While it’s natural to focus on the exciting elements of travel, like seeing new places and enjoying fresh experiences, when it comes to getting the most out of all your holidays don’t forget to put some thought into staying healthy along the way as well. Whether you’re getting ready to book a hotel in Coffs Harbour for a quick weekend getaway or are preparing for a month-long trip to Europe, it’s a good idea to take care of your body and practice healthy habits even while you’re away. Read on for five top tips to consider during your next vacation.
Watch What You Eat in Transit
Travelling long distances, especially on planes, can be very dehydrating, so take precautions to ensure you keep your fluid levels up in transit.Steer clear of coffee or alcohol and stick with water for the duration of your journey. It can sometimes be difficult to get enough to drink on a long-haul flight so it’s a good idea to take an empty stainless steel water bottle with you in your hand luggage. You can ask the flight attendant to fill it up with the plane’s purified water during the trip. Similarly, if travelling long distances by road, always remember to take a water bottle and stop for plenty of breaks to top up your supply. You should also watch what you eat when travelling to your destination. Airline food is not generally particularly healthy, and neither is most food you find at stops along the highway. To help you be healthy during your journey take plenty of health-conscious foods with you instead. Many people are unaware that you can actually take food on board airplanes. While you can’t take fruit and veg off the plane as a general rule (due to quarantine restrictions) you can eat whatever you like while on board.
Research Restaurant Options
Similarly, you don’t want to undo all your good work by eating badly once you arrive at your destination. Eat nutritiously during your holiday and you’ll find yourself feeling much better along the way and when you return home as well. The longer your trip, the more you’re likely to be affected by an inadequate diet, so if you’re travelling for a week or longer, this is particularly important. To help you stay on track it is beneficial to suss out healthy and/or organic restaurants and supermarkets before you leave. When eating out use your judgement about what to eat and what to avoid. Pre-prepared foods can gather germs quite quickly so opt for freshly-made meals and always choose to have any meat well-cooked. You can also book accommodation that has a kitchen, (or at least the basic cooking equipment) so that you can make your own meals while away.
Make Time to Exercise
Flying, or many hours cramped in a car, train or bus, can be terrible for your circulation so make sure that you stretch as often as possible during your journey. When you arrive in your destination, ensure you fit in some time to exercise regularly as well. Apart from helping your circulation the exercise will also have the other standard health benefits associated with brisk movement, and will also help to regulate your body clock at the same time. Easy exercise options while away can include walking and running, cycling, swimming, yoga and using the hotel gym.
Staying clean and only drinking fresh, safe water while you travel is another effective way to keep illness at bay. Wash your hands regularly, or keep a bottle of hand sanitiser with you for those times when you can’t access soap and water. This is very effective in preventing the spread of nasty bacteria and is particularly important before and after meals; before you touch your eyes, nose or mouth; and if you aren’t able to shower for a while. If you’re travelling in a country where the quality of water is uncertain, then boiling water before you drink it is a tried and tested way to avoid most bugs.
Be Choosy in YourTravel Partner
It’s helpful to select a travel partner who is in the same frame of mind as you when it comes to staying healthy on holidays. Although of course you can keep up good habits and hygiene no matter who your companion is, it certainly makes the trip more fun (and the amount of willpower needed less) if you spend your holiday with someone who is also keen to stay fit and healthy.
About the Author:
Fiona Spruce is a travel writer with a passion for international vacations, cycling and organic foods who has visited more than 50 countries around the world.
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