Seven Healthy Travel Tips

Traveling to new destinations can be exciting and fun. However, if you don’t prepare yourself for the differences you will encounter you may end up feeling tired and achy. Here are the top seven tips for staying healthy and feeling good, no matter where your traveling adventures take you.

1)Forget About Jet Lag: Here are some great pointers for beating jet lag. First, don’t drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages on the plane. Drink plenty of water, and eat whole grain carbohydrates which may help calm your nerves. Then, after getting to your destination, take a ten-to twenty-minute walk as soon as possible, and eat a light snack. If you think you’d like a little nap, you will want to keep it to less than an hour—so you’ll still be able to get to sleep at night.

2)Never Stop Moving: On a long flight it’s important to get up every half hour and move around for a full minute to keep your circulation moving. Or if you’re in tight quarters and can’t get up, “wiggle” while you sit. Lift your heels and move them from side to side. Bounce your legs up and down on the balls of your feet, then put your heels on the floor, lift your toes, and wag them from side to side. Another good idea is to wear compression socks which gently “hug” your legs, helping to keep blood flowing back to your heart.

3)Don’t Drink the Water: Even if your travels don’t take you out of the country—it’s smart to avoid the local water. You can never be too sure what steps were taken to purify it. Plus, even minor differences in the water can lead to stomach problems and constipation. You can opt for bottled water, if it’s in a glass container. Plastic bottles can leach toxins into the water, especially if the bottle gets warm.

4)Eat Energizing Snacks: Airports and rest areas are notorious for snacks like chips, candy bars and soda—which are not only unhealthy, but can also drain your energy. A good idea is to take along raw seeds, carrots, apples and celery sticks, slices of green and red pepper, or fresh fruit. These enzyme-rich foods will help you maintain your energy much more effectively Granola bars can also be tasty and are easy to travel with.

5)Remember Probiotics: Unfamiliar foods can affect your digestion. Probiotics can help by giving you the necessary bacteria to boost digestion, and to keep your constitution healthy. Plus, they promote healthy bacteria in the urinary tract and vaginal area, which is important if you’re going to be spending time in a wet bathing suit.

6)Brush, Brush Your Teeth: It’s not always convenient to brush your teeth while traveling. A suggestion is to carry a travel-size bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Just swish a teaspoon or so in your mouth after every meal or snack. Just make sure you don’t swallow it, as the bubbles can upset your stomach.
Exercise that body: Exercise charges up your metabolism and reduces stress. If you’re sightseeing, swimming, or playing tennis or golf on your vacation—that’s great. But if your vacation’s more sedentary, check out the hotel fitness center and spend 30 minutes on the treadmill or in the pool swimming. Or, just get out and take a walk, and soak in some much needed “alone time” for you.

7)Wash Hands Frequently: Remember the simple tip even your mom likes to tell you. Wash your hands...and often! Germs spread from everything we touch. Carry a hand sanitizer with you for times you can't wash with soap and water. Moist towelettes come in handy for wiping down eating trays on planes, and later...phones and hotel remote controls.

Wherever your travels take you, try to have a wonderful time. Feeling good while on the road will surely help! Just following these few simple steps can make a big difference in how you feel. nn