Vacations are often filled with strong visions of long hours spent reclining by the beach or lounging poolside sipping drinks from a coconut, but going on holiday doesn’t have to mean you forsake exercise and wellness. There are plenty of ways to combine health and travel in order to create a memorable trip that introduces you to new sites, exciting experiences and leaves you feeling fantastic both physically and mentally. Whether it’s the location itself or what you pack in your suitcase, here are six essential tips for a healthy vacation.

Jungle Rejuvenation

The Jungle Bay Resort and Spa in Point Mulatre, Dominica, offers incredible treks through the stunning jungle where you can pass the White River, traverse beneath majestic waterfalls and experience raw, exotic nature at its finest. You can also sip an endless supply of freshly made fruit drinks, dine on organic meals and get your body fine-tuned through the spa’s various massage and treatment packages.

Track Your Steps

There are plenty of apps you can download for free that will allow you to track how much you’ve walked on your vacation, and this can be especially rewarding when you’re hitting the great outdoors. If you want to stay healthy and do some good for your body while taking in incredible scenery, consider a mountain or wilderness vacation and use an app like Fitbit. This app allows you to not just track all your steps while carrying your phone, but also keep note of your sleep patterns, workouts and more.

Stretch Into Wellness

A yoga mat can be rolled up and easily placed in a carry-on bag and serve as the perfect way for you to start every morning on vacation. There are beginner’s routines onnline that range anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes that will help you emotionally prepare for the day, as well as stretch your muscles and target specific areas of the body.

Get to Know the Land

Whether you’re only travelling a couple states or flying halfway across the world, get to know how the locals stay in shape. You can practice yoga in India, learn tai chi in China, go rock climbing in Colorado or explore Oregon’s incredible nature with a hike. There are as many new health opportunities as there are places to visit.

Meditation in the Middle East

Religion and spirituality are two vastly different concepts, and many are surprised to learn how exclusive the two are. You don’t have to be Buddhist to practice meditation. It’s an ancient practice that has helped people for thousands of years and is still used today to help people clear their minds, cope with anxiety and depression and improve their overall emotional well-being, which can lead to a greater physical form. There are many places in the Middle East where you can discover history. For example, you can learn about the history and importance of frankincense essential oil like D Gary Young did from the ancient frankincense trail. Traditionally used in religious ceremonies, this oil is now being utilized to treat dry and aging skin and is to enhance one’s spiritual clarity and decrease stress and depression.

Make Your Vacation All About Fitness

This is for those who are most committed to reaching their full fitness potential during their time off. Organize your next trip around a fitness event like a charity run or an obstacle course like the Spartan Race or Tough Mudder.

At the end of the day, you can only be as fit as you feel inside. A vacation isn’t just a chance to take your mind off work, but also readjust your thinking patterns and turn your brain into a more active and productive workspace. When you steer your mind in the right direction and surround yourself with new activities in a foreign place, traveling healthy isn’t just good for you – it’s fun!