If travel is supposed to be healing, relaxing, and restorative, then why is it so exhausting? From actual travel on trains and planes, to long days of sightseeing, to trying new foods, to interacting with more people than usual, travel takes a greater toll on our health than we often realize.
While it is important to make the most of a vacation, and hit all the sights or experiences on your checklist, it is equally important to maintain your health while traveling so you don’t return home needing a vacation after your vacation.
Read on for three ways to stay healthy while traveling, and put these tips to use on your next trip!
#1 - Get Enough Sleep
“No sleep! Bus, club, another club, another club, plane, next place.” - Lady Gaga… We love Lady Gaga as much as the next person, but we non-multi-millionaire-pop stars are simply not built for a no sleep lifestyle. Especially not while on vacation. It can be tempting to stay up late and get up early to see and do everything on a trip, but we are here to tell you that is not the optimal approach.
Studies have shown that lack of quality sleep is more likely to result in getting sick after being exposed to a virus - which is often a likelihood in airports, modes of public transportation, tourist attractions - and can also affect how quickly you recover if you do get sick.
To sustain your energy and health on a vacation, try to notch at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night, and avoid overbooking yourself with activities every day. We all know how frustrating it is to be sick in your own home… Who would also want to be sick in Paris, or London, or Rome??
#2 - Movement, routine, and somewhat healthy eating
Often, people think of vacation as an escape from their reality. Which can be true, in a sense! Vacations offer a change of scenery and perhaps climate, food, lifestyle, culture, and more. What is important to remember, however, is that you are still you on vacation.
Rather than abandon all habits and routine when you travel*, why not incorporate them into your vacation so you avoid confusing your body and brain, and leave feeling completely uprooted? *Unless, of course, you go on a wellness retreat where the entire point is to enter a new lifestyle…
If you normally go for a 20-minute walk every day at home, then you should prioritize getting that 20-minute walk in during a vacation! Do you typically like to have veggies with every meal? We have great news for you - the rest of the world enjoys vegetables too! There are plenty of opportunities for well-rounded meals abroad. Is hydration ultra-important to you? We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle on your trip.
Travel does not mean everything you enjoy and work for is different or goes out the window. It simply means you get to be yourself in a new place. If you want to stay mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy on a trip - keep up your good habits!
#3 - Practice basic hygiene
It is unfortunate that we have to throw this tip in here, but if we learned anything from the COVID pandemic, it is that more people than we realize do not know how to properly wash their hands. We get it… Basic hygiene is hard! (Sarcasm).
When traveling, you will encounter new people, public trains, public buses, museum queues, clubs, crowded restaurants, and more. What do all of these things have in common? Germs. Impossible to avoid, but very possible to keep at a friendly distance - germs are everywhere! To avoid these buggers and stay healthy during your travels, basic hygiene is a must.
Thankfully, there are endless supplies of travel-sized hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, sprays, and more that are just waiting for you to bring them along on your next trip. Don’t be afraid to wipe down the tray tables and arm rests of your airline seat, sanitize before and after getting on the plane, after riding the metro, and more. And please - wash your hands and avoid touching your face! We believe in you.
Ready to put these health tips to the test? Schedule your FREE Travel Consultation today with the ELx Travel Team and let us plan the perfect trip for you!