5 Mind Body Soul Activities I Do That Make a Difference While Traveling

Traveling can be stressful at times. Budgeting, making reservations, researching destinations and going to the airport can contribute to an imbalance to our mind body soul health. When I travel, my goal is to stay in balance and get the most out of my holiday. Here are 5 mind body soul activities I do when traveling that has helped me look and feel good:

1. Eating and Drinking Local Foods and Beverages in Moderation

What we eat has a significant effect on our health and wellbeing. I'm an open-minded foodie who loves trying popular foods and beverages at the destinations I travel to. Practicing moderation helps with not overeating, which can lead to weight gain, digestive issues and overall sense of not feeling good. Practice portion control while trying various food and beverages will help you get to know your destination's culture and help you with health and weight maintenance.

2. On the Go

When I travel, I'm always on the go. Whether I'm exploring The Louvre in Paris or walking on the cobblestone grounds and bridges in Venezia, I stay active while traveling. Exploring your holiday spot on foot is an excellent way to stay in shape, feel good and get to know your destination. Ways to do that is by taking a walking tour around the area, which provides an excellent and intimate way to get to know the culture and major landmarks. To help you keep track of how many calories you burned and how many steps you took, use a fitness app or device to monitor your activity such as Apple Watch, Fitbit or Map My Fitness.

3. Be in the Moment

Mindfulness, or being in the moment, has shown to have excellent wellness benefits including reducing stress, improving memory, sleep and immunity. Another benefit of mindfulness is facilitating adjustment to time zone differences. When I travel, being in the moment helps me adjust to daytime and nighttime hours and allows me to have more fun while traveling. When traveling, keep home at home. Don't think about what time it is back at your hometown or what is happening at work. Setting boundaries and practicing mindfulness allows you to have a richer experience while traveling and promote mind body soul health.

4. Take a Cooking Class

When creating your travel itinerary, consider taking a cooking class. Many destinations have cooking classes such as Bali, France, India, London, New York and many more. There are many websites and apps to help you book activities such as Viator, Get Your Guide, Agoda, Trip.Com and Booking.Com. Participating in a cooking class helps you immerse yourself in your destination's culture, promote mind body soul health, try new tastes and flavors, and learn new recipes to take back with you when you return home. Baking and cooking are one of my greatest joys as it allows me to get creative and manage what I eat.

5. Unwind and Relax

We are on holiday for a reason, to unwind and have fun. While staying active while traveling helps you get to know your destination and stay fit, it is important to balance busyness with rejuvenation. I enjoy taking baths and look for accommodations that have bathtubs when travel planning to help me unwind from a busy day out and about. Take time for wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, massage, hot springs, or any activity that helps you relax and promote your mind body soul health.