“Cold weather might be a problem on any hiking trip at any time of year, not just in the dead of winter. Depending on your location and the area you’re hiking in, you may come across chilly weather at any time of year, which might make your journey uncomfortable or, worst yet, result in a significant injury or disease,” says Gayatri Mohanty.

Check the weather and trail conditions in advance

Being aware of the weather is one of the most essential winter hiking tips because it can affect the trail by covering it with new snow, which can be quite confusing while you are hiking. Knowing the weather conditions also makes it easier to avoid hiking when there are strong winds, chances of heavy snowfall, or poor visibility. It is therefore advisable to be aware of the anticipated temperatures and wind speed ahead. You can always hike safely in the snow if you follow our advice.

Maintain Constant Hydration

When trekking in the cold, always make sure you have an insulated bottle and a bottle sleeve with you. If you do this while hiking in bitterly cold weather, the water won’t freeze. If you forget to bring an insulated bottle on your trek or don’t have one, you can also use a spare sock or wrap the water bottle in a towel to keep it warm and insulated.

Carry the Proper Winter Hiking Equipment

If your upcoming trip includes hiking paths, you must pack the appropriate winter hiking equipment. When hiking, wearing the appropriate shoes, bag, jacket, and even jeans can make a big impact. The most important thing to remember when trekking in the snow is to keep yourself warm. You can begin by donning a base layer, followed by a fleece jacket that serves as your intermediate layer, and finally a jacket or down jacket that will aid in insulation and safeguard your body from the cold. Softshell trousers are typically advised when trekking in the winter because they are great at maintaining body heat at all times and shielding you from severe winds and snow.

Pack extra equipment

A fire starter, first aid kit, pocket knife, emergency blanket, waterproof matches, and a waterproof backpack are a few other items you can bring with you on your trek. Bringing an extra kit on your hike will always come in handy and be beneficial for surviving in adverse weather. When you are trekking in snow, all of these things will make a huge impact. Since trekking in snow can be slick and slushy when the snow is melting, they also give you protection and a better grip on the snow.

For your winter hike, bring snacks

During your hikes, it’s critical to keep yourself hydrated and energised at all times. Your body often needs twice as many calories to stay warm and hydrated while trekking in the winter as it does at other times of the year. In order to keep energised at all times, be sure to pack yourself some meals that are both very nutritional and protein-rich. Organic pumpkin seeds, granola bars, protein bars, and even your own homemade trail mix are all suitable for carrying as cold-weather snacks.

Consistently keep your feet warm

While snowshoeing, it’s crucial to keep your feet warm. Make sure you include several pairs of wool-based hiking socks that will keep moisture off of your damp skin. In the event that it gets wet while you’re hiking, it dries rapidly and also aids in heat insulation. When trekking, snow is kept off of your feet at all times by donning hiking boots that go up to the ankle. A pair of gaiters, which save your feet from getting buried in the snow, is another item you can get. As you’ll be spending a lot of time in your boots during your winter excursions, it’s ideal to wear comfy ones.

Hike during the daytime

When we hike on our trails in the summer, we often try to stay out of the sun. In contrast, hiking in the winter is completely different. To feel the warmth of the sun in the chilly months, we would basically do anything. You’ll be able to stay warm and have a better time hiking if you plan your hikes for when the sun is out and blazing brightly in the sky. Due to the drop in temperature in the evening, it is also recommended that you schedule your hikes so that you begin early and finish before the sun sets.

Going on vacation and taking a break from your hectic life can make a big difference in your overall well-being. Know from an expert, how taking regular vacations helps in keeping one mentally healthy.

With our busy social lives and today’s high-stress environment, it could be difficult to find time for a vacation. Travel has a significant connection to brain health and provides a number of cognitive benefits when you step outside your comfort zone and interact with new people and settings. People tend to become more reflective and introspective when they travel, possibly to the point where they reassess their priorities and goals. Therefore, going on vacation and taking a break from your busy schedule can make a big difference in your overall physical and mental health.

Ekta Mohanani Kamra, Travelling Enthusiast and Founder of Hop and Bop, shared some amazing benefits of taking regular vacations for your mental health.

1. Vacations reduce stress

One of the main factors that cause mental and physical sickness is stress, but you may actively combat this by travelling more. You can relax and recharge on vacations by taking your mind off of your regular activities. Travelling makes the stressors in your daily life seem far away, which makes them easier to understand when you go home.

2. Makes one resilient

We all understand that vacations aren’t always easygoing because of unforeseen costs, flight delays, and logistical difficulties. Although at first, this could seem frustrating, the uncertainty of travel adds to its exhilaration, and these challenges help you become more resilient.

3. Vacations help one connect with others

Many of us form close bonds with the familiar social networks we have at our homes, families, and places of employment. However, when you travel, you eventually come across strangers who may not appear, sound, or behave like you or the members of your usual social circle. We have fantastic opportunities to learn about various cultures and ways of life while on vacation.

4. Helps achieve peace of mind

Your cure is to travel! Travelling can make you disengaged from your daily routine. Once you quit the repetitive pattern, pack your things, and depart, your mind might reset. Through travelling to new places, meeting new people, and overcoming challenges, you could even come to value what you have left behind. It can help you take a moment to think about the things and people you miss. You can think back on all the good things that have happened to you and get a new perspective on your life.

5. Enhance your creativity

The fact that travelling forces you to step outside of your comfort zone is one of its biggest advantages. Everything appears new and fresh when travelling, especially if you are going to a place you have never been before.

6. Improves cognition

Travel improves cognition by providing the brain with unique experiences. You need the ingenuity to find a solution when you run into fresh challenges. The result is that the brain creates fresh neural connections that result in unique cognition.

In general, being able to travel is a true blessing. Many people lack the opportunity to do it. Those that get the chance experience excitement in their lives and gain new knowledge as a result. No matter how enjoyable or unpleasant your travel experience is, it will definitely teach you some valuable lessons about life.

Travelling has two sides. On one hand, it proves to be enriching and fulfilling for the mind and body, while on the other hand, it can be stressful. Sudden changes in environment, diet, and lifestyle, while travelling can lead to digestive issues and improper bowel movements.

Difficulty in moving bowels while travelling can immediately bring a fun trip to a halt. However, due to changes in place and time, it is entirely common for our bodies to take time and adapt to new surroundings.

Hence, we may face issues of constipation till our bodies adapt to the changing environment. But thankfully, with the proper introduction of a few changes in diet and lifestyle, you can keep your gut healthy while you are on the go.

So, to keep yourself from dealing with digestive issues, consider the following expert tips:

Handwash

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or sanitiser before you sit to eat at a restaurant. The change in habit will help you avoid spreading germs and illnesses. Keep a sanitiser handy.

Drink adequate water

Drink as much water as possible. Whether you travel by car, plane, or any other mode, as we move around, our bodies get weak and dehydrated, so drinking water while vacationing is a must.

Choose high-fibre food

To maintain your bowel movements, eat lots of fibre. The best sources to include in your diet while travelling is fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans.

Best time for bowel movement

To move bowels, go to the washroom at a particular time in the day, preferably right in the morning after you wake up. If you do so, your body will get used to it and make it a daily habit.

Pick your beverage wisely

Avoid overconsumption of drinks, which are high in sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Such drinks can irritate the GI system, especially for those with a sensitive stomach.

All rules go out the door when we’re on vacation; every meal is a cheat meal, and exercise routines are put on pause. Experiencing local food is a key part of travelling, and who has time to hit the gym when there’s barely enough time to explore? Some healthy food boundaries and a bit of exercise during the trip can help you feel less guilty about indulging when it’s time to ease back into your daily life.

Here, we look at a few tips on how to stay healthy during your holiday.

Plan your itinerary around different activities

Let’s be honest; who has time to hit the gym when you’ve got a full day of delicious food and island hopping ahead of you? If you’re going on multi-day trips, plan to split up the more strenuous activities like hiking and sightseeing over several days instead of cramming them all into one day. This way, you won’t wear yourself out with full days of walking around while spending some days just lounging around on a beach. Getting visiting local markets or even exploring shopping malls is a great way to get your steps in.

Stay hydrated

Even if you’re just spending a day by the pool, staying hydrated is important, especially when you’re out in the sun all day. We often mistake our thirst for hunger; you might find that drinking a glass of water can and having some fruits and light snacks be enough to tie you over between meals.

Go easy on the alcohol

Try not to drink more than you usually would at home. It’s a major cause of dehydration, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keeping to two drinks per day, with plenty of water in between, is ideal.

Eat everything, but not too much

Moderation is key when it comes to cheat meals. Embrace trying foods you might not be reaching for at home. A great way to balance an indulgent local feast is to start a meal with a salad or vegetables, which should be available at most restaurants and eateries. This is an excellent way to avoid overeating too quickly.

Stay away from the mini-bar

It might be tempting to reach for those tiny bottles of wine or the min bags of chips, but why waste your appetite on snacks when you should be out enjoying local cuisine? Instead, make sure you have plenty of water stocked and if you’re really craving a snack, opt for some local fruit instead.

Walk whenever possible

With limited time in a city, we often hurry from one site to another and opt for the quickest mode of transportation. But if your destination is within 20 minutes of walking distance, try getting there on foot instead. On these walks that are less travelled by tourists, we often get a glimpse of local life; you’ll find exploring alleyways and residential areas give you a more accurate snapshot of a city.

Prepare for a good night’s sleep

We’re creatures of habit and may have problems falling asleep when not in our own beds. Why not bring a little bit of that with you? If luggage space allows, pack your pillow to make that hotel bed more inviting. Otherwise, bring a pillowcase from home.