Tips for happier, healthier vacations

Traveling can bring up all sorts of emotions in us; Fear, excitement, awe, fear, anticipation and the possibility of stepping out of “normal” life for a while, discovering new parts of the world and new aspects of ourselves. No matter where we travel – whether near or far from home – we always have ONE piece of luggage with us; ourselves. Traveling can help increase our intuition, confidence, self-belief and wisdom, opening our eyes to other cultures and even challenging beliefs we may have held on to a little too tightly. Of course, traveling can also simply be about relaxing in the sun or escaping to a nearby beach to devour a brand new book (we love itSearch slowlyby Melanie Barnes) and devour one or two ice creams. Whether you're flying to exotic countries or traveling within the UK, be sure to pack our advice and these essentials for happier, healthier holidays.

Roll out your travel mat

If you are going on vacation but want to maintain your daily yoga practice, you may be wondering; What is the best yoga travel mat? Heavy studio mats can all too easily tip your luggage over the edge, so a thin and light mat like this(link removed)is the way to go. Made from eco-friendly materials and engineered for a non-slip surface, the super lightweight mat can be easily rolled or folded into your bag so you can practice sun salutations at sunrise (or at least a few downward dogs before breakfast...). With more and more yoga classes available online today, you may even want to practice an entire class online with your teacher while traveling, so upgrade to that(link removed),complete with blanket and yoga strap. Even with these additional props, the kit is even light enough to pack in a backpack for country hikes.

Meditation for calmer car and plane journeys

We all have different ways of coping with long journeys. A podcast, a playlist, several eye spy games…. But for those who don't handle car rides well or want a healthier distraction than the drinks cart while flying, try meditation. Particularly if you are anxious while traveling, a meditation practice is a powerful tool to calm the mind and nervous system and can transform an anxiety-inducing challenge into a pleasant and relaxing experience.Journey withinby Max Stromis a 23-minute guided meditation CD for cultivating health, softness and compassion. His rich voice takes you on a journey from darkness to light, helping you breathe into all areas of stress in your body. You'll want to listen to it many times to bang it on hit repeat. To learn more about meditation practices and how to create your own, readRelax and be awareby Sayadaw U Tejaniya.

Sip sustainably

In addition to carbon emissions (which you can help offset by getting involved with tree-planting organizations, sponsoring companies that develop energy-efficient cookstoves in other countries, and recycling whenever possible), traveling often involves a lot of waste. From disposable coffee cups to flight cutlery, napkins and food waste, it helps to do everything you can to be personally as sustainable as possible. Bring a reusable and eco-friendly water container such as:(link removed),which keeps cold drinks ice cold and hot drinks toasty warm. Pack those(link removed)also as a high-quality replacement for disposable cups, and significantly reduce your environmental impact.

Eat on the go

In case you didn't know, younotYou don't have to eat lukewarm, boring airplane meals - you can bring your own food and actually enjoy your inflight meal! Whether it's a beach trip or a long-haul flight, choose recipesThe vegan 5-minute lunch boxfor happy, healthy and quick meals by Alexander Hart. Use that(link removed)to store it in, and if it's a summer picnic you're headed to, don't forget to pack the nice oneWestwegMexican Baja Diamond yoga blanketto relax.

Protect your skin

Although there is a long list of benefits we get from the sun, sunburn is still a problem we all want to avoid while on vacation. The tried and tested advice of staying out of the hot midday sun still works, as does applying sunscreen (just make sure it's a chemical-free product), but it's gentle on the skin after sunbathingYes, reallyalso needs moisture. After that long day at the beach or pool, rinse off the sand, scrub off the chlorine, and lather upBalance Me Moisturizing Face Cream.The rich and hydrating moisturizer is designed to protect sensitive, delicate and dehydrated skin, with antioxidant cloudberry to reduce redness. Treat your body to thisBalance Me Rose Otto Body Cream to soothe, smooth and rehydrate dry skin.

Don't forget the deodorant

It's no secret that deodorants were made for the summer months. A sweaty yoga class, a workout session, or just getting through the workday in the middle of July all require a deodorant you can rely on. The problem with many deodorants is that they are full of harsh chemicals and aluminum (definitely not healthy ingredients for our bodies!), and some natural deodorants just don't work as well as they claim.(link removed)however, makes natural, non-harmful deodorants that actually work. The small jars are suitable for putting in your travel bag and your(link removed)Range comes in a range of scents includingGrapefruit & Mint,(link removed)and(link removed).

Travel-safe toothpaste

Have you ever opened your suitcase and found your belongings covered in toothpaste or shampoo? Make this something you never have to worry about when traveling again with this(link removed).A natural, eco-friendly and effective way to clean your teeth, the toothpaste is blended with activated charcoal from coconut shells and English peppermint oil. Cleansing, brightening yet warm and spicy, you only need a pea-sized amount for it to last.

Arrive and sleep well

Make your hotel room or vacation rental (or sleeping bag) more inviting with a splashTisserand’s Sleep Better Pillow Mist.Lavender can relax the mind and promote peaceful sleep, while sandalwood is calming and jasmine can induce a positive but calm and calming state. Simply mist it over your pillow before bed as part of your sleep ritual, or spray it into the air around you to create a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere before bed.

Cover your eyes and take care of your internal clock

Traveling long distances can disrupt our internal clocks and disrupt our sleep, digestion, energy levels and even our mood. One of the best things you can do before visiting a country in a different time zone is to switch to that time zone a few days before your trip, if possible. If you're flying when it's nighttime at your destination, use an eye mask like this(Link removed) (Link removed)filled with a removable lavender sachet and made of completely washable material. Large enough to completely block out light and with an elastic band for added comfort, this is a key item to pack in your carry-on to give yourself some much-needed rest when traveling.

Massage away those tight travel muscles

Car rides, flights and any situation where we have to sit for long periods of time can cause tension in our legs, hips and back. I know I often have back pain after long train journeys, so having a tool to help massage away knots and tension is invaluable. Small enough to carry in your bag but strong enough to relieve stiffness(link removed)is specifically designed for those who train hard, travel well and want to relax and recover optimally. The long battery life means you can use it for 10 minutes without recharging for up to 60 days, so you don't even need to pack the charger for it for a week or two on vacation.

Where are you traveling this summer? Are there any travel essentials that you always need to have with you? Add them to this list to create your complete guide to happier, healthier travel this season.