It is the most popular time of year for people to travel; we all want to get away from the cold, stress and day to day insanity of everyday life, and the holidays are a busy time for visiting loved ones. While you will never hear us tell you not to pack your bags, we will tell you to stay healthy and take extra precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe during travel. With all the excitement of vacation planning and preparation, it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves and put our health first; and that is why we are here! Have no fear! By following these simple steps, you will be able to enjoy every minute of your vacation all while having the peace of mind that you are taking the necessary steps to stay healthy during your adventure and when you return home.
STOCK YOUR CARRY ON
When we travel, our exposure to germs and bacteria increases – making us more susceptible to infection. And, we may be in contact with these bad boys when we least expect it. Multiple studies have shown that the “germiest” place on the airplane is the tray table. That’s right, the tray you eat off of, touch, do work on…it is dirtier than the toilet handle! We highly suggest packing some wet wipes in your carry on for easy access to wipe down your tray table, arm rests and any other surface you may be in frequent contact with. It is also a good idea to have first aid supplies and medications in your carry on as well (ie…tylenol, ibuprofen, tums, pepto bismol etc…). Having an immune booster to drink once a day (AirBorne, EmergenC) is a wonderful idea also! Remember, there is a limit to how much liquid you can bring in your carry on so make sure you bring your medications in pill form; nothing worse than spending money on your traveling pharmacy and having to throw half of it away. Trust us…we have been there.
SLEEP
Let’s take it back to health class; when are we most likely to get sick? Yep, you guessed it…when we are run down. It is the norm to constantly be on the go when we are on vacation. After all, there are so many exciting things to see and do and we want to take advantage of every moment we have. However, it is so important not to skip sleep. As hard as it is, try to sleep the same amount of hours you do at home each night and listen to your body and rest throughout the day as needed. It is important to pace yourself so you do not become worn out – which leaves you more susceptible to infection. Our immune system is our first line of defense against any illness so doing whatever we can to keep it firing on all cylinders (especially while traveling) is crucial.
START YOUR DAY WITH BREAKFAST
We have all heard our mothers say “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. Well…Mom was on to something. If you are anything like us, you have a jam packed day full of fun and excitement ahead of you while on vacation; and we don’t blame you one bit! However, it is important our bodies have the necessary fuel to keep us moving and grooving through all of the site seeing and exploring. Before leaving your hotel we suggest eating a well balanced breakfast filled with protein (eggs, oatmeal etc…). This will keep your body strong and energized throughout your day; and hey, what better way to try the local cuisine (you may find a new favorite dish). As tempting as grabbing a quick bagel while running to rope drop (where are our Disney fans at?) or skipping breakfast all together, we highly recommend you allow for a delicious and hearty meal before the craziness of the day. And, your Mom agrees…she called us.
STAY HYDRATED
It is so easy to forget to drink water while exploring and having fun; but staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to keep you healthy while traveling. Start your day off with a large glass of water and bring a refillable water bottle along with you as you go about your day. Take sips while waiting in lines, sitting in the back seat of your Uber, visiting landmarks, or taking in the local music. Whatever your day holds, make sure your plans include lots and lots of H2O. We also encourage you to limit the amount of alcohol you consume each day. We know how delicious the fruity concoctions at your favorite all-inclusive resort are; but, excessive alcohol can lead to dehydration. Try to limit the number of umbrella drinks you sip while sitting on the beach to keep your body at its peak.
WASH YOUR HANDS
We will keep this one short and sweet since it is a no brainer; but, we wanted to give you a friendly reminder. Our exposure to germs and bacteria only increases when traveling as we touch so many new things throughout our day. Make sure you are washing your hands with warm water and soap often, especially before meals and after you use the restroom. Throw some hand sanitizer or wet wipes in your bag in case you find yourself somewhere without a sink nearby. Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it!
Traveling to new places is exciting and there is so much to see, do and learn on every vacation you take; but there are also so many new germs to pick up along the way.
By listening to your body, taking precautions and having supplies available if needed, you will have the peace of mind you deserve while enjoying your time away. Now more than ever it is important to be aware and respectful of your destination’s current rules and protocols. Wear your masks if necessary, stay socially distanced and stay home if you are feeling under the weather. While it may be disappointing to reschedule your vacation, it will be much more enjoyable when you are feeling your best self!
Have questions on how to stay healthy while traveling? Let us know what we can help answer below. Do you have an awesome tip that we may have missed? Put that in the comments also; we are all in this together!
Stay safe, have fun and most importantly…be kind.
-The Adventures by Jamie Team