Solo Travel-Prepping Your Body Before You Go

How to Prep Your Body for Solo Travel, a Guest Post by Emily Burton: Going on a trip is exciting, but it comes with a little more work when you’re traveling solo. Not only do you have to plan everything yourself, but you also don’t have anyone else to rely on should something go wrong. Solo travel can be a rewarding and memorable experience, so you shouldn’t let fear keep you from doing it so long as you take the time to plan. One of the best ways to prepare for a solo trip is to keep your body in tip top shape, so here are some specific ways for you to get ready to travel.

Good Nutrition

Your diet makes a huge impact on how you feel. It can also impact your energy levels. When you’re traveling, fatigue is one of the last things you want to battle. Plus, if you’re reasonably healthy before you travel, your immune system should have a better chance at fighting any bugs you come across. A healthy diet doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Meals like protein shakes are fast and easy to make. You can even pack something like Power Life High Impact Whey Protein ahead of time for a meal on the go.

See Your Doctor

This is especially important if you have any existing health conditions, but everyone should visit a doctor regularly anyway, even if it’s just for a yearly checkup. You’ll want to make sure you’ve got enough medication and a plan for refills should you need them on your trip. (See also our link for travel insurance at  InsureMy Trip for more information.) You may think you don’t need it, but you should at least have a plan in place should you need medical assistance. Depending on your travel location, you may be required to first get a vaccine or take other precautions for your health. If you need any doctor’s notes, make sure they are translated into the main language of whatever country you’ll be visiting. When it comes to your well-being, it’s better to be prepared.

Move Your Body

If you’re prepping for a big trip filled with tourist destinations, chances are you’ll be doing a lot more walking than you’re used to. Blisters, cramps, fatigue and sore muscles can put a damper on the rest of the trip if you’re not prepared to push your body further than it’s used to going. You can prepare your body for the extra exercise by walking more or adding an extra workout. If you can, exercise on terrain familiar to the ones you’ll encounter on your travels. If you plan on going hiking, work your way up a few easier hikes close to home. If you’re planning on running a race, climbing a mountain or going scuba diving, you’ll need some more specialized training and preparation. While you can blow off a walk or workout, more intense vacations will require some serious dedication beforehand. Chances are you spent a lot of money planning such a trip, and won’t want to show up in less than your peak physical condition.

Hydrate

Proper hydration is key to enjoying your time away. Dehydration can make you feel sluggish or impact your memory, which is not something you’ll want in a strange new place. Proper hydration can also help you combat jet lag. Lack of water will only make you more irritable and prone to concentration issues, all on top of being sleep deprived. If you’re going to a remote area, a lack of water could turn dangerous quickly.

Traveling is so exciting that it’s easy to forget your health during the planning and preparation process. Unfortunately, all those reservations and itineraries won’t account for your dragging energy levels if you throw your body into physical conditions you’re not used to. With a few adjustments in the weeks before your trip, you should have no problem embarking on a new adventure full of strength and energy.