Healthy Traveller: 5 Ways Solo Travels Can Make You Healthier

Malls and tourist spots are most popular during the holidays, but do you have any idea where all those crowds of people flock to the week after?

Instagram stories, Facebook posts, and even establishment owners will tell you the answer: everyone goes to the gym.

In fact, most gyms anticipate such a large crowd during the first week of January that they actually bring in more gym equipment for the whole week. Eventually – more specifically, on the second week – the crowd returns to normal.

There’s a lot of reasons why most new year’s resolutions fail, but that’s a story for another day. Today, we’re talking about how you can actually make one of the most popular new year’s resolutions – to become healthier – come true… through travelling solo.

Also read: Don’t Make ‘Travel The World’ Your New Year’s Resolution, Here’s Why

1. Walk as much as possible

Without the pressure of needing to fit in multiple agendas in an itinerary, you have a lot more time to explore a place by foot. Not only does walking burn calories and improves your overall physical health, it also gives you time under the sun. Moderate sun exposure strengthens bones, lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and even prolongs life. Thanks to our tan complexion, most Filipinos can take in more time under the sun compared to fair-skinned people. Aside from the physical benefits of the sun, our mental health can also improve through sun exposure. Ample time with sunlight triggers the release of serotonin and endorphins – also known as happy hormones.

2. Wake up early

When you’re checked in at a nice hotel with comfy beds, it’s tempting to sleep in. It gets even more tempting to go back to bed when your travel buddies are still all snoozing. When you travel alone, you don’t need to be wary of other people’s time. You can wake up and start your day whatever time you want. With this freedom, I suggest you wake up as soon as the sun rises (or even before it does!) Drink water, stretch and do a bit of a workout so that you can boost your metabolism right away.

3. Find new ways to exercise

The gym isn’t the only way to exercise. When travelling, you have a lot of options to workout. Choose the stairs over the elevator, walk around a park, take a dip in your hotel pool. Go on a running tour and enjoy your morning jog while sightseeing. Try out the local sports. Climb a mountain. Surf the waves. Join a yoga class. Go snorkeling. Rent a bike. The opportunities are endless!

4. Make new friends

Solo travelling isn’t only good for the body – it’s also good for the mind. Without anyone familiar, you’re free to make new friends. Not only does making new friends combat loneliness, it also improves your brain work, encourages fresh perspectives, and promotes social support. With this, you’ll also have reduced stress levels.

5. Liberate yourself

Frequent solo travellers can testify about how liberating travelling alone can be. Free yourself from your regular stressors even more and go on a social media detox. This way, you’re more in touch with your surroundings and you can enjoy the moment – something that can be difficult with all the busyness around us nowadays. Relax and let your mind rest – your mental health will thank you for it.

Also read: Why You Should Try Social Media Detox While Travelling

Becoming healthier isn’t always about gym subscriptions. Sometimes, you just need to learn how to incorporate healthy habits into your lifestyle. Be a healthy traveller this year and practice these habits!

Also read: Why Travelling Solo is Better Than Travelling With Friends