On my last big tour, I was in eight airports, even more hotel rooms, on two trains, in countless Lyft vehicles and visited lots of places in between. I did several interviews, spent time with friends, hosted twelve book tour events and hugged and hung out with close to 1500 people.
(UPDATE: I’m getting ready for another multi-city book tour and I’ll be following all of the recommendations I wrote years ago below.)
Also … It’s flu season. I’m an introvert. I have Multiple Sclerosis and I feel great. Healthy travel starts long before the traveling begins, and while we can’t always prevent getting run down or catching something along the way, a gentle warrior’s approach to healthy travel has served me well. Creating rules or guidelines for how I live and work encourages a healthy, happy lifestyle.
A Gentle Warrior’s Guide to Healthy Travel
The Gentle Warrior’s Guide to Healthy Travel is a list of my non-negotiables for feeling well in flight and on the road. I hope it encourages you to create your own list of healthy habits and other ways to feel great on the road and at home with the heart of a gentle warrior.
1. I will double-down on healthy habits.
Instead of abandoning the things I know are good for me in the name of traveling, I’ll double-down and dig in deeper. I’ll sleep 7-8 hours a night, practice my morning routine daily, and spend more time nourishing my body, heart and soul. Be a gentle warrior: Take your healthy habits with you when you travel. You may not have your regular daily routine, but you can bring pieces of it with you to maintain a connection to what fuels you.
2. I will move my body.
Spending more time in vehicles (cars, planes, trains, buses) requires more time spent moving my body; stretching, unwinding and decrunching. I borrow yoga mats from hotel gyms, drop into classes and fitness studios in new cities and walk at least five miles every single day. Be a gentle warrior. Move your body several times a day in a way that feels good to you.
3. I will drink all the water.
My energy levels and moods are directly connected to how hydrated I am. Flying and other travel can be dehydrating so must bump up the water intake on the road. I start the day with 20oz of water before coffee. Be a gentle warrior: Drink water when you wake up and throughout the day.
4. I will do all the sleeping.
I sleep 7 – 8 hours a night at home so I sleep 7 – 8 hours when I travel too. If there is a late event, I sleep late the next day. If I wake up in the night due to weird hotel noises, I pop in my Loops and go back to sleep. Be a gentle warrior: It’s tempting to stay out late, watch tv, or surf the internet while traveling but resist. Give your body some good healing time by sleeping well. If you don’t want to be rundown, don’t run your self down.
5. I will supplement consistently.
I’ve experimented with vitamins and other supplements over the years and I know what works best for me. It’s different for everyone (so check with your Doctor) but I always take Vitamin D, Magnesium, Fish Oil, B-12 and a multi-vitamin. I used to take extra vitamins when traveling but I trust my immune system to do it’s job. Be a gentle warrior: Know what your body needs by working with a medical professional you trust and by checking in with yourself on a regular basis. Instead of trusting influencers online selling supplements, research and do what’s best for you.
6. I will quiet my mind.
It’s noisy out here in the world. To continue to engage and absorb, I have to start with a clean slate. I meditate twice a day for twenty minutes and write three pages (Morning Pages) a day to move the noise from my mind onto paper. Even though I don’t feel stressed, I know I’m experiencing more stress than usual just by being away from home. I don’t need to have a melt down before I start taking care of myself. Be a gentle warrior: Meditation or not, find a little time each day to sit quietly. Don’t wait for the melt down, or break down.
7. I will fill my heart.
I will call and text my loves every day while I’m on the road. If I’m in a friend’s city, we will spend time together, reconnect and tell each other “I love you” one hundred times. I’ll write thank you notes and love letters. I will fill my heart with other things I love too like coffee, writing and reading. Be a gentle warrior: Identify what fills your heart and have a plan to incorporate those people or activities on a daily basis during your trip.
8. I will leave lots of white space on my calendar.
I will reject the call to do more without guilt or regret. More in-person connection means less social media connection. I’ll choose mid morning flights over early morning flights. I pass on most early morning media requests, social meet-ups, networking opportunities, and trying to maintain a regular work schedule. Healthy travel requires flexibility. Healthy travel means trading F.O.M.O. for J.O.M.O. By committing to do less, I am going to miss out on things, but instead of fear, I feel joy. Joy that I have a choice, joy that I am protecting what matters most, and joy because I feel well. Be a gentle warrior: Be more. Do less.
9. I will pack lightly.
I won’t check a bag when I fly or bring any “just-in-case” items. Be a gentle warrior.
Use The Minimalist’s 20/20 rule.
10. I will be grateful.
Even when flights are running late, hotel food kinda sucks, I get lost, or miss home, I will be grateful. So grateful. I love what I do. I have an amazing team of supportive people. I feel well. I’m having the time of my life. How could I be anything but grateful? Be a gentle warrior: Start and end each day with gratitude for what you love, what makes you smile, and what makes your life better.
Become a gentle warrior and protect what matters most to you.
Make your own list of non-negotiables. Begin to protect your health, your love, your loves, and your life. Do this with the heart of a gentle warrior and your efforts won’t be selfish or isolating, but instead will allow you to be and give your best self.
See other Gentle Warrior Guides here.
