Healthy On The Road :: Exercise For The Rhythms Of Life

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First things First: Happy Independence day to our American readers!!!

Exercise can serve many purposes: sustaining long-term health, meeting short-term energy needs or simply providing a great opportunity to socialize with friends. One of its greatest functions in my life is to help me find my bearings and hit the proverbial “reset button” on life. For this purpose, it is an uninterrupted and rhythmic, run, swim or cycle.

While the escape from routine is one of the best things about traveling, it can also disrupt the regular rhythms of the mind, body and spirit. It's in these rhythmical and repetitive activities where I often gain clarity of mind, find inspiration to try something new or solve a problem. It can be a time to plan, brainstorm or take a mental break from thinking! More importantly, exercise can anchor your body into the rhythms of your non-traveling life and help you get back into an exercise routine as soon as you return from a trip.

In 2009, my husband and I traveled to Thailand to adopt our son. Obviously, this was a trip like no other. As brand new parents operating outside our home turf, we experienced some serious sensory overload---needless to say, my workout escapes became essential!

Depending on where we were staying, I would escape to the gym, the pool or outside for a run---even just for 30 minutes a day---and return to my family with my battery recharged and my mind renewed. Lost baggage? Challenging flight with kids? Early morning wake-up call? ....BRING.IT.ON! When we’re operating on a full strength battery, we are that much better equipped to embrace the joys and challenges of travel {and life}!

{When she’s not training clients or being trained by her dog Zuzu, Leah writes Healthy on the Road, published the first Wednesday of every month.}

More Healthy On The Road 5 Reasons To Go Summer Hiking Back At It Give The Pool A Chance – A Workout In The Water The 20-min Exercise Itinerary Healthy DIY Plane Snacks Hotel Room Exercises {You can do in your underwear}

[photo by @tripstyler]