It should make sense to stay healthy while on vacation. The healthier you are, the more likely you are to experience more of your destination by being able to move around and try new things. Vacations, after all, are for improving one’s own health and well-being, so why not try your best to be your fittest and healthiest self while you’re traveling?

Still, it can be a challenge to keep yourself healthy while you’re vacationing. Anything can happen while you’re traveling, as health risks like food poisoning lurk around the corners and the stress of traveling can lower the resistance in your immune system. Going overboard with the food and drinks on vacation can also cause other problems for your digestive health.

Thus, staying healthy while on vacation requires a proactive approach that anticipates problems before they emerge. Being proactive with your health while on vacation will help prevent any illness or emergency from interrupting your vacation altogether.

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6 Ways to Stay Healthy During Your Vacation

The basics of staying healthy still apply while on vacation: exercising, eating healthy, getting sleep, and regulating stress. While any of these strategies may look different for individual travelers, there are a few novel tips that travelers can take to heart in their journey. These tried-and-true tips are meant to keep you healthy in body, mind, and spirit.

1. Make Healthy Choices When Packing

Prioritizing your health begins at the packing stage. Always remember to pack any medications, supplements, and health equipment that you need on a regular basis. Medications should always be included in your hand-carried luggage, so you won’t miss any scheduled dosages. If you need to eat regularly, healthy snacks belong in your carry-on as well.

For physically active travelers, be sure to pack the gear that you need for the activities you will be doing on your trip. Be aware, though, that some fitness gear can be heavy, so check with your villa’s concierge services if equipment rental is available at your destination.

2. Choose Safe and Healthy Food Options

It’s one thing to choose healthy options in terms of ingredients, but it’s another level of consideration when you face the risk of food poisoning at your destination. The so-called “Bali Belly” is a real possibility for travelers whose digestive systems are not well-suited to local food preparation techniques.

There are various ways to avoid food poisoning if your stomach is not used to eating like a local, but the most important thing to remember is to choose food that’s freshly prepared and contains ingredients that are best suited to your individual digestive system. You can also ask how your meals are prepared before ordering, especially when it comes to food prepared by chefs in your luxury private villa.

3. Stay Hydrated with Clean Water

It’s important to always stay hydrated while traveling but do remember that not all places have drinkable or safe tap water. Look for bottled, distilled, or purified water wherever you go to keep yourself healthy, and make sure that reusable water bottles are washed thoroughly after use.

It’s also advisable to reduce your alcohol intake while traveling, as alcohol may worsen digestive problems caused by food poisoning. Sugary drinks might also cause spikes in blood sugar that could lead to inconsistent energy levels.

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4. Look For the Closest Fitness Facilities

Some luxury private villas have their own gyms, as well as recreational courts. This may eliminate the need to leave the villa to go to a separate gym to stay fit, and make trip planning easier. In addition, concierge services can arrange for an instructor or trainer to help you with your fitness goals.

Even if your idea of fitness is as simple as walking every morning, you might still need to look for facilities that support your activity of choice. Concierge services may be able to recommend options that will ensure your safety and privacy as well as your health.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Photo: A bedroom at Villa Hin in Koh Samui

It’s not always easy to get the requisite 8 hours of sleep when traveling, especially when you’re dealing with jet lag from a long-haul flight and possible anxieties over sleeping in a place that’s different from home. That’s why it’s important to take the steps necessary to ensure a good night’s sleep while on vacation.

There are measures that you can take to ensure sleep comfort in your private villa, from requesting blackout curtains to controlling room temperatures. Supplements such as melatonin may also help, though they come with their own risks as well.

6. Practice Mindfulness in Stressful Situations

Lastly, nothing can take a toll on your body quite like extreme stress, and traveling always comes with its own stressful situations. Stress can take a toll on both your body and mind, wearing down natural defenses in your nervous and immune system.

Instead of letting yourself be worn down by stress, it’s better for your physical and mental health to stay in a positive mindset. Alleviate stress by reframing thoughts and practicing mindfulness as much as possible during your travels and maintain a sense of empathy toward others when situations arise.

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Support Your Health While on Vacation

Vacations are meant to be restful and beneficial for your overall health, so it’s essential to stay healthy while you’re out and about in a new destination. Taking care of the physical and mental aspects of your health ensures that you will reap the benefits of being on vacation, with less stress.

The Luxury Signature can help ensure the healthiest and least stressful experience when staying at a luxury private villa in Phuket, Koh Samui, or Bali. Contact any of our villa experts today to craft your own personal wellness getaway.

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Featured image: Dining table at Villa Eugenia