By: Matt Preston

Traveling back in the day was definitely a different journey compared to today. Parents would pack their kids up in their oversized cars, seatbelts optional. Coolers would be filled with soda and snacks that had more high fructose corn syrup than Pontiac’s on the road. Mom’s and Dad’s would light their cigarettes and crack a couple of the windows, the car smelling of smoke as opposed to the Tahitian vanilla or whatever vape pens put out now.

However since time is always forward marching, so is the progress in which things change. And that was what crossed my mind during a trip from South Jersey to Massachusetts a while back. Alone with my thoughts as I pursued a potential path for a creative project, I snacked on granola and dark chocolate because why not. There was some singing along to country songs, done poorly. And where I wasn’t necessarily homesick, I did become aware of how far I was when my last radio preset went to static.

Now maybe this is just me, but when traveling out of state I tend to perk up a little, or at least note the fellow Jersey tags on the road. It’s usually associated with tailgating the person in front of them, and or an all around annoyed energy due to being from a state with more superfund sites than Chernobyl. And that right there is a primary component of traveling healthy; don’t lower your vibe because of things you can’t control.

It’s also good, for any number of reasons, to take healthier snacks and drinks with you, so you don’t have to worry about that sugar crash later on. As I found out twice, once when my cell battery died and another time when I lost my GPS signal, you really need to be on your A game. In other words, you never want to see ‘GPS Signal Lost’ when you’re on the GW Bridge to NYC.

The soda option is always a standard go to, but first why go to that well worn route and second; do you really want your stomach filled with something that can clean a toilet overnight? And it’s not as if there aren’t already plenty of far healthier options to consume while driving. From smoothies made with real fruits to green tea, soy or almond milk that’s probably best to drink quickly, or just good old fashioned water; it really does beat going the sugary route.

It’s also vital to be well rested before a multi hour trip, because depending on how long it is and the traffic involved, by the time you get to your stop you’re definitely ready to take it easy. Sure the temptation is to throw caution to the wind and not worry about that as fine, you’ll be doing a lot of sitting; but do you really feel the need to live your own version of the scene from Planes Trains And Automobiles because of being overtired?

As for my trip, when I finally got to the Red Roof Inn, it would have been easy to go to the fast food places in the area or enjoy their stale donuts and watered down coffee. However the choice was made to not steer into that bad decision and instead finish the granola and dark chocolate. Now that right there may not be a great decision either; but it’s better than the alternative, and or trying to salvage ‘fresh fruit’ that is no longer fresh due to the overuse of chemicals and pesticides.

Either way, having found that antique shops are to Mass like diners are to Jersey, I began the next day with tired spirits but a good energy. Because traveling while healthy isn’t just about what you fuel your body with, but the positive or negative energy that goes along with you on the journey. And if getting stuck on the Jersey Turnpike teaches you anything; it’s better to just breathe fully, find your center, embrace the good, and laugh off the construction delay you’ll inevitably find yourself in.

Matt Preston is a creative and professional writer from Gloucester Township in South Jersey. Writing is one of his passions, body mind and soul wellness one of his goals, and belief in destiny his continual motivation. His website and podcast can be found @TheApatheticVegan.com.