Whether you travel often for business, sneak away for a holiday as often as possible or are a full-blown nomad who is just always on the go-- we can all agree it feels nearly impossible to maintain self-care while traveling. Routines go out the window, options become more limited and we're often tempted with experiences or choices that are a lot more sexy than "the right thing to do" (I'm sorry, but I will never order fruit for breakfast in Paris when I could have a buttery croissant instead).
But as my travel increased to over 300 days the past year, I quickly realized I couldn't live in a perpetual state of #vacationmode. And even when I did want to let myself cheat a little, I knew there were still things I could do to take better care of myself- even when I do order that croissant (or 2).
So regardless of what traveling looks like for you, here are a few easy ways I've managed to maintain self-care while on-the-go.
1. FIND FITNESS STUDIOS WITH MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
There are a few studios I've grown particularly fond of because they have so many locations across the country (among other reasons). Whether I've been living in Nashville or Chicago- or just visiting another other major city, it's been so nice to have a package of classes I can use anywhere. Something about already knowing "the drill" makes it feel less complicated to show up and sweat - even if you're in an entirely new city. A couple of my favorites studio chains include:
FLYWHEEL SPORTS
Flywheel is seriously such a great workout (I'm always absolutely disgusting after every class). While lots of spin studios have awesome playlists and feel like a dance party (which this absolutely does) what makes Flywheel so unique is the on-bike tech packs that let you view and adjust your effort in class. You can also choose to share your real-time performance with other riders on the in-stadium TorqBoards (which adds a fun competitive element). And after class, your personal stats are stored on their website so you can see how many calories you burned, your distance or any other information (here's a screen grab from my class yesterday to give you an idea).
Flywheel has studios in roughly 20 cities, your shoes are always included, and select studios also offer barre classes if you like to mix up your style of work out.
If you're new to Flywheel, you can get your first class free on me! Just use the code FLYBLONDEATLAS at checkout.
COREPOWER YOGA
Yoga is definitely my workout of choice, and I've been a long time fan of CorePower. I started going when I was working in Boulder and it quickly became my daily workout. With studios in over 35 cities (and multiple locations in many of each), I've now been to countless CorePower classes all over the country. No matter if I've been in Boulder, Denver, LA, Nashville, Chicago, Scottsdale-- wherever, I know I can count on a solid yoga class. In addition to traditional hot or flow classes, they also offer a yoga sculpt class (my absolute favorite) which is unique in that you use weights during your flow to add a sculpting and toning element Consider yourself warned: it will burn so good. I can feel a noticeable difference when I go to CorePower consistently - no matter which studio it is.
I can almost guarantee that if you travel frequently, there's bound to be a CorePower somewhere near you. If you've never been before, you can get your first week for free HERE!
2. BRING THE RIGHT SUPPLEMENTS ALONG
With travel schedules already throwing off so much of our routines, I'd argue it's not the time to stop taking your supplements. In fact, if you aren't taking any already, I'd argue it's the perfect time to start taking them. A strategic supplement routine can give your body some normalcy even if nothing about your day to day life follows a routine. I've recently discovered 2 different supplements that I won't ever travel without now: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides and my Care/Of Vitamins.
VITAL PROTEINS COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
Collagen Peptides are known for all kinds of benefits: improving skin + hair, reducing joint pain, healing leaky gut, boosting metabolism + muscle mass, strengthening nails, hair and teeth, improving liver health... the list goes on. It's basically like a tasteless protein powder in terms of consistency that you can take several different ways (although I recommend putting a scoop in your coffee every morning).
I've noticed a significance difference in my hair and nails ever since I started taking these so I've really made a point to stick with it every day. They're typically sold in a large container (again, like a protein powder) so I would always scoop a serving into a Ziploc bag for every day I was traveling-- until I found out they sell these perfect travel-sized packages! Now I don't ever carry a bag that doesn't have a few of these guys in there.
CARE/OF VITAMINS
I always knew I should be taking vitamins, but I wasn't too fond of my purse resembling a full functioning pharmacy. I already take a daily thyroid medication that I'm prescribed, so forgive me if I don't want to carry around bottles of fish oil and turmeric and probiotics and everything else I'm supposed to be taking to be a healthy human. Sure, I know there are pill bottles you can pack with all your various supplements, but that look me in the eyes and tell me you actually remember to do that. I can barely remember to take the vitamins when they're already in my purse...
Enter Care/of: an easier, personalized solution to your supplement needs. You can either hand select your supplements, or you can take their quiz for a recommendations of your needs based on your lifestyle. Each month, they ship you a box with thirty daily packs personalized for you. Supplements range from vitamins to minerals to herbs to probiotics and even unique specialty options. No matter what health goals you want to target, Care/of has you covered.
GET 25% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH OF VITAMINS WITH CODE ATLAS25 AT CHECKOUT!
3. SIMPLIFY HEALTHY EATING
Not only is it hard to eat healthy while you're traveling, but a big struggle for me is also the lead up before and few days once you get home. Grocery shopping is such a strategy, and unless you're going to be home for a while- I'd argue it's hard to prepare really healthy meals without wasting money + ingredients. I stumbled upon Snap Kitchen here in Chicago (which they sell at Whole Foods, but they also have stand alone locations).
Founded in 2010 in Austin, TX, Snap Kitchen provides healthy, handmade meals for busy people. Snap was established on the principle that real food should be convenient and delicious, and they live for making healthy meals that people will be excited to eat.
Snap Kitchen has dozens of locations across Austin, Dallas/ Ft. Worth, Houston, Chicago + Philadelphia (for now). You can purchase at select Whole Foods, or order via their app for delivery or in-store pick-up. If I'm being really honest, this is pretty much all I eat here in Chicago when I'm not eating out. It's so easy, healthy and reasonably priced- it just makes so much sense.
Regardless of if Snap Kitchen is in a city near you, I'd argue there are tons of services available that offer pre-prepared healthy meals for when you're on the go (or about to be). So if you're headed on a road trip for Thanksgiving next week, think ahead about what your options will be (fast food) and consider bringing one of these along instead.
4. OBSERVE SELF CARE DAYS
One of the biggest things I've had to learn to force myself to do while traveling so much is observe dedicated time for self-care. Travel means we're go-go-going all the time with early mornings and late nights trying to squeeze everything in. So whether you opt to do so during your trip or after once you're home- give yourself time to rest. Not just sleep- you need that even when you're not traveling. Use this time to unplug + listen to what you need. Shoulders killing you from carrying around bags? Get a massage. Feet have blisters from walking countless miles? Go for a pedicure.
Recently, after back to back trips from Chicago to Santorini to Nashville to Jackson Hole and back all within a couple weeks (not to mention the changing of the seasons), my skin was dull and confused by the mix of humid + dry climates I had been in. So to treat it, I went for a self care day at Cowshed Spa at Soho House Chicago.
COWSHED SPA
Knowing a lot about this brand from my time in London, (they opened their first spa in the old cowshed at Babington House, Somerset England) I was so glad to learn they have a location here in Chicago too! Their spas and products are always honest, natural and true to their British heritage (which clearly the London-lover in me gushes over).
I always get a massage and wanted to mix things up to do something for my skin since I know Cowshed is such a great spa and would have amazing, unique treatments. I opted for The Evening Primrose Body Mask, which is a beneficial and indulgent treatment, perfect for preparing your skin for a new season.
The treatment starts with a dry brush and body scrub, followed by the hydrating and plumping evening primrose body mask. I was cocooned in the mask while it worked its magic, and meanwhile my therapist performed a mini facial.
The dry brush used in the treatment is also sold in the spa, and it’s been flying off the shelves. Dry brushing is great for circulation, removing dead skin cells, and for stimulating the lymphatic system, making it a popular accompaniment to a detox, which is also a common practice when entering a new season.
In addition to these practices, be sure to also follow the obvious ones we all know so well: Drink plenty of water. Wash your hands. Get plenty of sleep. Okay, you get it- I'm just starting to sound like your mother now...
What are some other ways you maintain self-care while on the go? Let me know in the comment below!
Thanks for stopping by! Until next time...
xx
Whitney
