Recently, I was asked to write an article on keeping good habits when you travel. Since I travel a ridiculous amount, this is something I struggled with… and dealt with effectively over the last few years so here are some pointers on how you can keep fit or eat healthy or write in your journal regularly even when you travel.
- PLAN AHEAD
When you plan what you are going to do while travelling, incorporate the habits you want into your schedule. If it is not in your schedule, you are less likely to do it.
- LINK IT TO ANOTHER HABIT
You already have certain habits you do regardless of where you are. You brush your teeth. You shower. You eat. So, find ways of tagging a habit you want to keep and connecting it to one of these habits you already engage in so as you engage in one, you engage in the other.
- IDENTIFY POSSIBLE CHALLENGES
You can pretty much predict when certain things are going to be difficult. For example, if you are going on Safari, you will have to get up extremely early and won’t have time to exercise in the morning. If you are spending a lot of time in airports, it is not always easy to find high protein, low carbohydrate food. Knowing this ahead of time means you can come prepared. You can plan to exercise at night before dinner or bring a protein bar to the airport!
- KEEP YOUR MOTIVATION CLEAR
When you decide on the habits you want to keep, understand WHY you want to keep them and how great it will be once you do. Remind yourself of this often.
- KEEP A ROUTINE
Although travelling breaks your routine, there are many routines in travelling… you just have to notice them.
- GIVE YOURSELF BREAKS BUT EARN THEM
It is great to give yourself time off from these new habits, but only do so in intervals when you have made lots of progress and have been keeping them consistently.
- ADAPT TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Be aware that you may have certain environmental restrictions and prepare for that. When I went to Afghanistan, I couldn’t leave the compound to go for a run so I was prepared to do a full workout session in my room.
These 7 suggestions can help you maintain the kind of behaviours you want to form into habits and help you to keep them while you travel.
