Asian Cafe“

Imagine an an Asian themed Chipotle, serving bowls packed with protein & fresh veggies.

We both ate for $22 total - which is a huge win - especially in this economy.

Then we looked across the street & noticed an inviting outdoor space; another fast-casual restaurant called “Aubergine Kitchen.“

We had just eaten, but knew that we’d be arriving into a new city later than evening.

Rather than order takeout later from who-knows-where-would-be open, we bought another two bowls.

So when we settled into Vegas hours later, we didn’t have to worry about what we’d eat.

We had two nutritious bowls that were ready to eat & came at a reasonable price.

Planning ahead makes things easier, more enjoyable, & often, more affordable.

All things that are helpful while traveling.

Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to forget to drink water while you’re out exploring.

But when you’re moving all day - especially in the summer heat - this can be bad news bears. Just a 2% drop in hydration levels can impair physical performance & cognitive function by up to 20%

Throughout my trip, I carried a reusable water bottle and aimed to drink at least 3 of them each day (about 100 oz).

If you are moving a lot or in extreme climates - like I was this past week in Zion - I also recommend using electrolytes.

My favorite brand is LMNT, which delivers 200 mg of potassium, 60 mg of magnesium, and 1000 mg of sodium per serving.

This will help keep you hydrated, energized & limit travel-related fatigue.

Don’t Forgot to Download Music or Podcasts

There’s few things I hate, but one is sitting down on a plane and realizing I have nothing to listen to.

Here are a few of the podcasts & audiobooks I’ve been enjoying recently (thanks to downloading them ahead of time.)

Mind Your Mental Health

While traveling for extended periods of time, it’s easy to fall into the flow of whatever the day brings.

Between the early morning excursions, busy itineraries, or being surrounded by a new areas, there’s no shortage of things to do or try.

When this is the case, I frequently forgot about the practices that ground me.

Journaling goes out the window. And meditation? Forget about it.

What I’m learning is that these practices not only ground me, but also contribute to a better travel experience.

Deploying certainty during times of novelty is a hack for staying balanced.

Plus, there’s few things better than looking back on old travel journals when you were taking the adventure of a lifetime.

Thanks for Reading

I hope these tips help you enjoy your summer adventures to the fullest.

See you next week.

With gratitude,

Aidan