5 Ways to Maintain Your Travel Fitness

[Steve Mirsky]

For those times when life doesn't have you exploring new territory, there are certain qualities of travel that need to be cultivated regularly or they are quickly lost to the comfort zone that becomes your familiar routine. Trouble is, routine is the antithesis of rewarding travel. To make sure that you're best prepared for your next trip, here are some ways to maintain your travel fitness while immersed in a work-a-day lifestyle.

1. Exercise and Stretch Regularly

Travel often involves sharp contrasts of physical activity in the same day. You may be sitting on a bus or train for the entire morning and then scrambling the cobbled streets of a city like Rome hitting the sites in the afternoon. Hauling luggage and pushing yourself more takes its toll. Weaker muscles often become pulled or strained which do little to enhance your trip enjoyment. Keeping physically fit keeps your body prepared for whatever next adventure arises. Don't worry about becoming a gym nut, a simple regimen done consistently is all it takes.

2. Take Plenty of Small Local Weekend Trips

Pick a radius that's comfortable yet not too limiting...perhaps anywhere within 5 hours drive from home is fair game. Explore every inch within this proximity

and challenge yourself to staying overnight as often as possible...under budget. This not only keeps your bargain hunting prowess sharp but abreast of the rapidly changing options for overnight stays like couchsurfing.org and homeexchange.com.

3. Cultivate Away Time in Your Relationships

Friendships, family, spouses, love interests are the glue of life...yet habits & proclivities to particular worldviews can subtly influence your personal motivations. Give of yourself in relationships but don't be afraid to take time for yourself. Reconnect with your base intuitions, most useful during extreme travel situations by taking a couple of weekend trips on your own every 6 months being sure to visit a place you've never been. Emotional security can be a crutch holding you back from planning your next trip. Self reliance breaks down inhibitions and in the long run helps your relationships grow.

4. Test Out New Travel Accessories

Is that neck pillow hard to pack in your carry on? Is it better to have backup battery packs powered both by solar and conventional current? Which deodorant works best for you as well as for airport security? What are the pros and cons for you regarding e-books vs magazines? Perhaps your old money belt isn't the most effective & wearable after your last trip. These are issues better resolved in between your longer international trips when you have time and flexibility to try out what works.

5. Experiment with Different Snack Foods

We've all been there...your last flight's dinner consisted of tiny peanut packets and soda. You weren't quite hungry enough to drop $15 on a prepared box lunch that looks about as appealing as a vending machine sandwich. But now you've arrived at yet another airport for a transfer and don't have time to pickup anything substantial. This is where a carefully selected array of dried fruit, meal bars, whey protein packets, etc. are essential. But don't leave your on-the-go sustenance up to chance. Test out what fills you and for how long. Is it healthy while not tasting like cardboard? These determinations are best done on small localized trips where you can easily make adjustments.

Photos courtesy of Cultured Chaos