Staying Healthy while traveling

Staying Healthy while away from home

Trip preparation time gets hectic.  For many people, they work every day while they get ready for their vacation.  Extra chores such as packing, making arrangements for mail, newspapers, pet care, etc., take time and effort.  One thing we can do is strengthen our immune system and stay healthy by eating extra fruits and vegetables (get those vitamins).   

Once we leave home, what choices will we make to promote health?

Use antiseptic towelettes to wipe down hotel door knobs, TV remotes, telephone receivers, and faucets for the sink and shower.  This three minute routine will decrease the chances of catching the last guy’s flu virus. 

Is that drinking glass in your hotel room clean?  Only the maid knows.  After watching a news documentary on this topic broadcast several years ago, I began to wash the drinking glasses in our hotel room with soap and hot water before we drink out of them. 

Once we are on the plane and during travel, use alcohol based hand sanitizer before you eat and drink.  (How many people handled the peanut/pretzel package the airline staff hands out?  Does anyone wipe off the airplane seatback tray?)

Keep hydrated.  When traveling, time passes and you can get distracted.  Six hours later you may notice, ‘boy, am I thirsty’.  It happens.  Drink water and non-caffeinated drinks.  When you drink enough, you have to make more bathroom stops, but keeping hydrated promotes health. 

Handle the stress with a good attitude.  Traveling can be stressful.  I find my travel stress is decreased if I allow extra time and keep a good attitude.  I keep a good book handy for the inevitable waiting times.    

I've begun adding these quick, easy behaviors to our travel times and it certainly seems to be keeping us healthy while traveling.