Six Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling
Everyone looks forward to vacation. Traveling is relaxing and fun, but it is also a good opportunity for germs to invade your body while you’re immune system is off guard. While on vacation, you’re out of your normal routine and exposed to different foods and people, which can make you more susceptible to illness. That’s why it’s important to take steps to keep yourself healthy while traveling. Here are six ways to ensure your body is in tip-top shape during your next vacation.
01. Take Care of Your Digestive System
Eating whatever you want and exploring different food options is some people’s favorite part of vacation. But, eating foods you’re not used to or eating more than you’re used to can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Having stomach issues while on vacation is less than pleasant. Taking digestive probiotics can help make digestion easier. If you don’t typically take probiotics, you’ll want to start taking them several weeks before you leave for your trip. It will take time for your gut to become healthy. You’ll also want to be sure the probiotic you’re choosing is right for you and that they are safe for you to take.
02. Stay Hydrated
If your vacation schedule is packed, it can be easy to forget to drink water like you should. Many people also opt for an alcoholic beverage instead of a boring old glass of water. It’s important to remember to keep hydrated throughout your trip, especially if you plan to travel by plane. Be sure to keep a water bottle with you or purchase water on a regular basis. If you’re traveling to an area where you’re not sure about the quality of the drinking water, it’s best to opt for bottled water to avoid any bacteria consumption.
03. Prevent Dry Skin
Part of staying healthy involves keeping your skin hydrated and nourished. Due to changes in elevation and extreme temperature changes, flying can cause your skin to become dry. As a result, it’s important to stay hydrated during your flight and apply lotion as often as possible. You’ll want to find some TSA approved lotion to carry with you on your flight. Once you land, you can soak yourself in a salt bath to help relax tired muscles and rejuvenate your skin. You may even want to hit the hotel spa to treat yourself to a luxurious massage and facial. Starting your trip out with glowing skin not only helps you look your best, but it helps ensure you’re staying as healthy and relaxed as possible.
04. Keep Yourself Free of Germs
This can be difficult to do, especially if you are visiting an area tourists flock to. You’ll want to ensure you carry hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes with you everywhere you go. Make sure that you use these things regularly, especially after using public restrooms and before eating a meal. You’ll be thankful that you did.
05. Be Sure to Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep can be tough when you’re traveling. You’re out of your normal routine and in a new place, which can make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep. To help ensure you’re well rested, you can request a quiet room so you won’t be disturbed by the chatter in the hallway, ice machines, elevator noises, or excessive traffic noise. You can also call ahead to ensure your room has heavy shades to keep out unwanted sunlight or light from streetlights. Although many hotel rooms come equipped with these, a good many do not. Wearing an eye mask can be a helpful alternative.
If noise bothers you while trying to fall asleep, be sure to bring headphones or earplugs to muffle noise and help you relax. If you’ll be traveling somewhere outside of your normal time zone, you’ll also want to ensure that your phone is silenced. Otherwise, you may get unwanted alerts and insane hours of the night. If all fails and you don’t get the sleep you need, be sure to take it easy for a day or two until you can get into the habit of sleeping well in your new surroundings.
06. Be Aware of Changes in Climate
Your vacation destination might be having weather that’s extremely different from where you live. Drastic changes in weather can cause illness, so be sure to be mindful of this when traveling. It’s important to keep yourself warm when you are cold and cool off if you get too hot. Make sure you pack layers and consider how warm or cold it will be at your destination. If you’re flying on a plane, it’s important to ensure you have the appropriate clothing or layers with you at your seat to avoid getting too hot or cold.
Vacation is an opportunity for you to relax and enjoy yourself, but you won’t be able to do that if you’re lying in bed sick the entire time. Not to mention, getting sick after you return from vacation and have tons to catch up on won’t be very enjoyable either. Be sure to keep yourself healthy as you travel by following these six easy tips. If you do end up getting sick while out of town, try visiting a local clinic or doctor’s office to help speed up the healing process. If you’re visiting Byron Bay, be sure to see Dr Jonathan Coldwell. Even if your body would eventually be able to fight off illness on its own, there’s nothing worse than feeling ill when you’re supposed to be having fun.
