8 Tips to Maintain Your Non-toxic Lifestyle When You Travel

When I first moved across the country, the one thing I didn’t think about was the travel involved to see my close-knit family. I was young and free of obligation, and after living in the same city and house most of my life, I was excited for the adventure ahead.

I figured I would be back at some point, but that never happened. Fast forward to today and I’ve built a life and family in the same spot I landed after leaving home for the very first time. Both of our families live on the other side of the country, so travel is non-negotiable. And living at 10,000 feet in a wintery climate, it isn’t easy or desirable for our family to come to us. We typically aren’t too mad about taking a trip during our long winters, as long as it is somewhere warmer.

Living a non-toxic lifestyle, each time we travel, it requires a lot of research and preparation. Making it easier to find healthier accommodations for families like ours is the reason I started Havenwith, a platform for vacation homes that are less-toxic and wellness-forward. Here are my 8 tips to maintain your non-toxic lifestyle when you travel.

Photo courtesy of Havenwith.

Travel with essentials

Good sleep is important at home and away. If you are not sleeping well, you’re going to be too tired to enjoy your trip and get the refresh you need. Unfortunately, the pillows at most hotels and vacation homes are typically not the best. I love to travel with my Avocado mini molded latex pillow to ensure I get the support for a restful night of sleep while I’m away.

Move your body

Traveling can be very exciting, but the actual act of moving our bodies from one place to another involves sitting for a long period of time. To counteract being stagnant, I try to get a workout in before I travel or upon arriving at our destination. A brisk walk is great, you’re getting fresh air and the lay of the land if you are exploring somewhere new. I’m sure you’ve seen the many reels dedicated to lymphatic hops and movements. If you’re tight on space and time (I find this especially the case with work travel), this is a perfect option!

Hydrate

Air travel can be extremely dehydrating. We always travel with multiple water filtration bottles to make it easy to consume water on the go without having to buy it. Our favorites are Clearly Filtered and Grayl. If I do have to buy water, I look for it in a glass bottle.

Prepare for the worst

If you are traveling outside of the country, a mini homeopathic remedies toolkit is essential, and I often travel with one domestically too. Being prepared for any sickness that might arise is important. I love propolis and immune support from Beekeepers, charcoal from Cymbiotika, and Boiron makes a ton of great products for travel.

How to pick accommodations that are less toxic

I built Havenwith to help make it easier for people to find vacation properties that use non-toxic cleaning supplies and laundry detergents. All of the properties are free of synthetic fragrances, and many are fragrance-free. Havenwith is still fairly new, so what do you do when there isn’t a property for your destination? I first judge a property by the photos, looking for carpet, candles, and air fresheners, or bathrooms without windows. I also look for a home that isn’t too cluttered, but also not completely void of character. A home void of character or too white & grey can be a sign that it was a flip and is not actually used by the hosts. Next, I’ll scour the reviews. Searching for keywords like “musty” or “mold” can be helpful to eliminate a property. If you are unsure, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask the host about their cleaning practices. Many hosts are willing to accommodate requests for no disinfectant, fragrance, etc. You might even help teach them about the dangers of traditional products.

Photo courtesy of Havenwith.

Meditate or let go

One thing I’ve realized in my non-toxic journey is that if my nervous system is not regulated, it will compound my symptoms. Learning the art of letting go is a big part of that. I control what I can control and attempt to let go of what I cannot. Journaling and/or meditating in the morning has been a huge help. I try to continue that routine when I’m away from home. Another must for me is not to overschedule myself. Too many activities or reservations can add a massive layer of stress. We tend to see where the day takes us for most of the days we are on a vacation, with one or two “must-do” activities planned depending on the length of the trip.

Eat healthy

We like to stock up at a local natural market, if possible. I research before our trip if there is a local market that stocks the foods we love. My preference is for a locally-owned grocer specializing in natural, organic foods, or the local farmer’s market, but we take what we can get! If we are traveling to an area without an accessible market for essentials, I pack what I can. Preparing ahead of time for when hunger strikes is key to avoiding the temptation of foods that don’t work for your body. In our normal routine, we strive for an 80/20 split of eating organic, whole foods. On vacation, I am a bit more relaxed and enjoy trying the local fare and “best” bakery or restaurant. We counter this indulgence with walking or biking everywhere and a good digestive enzyme.

Sun

If you are on vacation, take advantage of the time to slow down and really enjoy the day. Getting sun in the morning and evening is a great way to keep you healthy, strong, and keep your circadian rhythm on track. And isn’t quietly watching the sun set the whole point anyway?

Booking your next trip? Head to our website to find our growing list of properties that will help make it the restful retreat you deserve. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Don’t hesitate to reach out, we love to find new places to explore.

Annie Graybill
Founder, Havenwith

https://havenwith.com
https://instagram.com/havenwithstay

Photo courtesy of Havenwith.

Read more: Spring Travel

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Annie Graybill is the founder of Havenwith, a platform for non-toxic, fragrance-free vacation homes. She lives in the mountains with her husband and daughter in the healthy home they built. Her fondness memories of childhood are the many road trips her family took all across the country. Now, she carries on that tradition of adventure and exploring the world with her own family.