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2 Do activities every single day

Do activities every single day.

Stay in contact with those back home.

1 Try All The Food My traveling friend continued being asked by their friends, “How is the food?” As if that was the only thing to prioritize during their travels. Should you try the food abroad and maintain an open mind? Yes, but does it have to be your experience in totality? No. I take a 50/50 approach: I pack tuna packs, protein bars, nuts, and protein powder. Eat the local food.

In some places, you will enjoy the food more than others. You don’t need to feel guilty or FOMO from having a complete cultural experience if you don’t fully partake in the food abroad.

Try the foods that interest you and some that scare you, but always listen to your gut.

There was a time I got food poisoning because I was so ambitious about eating all the food. I learned my lesson. Pay attention to smells and hygienic procedures. Furthermore, if you don’t like how something tastes, put it down or don’t order it in the first place.

After asking a chef for his recommendation, he told me to order by what ingredients were in the food. If it sounds good, try it; if it doesn’t, find something else that has ingredients you like.
** I also tend to avoid street food – some people indulge in it, but if I’m on a long trip, there are certain risks I don’t take.
#2 Do Activities Every Single Day

Whether your trip is long or short, if you jam-pack your days with activities, you might feel exhilarated or completely exhausted (for many folks, it’s the latter).

What’s the point of taking a vacation if you feel completely drained at the end of your trip?

There is a fine line between rest and play.

The longer your trip, the more you must practice the balance between work and play.

During my month-long trips, I take stops to rest. If I don’t rest, I might negatively impact my immune system, stretch myself too thin, get irritable, and lose energy.
**Strategy: Use one or two days to jam-pack activities in and then use the other days to relax. On long trips, you can implement this cadence throughout.
#3 Stay In Contact With Those Back Home

As important as friends and family are back home, it’s okay to take a little break from communicating with them or at least delay your response time.

They will still be there when you return, and it might refresh some of your relationships.

Don’t feel pressured to stay in contact with everyone while traveling, or you might miss out on some of the adventures abroad.

Stay present. Enjoy the unfamiliar surroundings you’re venturing into.

This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.