Willingly or not, we all have to travel for work or vacation. Some people love to travel while others are not so entertained by traveling. But, an estimated 100,000 flights take off daily, meaning about 6 million people are flying from one place to another. Despite the odds and requirements of traveling, you should not neglect your health. But have you ever considered knowing how to stay healthy while traveling and how to stay healthy while flying? Also, read till the end to learn how to stay healthy while traveling for work.
1. How to Stay Fit While Traveling?
Fitness begins at home and with self-care. Traveling from one place to another can sometimes take a toll on your health. During such situations, you must maintain and keep up with some habits to maintain your fitness outside your comfort zone. Here are a few ways to keep fit during travel.
A. Prefer Walking
In a new place, would it not be better to look through the architecture and surroundings while walking rather than zooming in on a cab to your destination? Use the time to explore new places and routes on your way. It is easier nowadays to navigate with the help of applications. Pack necessary things like beverages and eatables if necessary, and off you go. If you are on a trip, you can ask for Free Walking Tours offered by most agencies. (See Which is the Most Basic Fitness Training Principle?)
B. Watch your Diet
While traveling, you feel like free birds who forget that calories are also something. But at the same time, this is your chance to explore new tastes and flavors.
- Try to limit what you eat and avoid fast food and alcohol.
- Staying hydrated is also important, so you drink good amounts of water (not excess).
- Also, limit caffeine intake as it can dehydrate your body and disturb sleep too.
Therefore, a well-balanced diet with accurate water and less alcohol or coffee is a good choice. Are you catching up with tips related to how to stay healthy while traveling? Continue reading to learn more.
C. Do not Forget your Health Essentials
Even though it is not on the list, sometimes one cannot help falling sick due to several reasons. Therefore, it is essential to keep the required medicines and other necessities in your travel first-aid kit, including the following items:
- Fever and painkiller tablets
- Motion sickness remedy
- Antibiotic ointment
- Anti-itch cream
- Bandages
- Cold and flu relief medication
- Medicine for allergic reactions
- Rehydration tablets in case of diarrhea or dehydration
- Stomach ache medicine prescribed by your doctor
Well, apart from this, use the following precautionary methods to avoid falling sick:
- Wash hands regularly, but if you cannot, use disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizers.
- Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamins to take before and while traveling, as it helps strengthen your immune system.
D. Take care of your Mental and Physical Health
While traveling, it may seem quite difficult, but taking care of your mind and body is important too.
- For this, you can do a light workout, yoga, or meditation.
- Also, try not to skip sleep. Although it may not be easy to have a scheduled sleep, try taking a nap when you have some leisure time.
What is the use of traveling if your mind and body are not at peace? So these tips on how to stay fit while traveling would be helpful for you. Check out How Do We Get Sick?
2. How to Stay Healthy while Traveling for Work?
If you have done all the necessary things mentioned above, look at the list below to see if you are constantly traveling for work.
A. Vaccinations and Boosters
Waking up from the pandemic has made everyone well aware of what unhygienic habits and neglecting your weak immune system can do to a person. Falling sick is no one’s choice; keep your vaccinations up to date, and do not forget to take your booster shots. These shots include:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Influenza
- Malaria
- Measles/mumps
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Rabies
- Tetanus and diphtheria
- Typhoid
- Varicella
- Yellow fever
Complete protection through vaccines is achieved after 6 weeks (42 days) of the shot. Therefore, plan accordingly in consideration of your trip.
B. Reusable Water Bottle
Being on the road, on planes, trains, buses, cabs, etc., most of the time makes it a hassle to get water and food on time. Therefore, always carry a reusable water bottle and refill it when needed. It will be a safer option than the one-time use of water bottles. Do not forget to wash them before refilling them.
C. Eating Habits
Avoid binge eating or eating whenever you feel like it. This will only degrade your health. Adopt healthy eating habits, which include:
- Eating when you are hungry
- Carry healthy snacks (nuts, crackers, energy bars, etc.) in your bag
- Eat a fresh meal at least once a day
- Munch on fresh fruits or popcorn
- Cook your meal, if possible
It is always advisable to follow these tips on how to stay healthy while traveling for work. Read What does it Mean by CAVA Splendid Greens?
3. How to Stay Healthy while Traveling for Long Hours?
It is recommended to visit your physician once in a while. But make sure you visit them before you set off on your journey. Getting a body checkup and a prescription for certain required medicines will relax your journey.
4. How to Stay Healthy while Flying?
While asking how to stay healthy while traveling, the next question that arises is how to stay healthy while flying. Traveling by plane can be time-saving, but there are also some steps you need to follow to maintain your health. Some people spend more time on a plane than on land, not willingly, but due to their work. So here is a list for all of you that will help maintain your health while flying.
A. Always Plan Ahead and Do Not Over-Pack
Both are co-related because if you know well about your destination, time taken in travel, duration of your stay, etc., then you can pack smartly with only the necessary things. These days, you need to be extra careful about sanitation and personal hygiene since we recently faced the worst pandemic. So, keep sanitizers, wipes, etc., in your purse all the time. Also, do not over-pack clothes and shoes; keep space for important things. (See What does 70 Per Cent Travel mean?)
B. Do Not Forget to Sanitize Your Nose
This one on how to stay healthy while traveling may sound weird. But according to an estimate, a person touches their nose about 100 times a day. This increases the risk of infections. Wearing a mask is a must, but if you happen to take it off for a while, sanitize your nose before wearing it back. Use nose sanitizers available in the market, or it would be better if you get one from your doctor.
C. Sanitize Surfaces and Objects
Sanitizing your hands and nose is another thing, but sanitizing your seat handles, window, door handles, taps, etc., is also necessary. Do not be bothered by the mere thought of people watching; they will think of you as a freak. You are doing this for your safety, which should be your priority. Use spray sanitizers and surface cleaners for this.
D. Avoid Flight Bathrooms
It may seem absurd, but do not use flight bathrooms if possible. According to research, most germs and infection-causing bacteria exist in flight bathrooms. However, sanitize things properly before and after using them if you have to use them. Also, sanitize yourself before returning to your seat.
E. Keep Air Vent on and Maintain Hydration
The next thing to know about how to stay healthy while traveling is that you have a higher chance to stay healthy on a plane if you keep the air vent above your seat on, as recommended by the infectious disease expert Dr. Mark Gandreau. Also, you will experience humidity levels ranging between 30% and 60% on land. But on a plane, there is only 15% humidity. Lower humidity tends to dry the mucous membranes of the nose and airway. This makes one prone to infections, so you should keep yourself hydrated. Must read Do All Factors that Influence our Physical Fitness can be Controlled?
F. Book Window Seat
It may not always be possible, but it can be done if you plan ahead and book the flight. It is preferred because a person sitting on the widow seat is less likely exposed to other passengers and flight crew walking the aisle. This means you have the slightest chance of collecting the infection and bacteria. Also, according to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rows with vacant middle seats and fewer passengers in the aircraft can reduce exposure to infection-causing germs.
Today you found out about how to stay healthy while traveling. So, get yourself ready with the steps mentioned above. Also, let us know your suggestions and queries in the comment section below. (Also read Why traveling is good for you?)
