When you travel, especially long term, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed that you may have lost weight or gained muscle mass and that you feel good, you feel happier than you have in years, maybe you’re trying things you otherwise wouldn’t have even attempted, all in all, you feel great. So how did this happen and how do you keep it up once you get home?

Physical Health: Good physical health is something we all strive for. There are many ways to keep up good physical health once you get home. Eating the right foods and making sure you’re not having too much sugar or salt, cutting down on snacking can also help with making sure you eat properly.

Other things you can do include walking more, if you really want to get serious try walking (or jogging) with a backpack with some stuff in it to give it some weight, it simulates what usually happens during backpacking, known to some as “rucking” it can build your endurance, some even say it prevents/relieves back pain, and it burns more calories as you have to use more energy to get around than usual.

As long as you have a backpack available it’s fairly inexpensive and you can carry work out gear, so you can go to a park or a friend’s place or a gym to exercise after your walk. When the pack is full you can also use it as a weight and do some reps, lift it above your head or try squatting with it on your back. Start slowly with this so you don’t add too much weight too quick, it could cause injury and that’s not something anyone wants.

Mental Health: The reason mental health is second as opposed to first is because many of the things that improve your physical health also improve your mental health. Staying active, eating well, taking a break from the daily stresses are all good ways to keep your mental health up. A few more ways you can improve your mental health include things like:

• time without your phone, many studies have shown links to negative health effects and our phone uses. I would also say no electronics for at least an hour a week if you’re up to try it.
• Spend time with friends and loved ones who support you
• See a therapist if you can and talk to them about any issues you might have
• Spend some time in nature. Go to a park or go camping or just go for a walk in a green area, studies have linked to not only destressing but also helping your immune system, improve memory, its also been said to eliminate fatigue and it may help to fight depression and anxiety
• Try a new activity, when you travel you tried new things, so why wouldn’t you do the same at home? Things like yoga, meditation, dance classes and pole dancing among other activities are gaining in popularity, look up what’s available around you and try something new!
• Be a tourist where you live! We never really get to appreciate the beauty of the place we live, so take some time to go to museums and local historic sites and enjoy a little stay-cation.

Personally, I felt benefits almost as soon as I quit my job. By the time I returned home almost 80 days later I had lost 40 lbs and my mind was much more clear and everything was much better than when I had left.

While the pounds slowly crept back on, I’ve gained about 25 pounds back 2 years after I came home, the mental benefits have stayed for the most part, and I greatly hope to keep them.