It’s an age-old story. You finally get to go on that wonderful vacation, only to catch a nasty cold or gain a few extra pounds. Traveling can expose you to a wide range of germs and viruses, as well as disrupt your diet and exercise regimen.
Whether you want to avoid getting sick while traveling or simply want to stay as healthy as possible.
Sleep
When you’re tired, you’re more likely to get sick, so don’t skimp on sleep while traveling. Being on the road is also more physically exhausting than being at home, so listen to your body and rest when necessary.
Walk
Exercise is beneficial to your health whether you are at home or on the road. If you can’t find time to go to the gym while away from home, find other ways to move your body, such as walking everywhere you can and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Consume breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, particularly when traveling. Instead of starting your day on an empty stomach, fuel up with healthy options like fruit, cereal, or oatmeal before you leave the house.
Consume plenty of water
It’s easy to become dehydrated while traveling, so drink plenty of fluids. Begin your day with a large glass of water, and keep a water bottle with you at all times.
Limit your intake of sweets and alcohol
While traveling, it can be tempting to overindulge, but those extra drinks and desserts can lead to unwanted weight gain and sleep disruption.
Consume sugar and alcohol in moderation to be safe.
Consume nutritious foods
Staying healthy while traveling is all about making healthy choices, which includes selecting the appropriate dishes when dining out. Choose options that include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
You can also ensure that you are eating healthy foods by preparing your own meals. Even if you don’t have a kitchen, you can stock up on fresh ingredients and prepare quick meals like salads and sandwiches. Don’t forget to stock up on apples, oranges, bananas, and nuts to keep your energy levels up while you’re on the go.
Please wash your hands
Every day, you come into contact with a lot of germs and bacteria, and your exposure only increases when you travel. Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, and keep wet wipes or hand sanitizer on hand to freshen up when soap and water aren’t available.
This may seem obvious, but it could be your best defense against staying healthy while traveling. Consider the number of germs lurking in airports and airplanes where so many people touch things like door handles, dining trays and tables, ticket kiosks, ATMs, security-line bins, and so on. If you are unable to wash your hands frequently, carry hand sanitizer containing at least 50% alcohol or disinfecting wipes with you. If you can’t wash your hands frequently, at least avoid touching your nose and mouth.
Don’t go overboard
When traveling, it’s easy to burn the candle at both ends, but this can exhaust you and leave you vulnerable to infections. Instead, pace yourself and take your time exploring.
Combat jet lag
Jet lag can derail your best efforts to stay healthy while traveling and interfere with your ability to have fun. To avoid jet lag, try taking melatonin or drinking chamomile tea before your flight and for the first few evenings after arriving at your destination.
You should also avoid alcoholic and caffeine-containing beverages because they can interfere with your sleep. Instead, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. And, as tempting as it may be, don’t sleep in when you first arrive. Try to establish a sleep pattern appropriate for your current location.
Consume healthily
Maintaining a healthy diet will keep you healthy all year, especially while traveling. Eating a well-balanced diet, with an emphasis on the whole and immune-boosting foods, can help your immune system fight infection. You’ll know how to stay healthy while traveling if you follow these simple tips.
Get moving
Walking, walking, walking is one of the best ways to discover a new location. Pack some comfortable walking shoes so you can get some exercise. Other forms of exercise, such as swimming and biking, are also beneficial, particularly during the summer months. Find out if your hotel has a pool, or better yet, book a hotel with a pool if possible. Whatever exercise you choose, the most important thing is to incorporate it into your day and do it.
Take care of yourself
Traveling will provide you with numerous food options. Allowing yourself to try or eat something because it isn’t the healthiest option will only make you crave it more and deprive you of the chance to try something new. Allow yourself that experience and consider compensating elsewhere (for example, make yourself a lighter/healthier dinner that night, make sure you’re meeting your step goals for the day, skip the glass of wine at lunch, etc.).
Before you leave, take care of your teeth
Dental problems can occur at any time, and finding dental care in a foreign country can be difficult, so your best bet is to avoid problems as much as possible by allowing your dentist to examine you first.
Dental care abroad can be prohibitively expensive, and it can be difficult to locate a reputable dental clinic, particularly in rural or remote areas. There is also a small risk of contamination and disease transmission in dental surgeries, which can be increased in certain countries.
Even if your problem is minor, such as a toothache, it can cause you to be in pain and ruin your trip, or force you to spend time getting it fixed rather than having fun. We highly recommend dentist in Gilbert if you are looking for a good dentist.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.