You get to go on that incredible vacation or need to travel to another city for some important work, but then you catch a nasty cold or put on a few pounds. This is due to the fact that travel can expose you to numerous germs and viruses and disrupt your diet and exercise regimen. So the question then becomes how to stay healthy while traveling.
You can take steps to ensure your travels are pleasant if you want to avoid getting sick while traveling. So, this article will tell you all the tips & steps you need to follow while traveling to stay healthy.
How to Stay Healthy While Traveling?
1) Get Good & Enough Sleep
Changing time zones can throw off a person’s circadian rhythm, which, in turn, can weaken their immune system, as was shown in a study published in 2015.
Adjusting your sleep and wake schedule one week before departure will help you adjust more easily to your destination’s time zone. However, if that’s not an option, try to limit yourself to a light snack before takeoff, drink plenty of water, and stay away from the booze and caffeine.
2) Stay Hydrated
Water makes up about 60 percent of your body, so keeping yourself adequately hydrated is crucial for optimal health. The process of getting from point A to point B can be quite drying. Humidity levels in an airplane cabin are, at most, 50 percent of what they are at home.
Try to take in 8 ounces of water every hour while in flight. Drinking alcohol causes dehydration, so alcoholics need to drink more water. While in flight, it’s best to abstain from alcoholic beverages. If you must imbibe, do so sparingly.
3) Walk
Physical activity is beneficial whether you’re at home or on the road. For example, walking instead of taking the elevator whenever possible and using the stairs instead of the elevator are great ways to get some exercise when you can’t make it to the gym.
4) Pack sanitizing wipes
According to research conducted by Travelmath, the tray table (yes, the one you use to eat off of) is the dirtiest location on an airplane. The seatbelt buckle, the air vent above you, and the toilet flush button are all other potential germ hotspots.
If you take the time to clean the surfaces with an antibacterial wipe, you may be able to avoid getting sick from a cold, the flu, or something else entirely.
5) Pack Your Own Snacks
Packing your own snacks can help you avoid overspending and overeating on sugary snacks while on the go. When you first arrive in town, visit the grocery store and market to stock up on your favorite healthy snacks. Include fresh fruit (such as apples), protein bars, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, jerky, etc.
6) Get Vaccinated
While the United States has made great strides toward eradicating many potentially fatal diseases like polio and measles, many other countries have not been as successful. Therefore, check your vaccination records to ensure your safety.
Moreover, some vaccines that aren’t required in the United States may be helpful if you’re traveling to certain countries.
7) Carry Your Own Meds
If you have a preexisting health condition, such as diabetes or asthma, make sure you have a sufficient amount of your medications. And if you’re traveling by air, pack the medications in your carry-on bag if, by chance, your checked luggage gets lost.
8) Stretch Your Legs
When traveling long distances by car or airplane, it is easy to develop a blood clot in your legs due to the extended periods of sitting. Take breaks every hour to get out and stretch your legs. If you want to prevent blood from pooling in your legs while flying, you might want to invest in a pair of compression stockings.
You should talk to your doctor about taking blood thinners or wearing medical-grade compression stockings if you have experienced a blood clot before going on a trip.
9) Avoid The Crowds
Before you even step foot on a plane, you can start making your trips less stressful by flying on a less busy day. According to Expedia, the least popular day to fly is Tuesday, while Friday is the busiest. So, by traveling during the week, you’ll avoid peak travel periods and, as a result, the crowds that come with them.
10) Watch Out On What You Eat & Drink
If you’re visiting a developing nation, don’t eat anything that hasn’t been properly cooked. Also, it’s important to remember that the water from the tap may not be suitable for consumption in some foreign countries, so you may want to bring your own bottled water. Finally, as a side note, ice cubes are common offenders sneaking up on you.
It’s tempting to indulge in every meal while on vacation, especially if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, but doing so can leave you feeling sluggish and waste your time.
11) Protect Your Skin
Avoid getting a painful sunburn that will ruin your vacation. Instead, protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA & UVB rays by packing a hat, an umbrella, and a high-SPF sunscreen. Even though the burn will heal on its own, the increased risk of skin cancer will remain unless you take precautions.
12) Wash Your Hands Often
This may seem obvious, but it could be your best defense against getting sick on the road. Think about all the places people touch in an airport or plane, such as the door handles, dining trays and tables, ticket kiosks, ATMs, security-line bins, etc., and how full of germs they are likely to be.
Take disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer containing at least 50% alcohol with you if you can’t get frequent access to a sink to wash your hands.
These are the 12 tips you should always follow if you want to know how to stay healthy while traveling. So good luck with your travels & wish you good health!