With things opening up, vacations are back on the table for many of us. There’s something rejuvenating and therapeutic about getting away, and it’s one of the things I personally missed the most during the pandemic.

But it’s important to remember that going away doesn’t have to mean taking a complete vacation from your healthy lifestyle … or undoing all the progress you’ve made.

Sure … you want to enjoy yourself and indulge a bit. But there are a few strategies I’ve found helpful when traveling so I don’t come back to the gym feeling like I have to start all over again.

Don’t stop exercising. Whether it’s a hike, walk or bike ride, be sure to incorporate some movement into each day. Most hotel gyms are open again, and you can take 15-20 minutes to grab a pair of dumbbells and do one of our home workouts … or at least some of it, if you’re pressed for time. One of the things I used to enjoy the most about traveling was finding a local fitness studio and trying a workout with them. I’d almost always learn a couple of new moves :-)

Travel with healthy snacks. It’s challenging to stick with your routine when you’re out of your environment. So it’s best to come prepared with some healthy, convenient options when hunger strikes. Raw fruits and veggies are a great choice. I’ve also found it helpful to bring a shaker bottle and put a scoop of my favorite protein powder in it. Then I just need to fill it with water, or stop at a convenience store for an ice cold almond milk.

Drink plenty of water. It’ll help keep you full between meals, and is especially helpful if you’re traveling to a warm climate. Nobody wants to feel dehydrated when they’re trying to enjoy their vacation!

Get a room with a fridge and microwave. This way, leftovers won’t go to waste and you’ll be able to keep your raw fruits and veggies cold and fresh. I also travel with a small cooler and a couple of ice packs.

Get plenty of sleep. Resist the urge to turn your vacation into a contest to see how many activities you can cram into each day. When you’re traveling, you need proper sleep more than ever -- especially since you’re being exposed to germs in the plane and hotel room. You shouldn’t come home from vacation feeling like you need another vacation.

If you’re able to get away this summer, I hope you enjoy this important return to normalcy! And I hope you find these tips for having a healthier vacation helpful.