Traveling is fun and exciting, particularly when you’re going on a vacation or traveling to a place you’ve always dreamed of. The sights, the sounds, the food, the scents, the culture, the locals, the new experiences… there’s nothing quite like traveling and discovering something new.
However, to fully enjoy your travels, you want to stay healthy and avoid getting yourself hurt. Nobody wants to suffer injury or illness while at home, even less so when away. To help prevent illness and injury, here are a few tips on how to stay healthy and active whenever you travel within and outside your country.
Stay Hydrated
If you’re taking a long flight, try and take some orange juice to drink as frequently as you can. This will help you remain hydrated and provide your body with the necessary electrolytes. If you don’t want sugary drinks, water will do. Just be sure to avoid anything containing alcohol or caffeine during the flight.
Take Frequent Walks
People who travel on long flights frequently and without moving tend to be at risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). This is essentially a clot that blocks the arteries, stops blood flow, and could result in stroke or heart attack that may lead to death. So, try to move around every 45 minutes to an hour on the plane. This will keep your blood flowing and prevent any clots. Avoid crossing your legs and make flexing your ankles a habit. If you already have conditions like obesity, are undergoing a hormone replacement therapy, or have a heart condition, it is even more important to move around frequently. If you’re driving, stop after 2-3 hours, stretch your legs for 10 minutes and the get back on the road.
Eat Healthy
If you’re driving, it’s easy to stop by a fast food restaurant instead of going for something healthier. Resist this as much as possible, particularly when you travel a lot. Those junk foods that are readily available at the fast food joints are terrible for your heart, weight and overall wellbeing. So, instead of eating junk food, look for proper restaurants and eat something decent. If you must have snacks, pack a cooler filled with nuts and fruits. These are excellent snacks and are a rich source of antioxidants. Also be sure you have plenty of protein in your diet as it helps you boost your immunity, build your muscles (with proper exercise) and get you the necessary nutrients you need without feeling overly bloated and overweight. If you have good multivitamins, take them too as they will help keep you fit and in good health.
Stay Clean
When traveling overseas, it is important to remember that bacteria and viruses oceans apart evolve very differently, meaning diseases you’re immune to here might still affect you over there. So, if you’re going to another country, make sure that you wash your hands and body as frequently as you can with warm water and soap. If not, carry a hand sanitizer, and try to keep your hands away from eyes, nose and mouth. This way, you’ll drastically reduce your chances of getting any infections.
Get Adequate Rest
Try and get enough sleep and rest when you get to your destination. This is important so you don’t continue to feel exhausted for the duration of your stay. Besides, a good sleep keeps you awake, fresh and in good mood. It’ll also increase your strength and concentration for whatever activities you wish to indulge in on your travels.
