New Year's Resolution: How To Make Travel a Priority in the Year Ahead

 New Year's Resolution: Travel

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Travel more this year!

The word travel conjures up images of luxurious locations.  Americans are known for leaving vacation time on the table.  Taking time off benefits you beyond finding a new location.  Vacations improve mental health, productivity, heart health, decrease stress, and boost energy.  

Make 2023 the year that you create a different type of statistic - the year that you discover new places to which you have never been AND improve your health in the process.

1. Travel locally.

Duluth Pack Wanderer

Unless you are a local guide, chances are that there are places still left to be explored.  While planning out your year, include places locally to which you can travel on a tankful.  Explore outside of your comfort zone.  You are still close to home, which will help when you travel farther out than the tankful.

Duluth Pack's Wanderer is made specifically for these day-long or weekend trips.  Keep it handy for your next adventure.

Find a park.  Find a museum.  Discover and share what makes your area so fabulous.

2. Make your plans NOW!

Erin Condren Travel Planner

While the desire to travel is fresh in your head, make your plans NOW!  When you lay out your year in travel, you can take advantage of events, deals and weather (cruise during the height of hurricane season?).

3. Get TSA pre-checked.

photo credit: Top: Frost River Luggage Tag; 

Bottom: Tough Traveler Passport Wallet

If your trip is more than a tankful and you have to fly, apply for 

TSA PreCheck®.  Here are a few facts to know:

• Over 200 airports and 85 airlines participate 
• 91% of TSA PreCheck® passengers waited less than 5 minutes
• No need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts and light jackets

4. Go camping.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P Tent

Camping lends a new perspective to the cliche of the sky being your limit.  In this case, there is no limit as to what you can learn by going camping.  The distractions of everyday life are replaced with opportunities to work together, or become one with nature.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear has your back with its Unbound 2P Tent, made in the USA.  It sleeps 1-2 people and is ideal for long-distance backpacking.

5. Go On A Yoga Retreat.

A yoga retreat sets your journey of being focused and centered.  Spend time being mindful of your breath and heartbeat, your stress leaving your body.  The peaceful environment lends itself to new perspective.  This creates a time of reflection to deepen your practice of yoga.  A shared social aspect opens opportunities to meet like-minded people and share meals over new experiences.