We are deep into the travel season, however for many of us jet-setting to a faraway destination doesn’t seem like as great of an option as it once was. Although we are all looking for a change of scenery, it looks as though many of us will be seeking out travel that is within driving distance from home. 

Luckily, there are still numerous adventures to be had! From overnight camping or wilderness backpacking, to nearby hikes or outdoor family visits, there are plenty of ways to make the vacation you crave a reality. 

Whether hitting the road for a day trip with the family or taking a longer road trip, these tips will help you stay healthy and safe while you’re travelling. 

Essentials to Bring on Your Next Road Trip

Prepare yourself for success with: 

• A good cooler
  Bring your own food, drinks, and snacks to save money (and make healthier choices) while keeping everything nice and cold. 
• A large container to hold water
  Bottled water is wasteful, but sometimes there aren’t reliable water sources to fill your reusable bottle. Fill a large container with water (or buy some jugs of filtered water from the store) and take your hydration with you.
• Hand sanitizer / hand wipes
  You should always wash your hands after leaving a restroom when you stop. But what if you’re just filling up for gas? Or what if the restroom is out of soap? Stock up on hand sanitizer or wipes ahead of time to bring with you to ensure you don’t spread germs at stops (or in your car). 
• “Car” masks
  Wearing a mask is very new to everyone. Keep an extra mask or two in your car, just in case. 
• Phone charger
  You don’t want to run out of charge while on the road. If you have an older vehicle, purchase a good phone charger that you can plug right into your cigarette lighter port or console. 
• Downloaded podcasts & playlists
  Especially for long distances, download a bunch of music playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks while you still have WiFi. You will most likely lose reception at some point, and this will ensure you don’t miss a beat. 
• Plenty of True Citrus water enhancers!
  True Citrus products keep you enticed to keep sipping your water, so load up. Need a little pick-me-up for when you’re getting tired of the drive? Our healthy, caffeinated Energy drink mixes will keep you wide awake (with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee) and keep your immune system healthy (with your daily vitamin C). 

Healthy Foods to Bring on a Road Trip

It’s always better to bring your own food rather than trust highway stops to have nutrient-dense meals. Unfortunately, American roadways are lined with mostly fast or convenience foods, which usually means very high calorie content and very low nutritional value. 

Here are some foods to make or snacks to bring along with you to stay healthy when you’re out on the road: 

• Sandwiches & wraps
  Easy to grab and eat - no muss, no fuss. When building your hand-held foods, remember to keep any “wet” foods (such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or lettuces) away from the bread or tortilla so that they don’t get soggy. Start with whole wheat varieties as well for more nutrition, and more sturdiness. 
• Nuts
  Choose only lightly-salted or salt-free nuts to cut back on your sodium intake while still getting that good energy from fats. 
• Crunchy veggies
  Celery, carrots, and cucumbers have a great crunch and are super satisfying to munch on while on the road. These hearty vegetables also hold up well for longer trips. 
• Self-contained fruits
  Bring fruits that you don’t have to work to eat, such as apples or bananas. Strawberries are also a good choice, but peeling an orange could prove to be difficult.  
• Baby food packets
  Easy squeezy goodness! Get natural or organic baby food packets, as they will probably not contain any added sugar or sodium. Just stick to anything fruity rather than savory - trust us on this one. 

Keep Your Whole Body Happy on Your Next Road Trip

Driving long distances can take a toll on your body, especially if you don’t take road trips very often. Here are some simple tips you can apply to make your drive (and your body) a little more comfortable: 

• Bring support
  Lumbar support, we mean. A pillow or rolled-up sweatshirt nestled between your lower back and the seat will improve your posture, open up your chest to increase breathing flow, and reduce back pain from long hours of sitting. 
• Set everything out
  If taking a solo trip, place an open box or container on the passenger seat. Keep essentials that you’ll need to easily grab (extra water, mask, hand sanitizer, sandwich, gum, etc.) right on the seat next to you. This way you won’t have to worry about anything rolling off the seat or get distracted searching for what you need.
• Stretch it all out
  Sitting for a long time can make muscles and joints really ache. Every time you have to stop whether for gas or the bathroom, take 5 minutes to do some good stretches. Bend and reach for your toes, do some spinal twists, and roll out your ankles and your wrists. 
• Do some basic calisthenics
  Between your stretching movements, throw in a few bodyweight calisthenics to immediately increase your energy and flex out those muscles. Jog a couple of laps around your car, do some bodyweight squats, and swing your arms around in circles. You may look a little ridiculous, but it will feel great and you’ll be re-energized! 
• Choose to chew
  If you start to feel unfocused, rather than mindlessly munching on snacks try chewing gum. It will activate your mind, give you something to do (blow bubbles!) and refocus your attention without overindulging on calories. 
• Don’t kid yourself - pull over to rest
  Drowsy driving is incredibly dangerous. If you feel yourself beginning to nod off or get tired, pull over to rest. Either take a quick nap, or get out of the car to stretch and do some jumping jacks. It’s so much safer to listen to your body than try and power through. 

Our means of escape may be limited to destinations within driving distance, but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on all the fun. These supplies and tips will help set you up for a successful and healthy road trip.