2021 Healthy Holiday Travel Tips

Are you planning to travel for the holidays this year? Whatever your plans, 2021 is definitely going to be a very different experience. Between the high cost of tickets, surprise flight cancellations, big crowds and sneaky, scary germs—holiday travel feels more intimidating this year. But you CAN stay safe and healthy while on-the-go! 

Perhaps you’re finally visiting your family for the first time since lockdown. Maybe you’re taking a much-needed vacation. Or maybe you booked a job out of town, and now you need to figure out how to navigate this busy season. 

These 10 healthy holiday travel tips will help you plan, pack and hit the open road, while maintaining your sanity. 

1. Start planning pronto.

The holidays are always stressful, even if you’re planning to stick close to home. The earlier you start planning, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel. 

2. Research vaccine and testing requirements.

Welcome to the new normal… Depending on where you’re headed, you may be required to show proof of vaccination, a negative Covid test, or quarantine for 10-14 days after arriving at your destination. Find out what the rules are now, so you’re ready to pass through security and enjoy your trip. Click here for the CDC’s guidelines on traveling this holiday. 

3. Stay flexible.

As a creative person, I bet you’ll excel with this travel tip! Especially in 2021, holiday travel is going to be unpredictable. So, you’ll need to know how to go with the flow, take direction and think on your feet, in case things don’t go according to plan. 

4. Remember to be kind.

If you’re feeling stressed to the max, imagine the kind of day the airline and airport staff, retail workers, cashiers, front desk clerks, and gas station attendants are having. A little kindness and empathy can go a long way. 

Plus, it’s a great mental health reminder to cut yourself some slack too. 

5. Book your stay in a smaller hotel or a vacation rental. 

The bigger the complex, the harder it is to maintain the cleaning and safety precautions for Covid-19. So consider staying in a more self-contained space, like a private property on Airbnb or VRBO. Many offer self-entry, so you can skip interactions with lots of people. 

Or see if your hotel or resort offers an online check-in, where you can get your hotel key to your mobile phone and just scan to enter, skipping the lines. 

6. Continue your Covid precautions.

Just because 2021 is almost over, don’t slack off on your safety. You’ll still be around a lot of people while traveling and celebrating (or working). Bring travel-size hand sanitizer bottles and continue to wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, as a precaution. Avoid touching public items, like counters and door handles as much as you can, or if you do, be sure to wash/sanitize your hands before picking up your phone. 😉

7. Pack your own healthy snacks.

Your own snacks will be cheaper and better quality than anything you can find in a convenience store or airport terminal. Plus, it will save you time wandering through the aisles trying to decide what to eat. 

Turn the snack preparation into a calming pre-travel experience. Put on some tunes and pack your favorite healthy bites, like grapes, organic almond butter, apple slices, chopped veggies and a little hummus, and homemade trail mix.  

And don’t forget to stay hydrated! Air conditioning can be super dry, and your body needs to be replenished to keep all your healthy functions running smoothly. If you’re not a big water drinker, add a little flavor to your water with sliced fruit (bring it from home and pop it into your water once past airport security). Or grab a sparkling water alternative (just make sure to check the label for sneaky added sugars). 

8. Bliss out in the passenger seat.

If you’re flying or road-tripping from the passenger seat, create your own bubble of peace. Invest in noise-canceling headphones, create a relaxing playlist, and have a cozy wrap or blanket handy, so you can tune out all the holiday travel chaos and stay centered and calm while in transit. 

9. Get enough rest the night before. 

Especially if you’re heading out to a job this travel season, you want to look and feel your best. If you rush to your destination on only a few hours of sleep, you’ll look haggard, feel terrible and probably think slower. (Hello, brain fog!) 

Plus, you’ll experience more worry and anxiety when you haven’t properly rested, so be sure to get a full night’s rest the day before you head out.

10. Exercise outdoors.

When we travel for the holidays, we are usually sitting for hours on end. So, make sure to include some physical activity into your holiday plans, even if it’s just short, morning walks. Those minutes add up!

Plus, outdoor events tend to be safer, so you can spend time with friends, family and colleagues while enjoying this beautiful time of year. 

What are your tried-and-true healthy holiday travel tips? Let me know in the comments below.

LOVE + bon voyage!