Calm in the Chaos - Tips for a Better Life
Healthy Vacation Travel Tips
by Jamie Spannhake
July 09, 2019
While lots of things about vacation are great, getting to your destination can be stressful. Depending on where you start and where you're going, roads and airports are crowded, the weather is not always cooperative, and travel days are long. But don’t let vacation travel negatively affect you. Stay healthy with these tips.
1. Keep healthy snacks with you. When hunger strikes, you may not have any healthy options available, especially on a delayed airplane or long car ride. This can be particularly disastrous if you are traveling with children. Avoid getting "hangry" by keeping snacks with you. Healthy options include fruit, nuts, and bottled water. If you must eat the airline snack, pick the one with the highest amount of protein – probably the peanuts – because it will sustain you longer. And if you will be flying during a regular meal time, purchase something healthy in the airport before you board the plane.
2. Take vitamins and drink water. You are more susceptible to colds and other illnesses, as well as headaches and fatigue, when you travel because the associated stress can suppress your immune system. You can avoid these problems by ensuring you have sufficient nutrients and stay hydrated. Take your multi-vitamin and drink non-sugary drinks (preferably water) every day, at least 64 ounces. And limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine (at least on your travel days!) as they are both dehydrating.
3. Wash your hands, a lot. When you travel, you are touching a lot of surfaces that everyone else touched too, and at least one of those people was probably sick. Keep the germs away by washing your hands frequently, especially before you eat as most germs enter the body through the mouth and nose. Also try not to touch your face, nose, mouth, or eyes. Encourage your kids to follow this tip too, as a sick kid on vacation is no fun for anyone.
4. Move. Get creative and incorporate movement into your travel day. While traveling, don’t sit and wait at the airport, instead go for a walk. Walk up the escalator instead of riding it. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Reserve an aisle seat so you can walk the aisles of the airplane periodically. When driving, stop at a rest area and walk or jog around.
Getting to your vacation destination can be much more enjoyable when you feel well, so take steps to stay healthy.
A longer version of this post first appeared at Attorney at Work.
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