When pizza is the answer: Three travel hacks to try
Whether you’re headed home after a holiday break or starting a well-deserved vacation, traveling can be just as rewarding as it can be exhausting.
From figuring out which train to take to planning a lunchtime meal stop, even the smallest of tasks can be draining. And what happens when we’re wiped out? Our decision-making ability declines and we’re more tempted to reach for whatever is within reach. Even though we may be more active, trying to stay on track with our health can quickly become overwhelming.
This past spring, my husband and I visited Japan. A vegan at the time, I was slightly worried about not being able to find food while exploring this seafood-rich country. I considered packing a few snacks but ultimately decided not to since we were agreed to only take one carry-on each. (Fun fact: While initially, I was strongly opposed to my husband’s “one carry-on” rule, it did become handy when traveling via train). Here are three lessons I learned and how you can travel better this new year.
Use an app to (loosely) plan meals
Who needs a plan when free-roaming deer are bounding about? The day we visited the famed deer-filled city of Nara, we didn’t have a straightforward plan for sightseeing.
We got up early and took the train from Osaka, exploring the temples and parks as we went. When lunchtime rolled around, we were stuck scrambling.
Tourist season was in full swing and places were packed. After snacking all day, I was in the mood for more of a substantial meal. I opened the HappyCow app and was pleasantly surprised to see a vegan-friendly restaurant a few blocks away pop up. It was tucked up on the second story of a small building on a side street. Without the app, chances are we wouldn’t have stumbled across it.
While I loved being able to pick up street food across Japan, the app helped uncover hidden gems we might not have otherwise encountered.
2. Buy one thing
To help save money and free up storage space, I implemented a new rule for myself. Each trip, I buy one thing that I love. we’ve all there, impulsively buying things from stores that sell things we don’t need
It’s all too easy to get sucked into the souvenir trap. Did I need a tea towel with the Tokyo skyline? No. Another heavy coffee table book? Definitely not. Admiring the simple yet elegant style of the women we saw, I opted for simple wide, ankle-length navy blue cotton pants.
Bonus: they were carry-on-friendly and unbreakable. Now, each time I wear them, I’m reminded of the adventures we had during that trip. Plus, our bookshelf is happily free from one more trinket.
3. Be open-minded
While we both love to travel, my husband and I approach it differently. Since he travels most weeks for work, he values not being on the road and constantly on the go. When we travel together, he’s not one to pack in a dozen tourist attractions into a single day.
Through him, I’ve learned the value of taking the morning to grab coffee at a local spot, perhaps go for a quick run, starting the day slowly and refreshed.
And while this challenges my “must-see everything” mindset, it ultimately leads to feeling like I’m on vacation when we’re on vacation.
This new attitude bled into my food choices and I decided not to be overly particular while abroad. Since I don’t eat fish or meat, finding foods that I could eat was sometimes challenging (and mildly frustrating for my husband). This lead to eating, some would argue a surprisingly high volume of, pizza while in Japan. And while cheese isn’t on my menu at home, the straightforward nature of the food made it both appealing and comforting. After a long day, it was hard to beat the tasty trio of bread, cheese, and sauce.
Bottom line: Have a plan and don’t stress if you stray from it
While a little stress is expected while traveling, exploring new cities, cultures, and foods should be enjoyable.
Free yourself from feeling overwhelmed by challenging your current mindset and adopting a new one. What’s one small change you can do while planning for or on your next trip?
Take the morning to find a local cafe. Skip that long museum line and use an app to discover a new restaurant or local attraction. Forget the souvenir shops and search for one thing that brings you joy, now and in the future.
You might be surprised by how one small change, like choosing pizza, can make a difference to your health and happiness while away.