Staying healthy while traveling can be a challenge. While your body adjusts to a new time zone and you focus on managing your daily schedule, it’s important to make your health a priority so you don’t end up getting sick.
Stay Hydrated
While you may be tempted to order a glass of red wine on your flight, it’s important to drink as much water as possible when traveling. Dehydration is the fastest route to fatigue and crankiness, which are the last things you want to feel on a strenuous business trip or a relaxing vacation. There are many benefits to drinking water while you travel, including:
- Water regulates body temperature. Since a great deal of the human body is comprised of water, the more water you drink, the better your body will be able to regulate its temperature.
- Water also helps cleanse the body of toxins and other waste.
Get Enough Sleep
One of the most important things you can do while traveling is to ensure you get enough sleep. When you’re constantly on the go, your body will need to rest. The importance of sleep goes far beyond boosting your mood—it is the key to a healthy lifestyle and it can benefit your heart, mind, and body.
- Getting a good night’s rest can improve your concentration and productivity.
- Sleep can improve problem-solving skills and enhance memory performance.
- Poor sleep habits are strongly linked to type 2 diabetes.
Stay Away From Sick People
If you truly want to stay healthy during your travels, you’ll want to pay close attention to the people around you. If you’re at the airport and the person sitting next to you at the terminal is coughing profusely, consider moving to another seat. It’s also wise to carry some hand sanitizer on you at all times. Places like airport public bathrooms and airport security lines are full of germs, so be mindful of what you’re touching.
Exercise Regularly
Just because you’re traveling to Hawaii for a tropical honeymoon, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make a point to exercise every day. Even a quick 15-minute workout or a brisk walk to the park will do. Exercise has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of stress and anxiety, and it’s also a wonderful way to boost your energy levels when you start to feel that mid-afternoon crash. Before you decide on a hotel or lodging accommodations, consider looking for a place that offers a fitness center. You could also search for a local gym that offers temporary day passes.
Pack Your Own Healthy Snacks
Before you head to the airport, pack yourself a handful of healthy snacks that you can munch on during your travel. Not only will this save you money in the long-run (snacks can be pretty pricey at the airport), but it can save you from eating too many sweets while you’re on the go. Consider stocking up on healthy snacks like whole foods, protein bars, trail mix, and dried fruit. Once hunger strikes, you’ll be glad you brought these snacks along.
Eat One Fresh Meal Per Day
Eating healthy while traveling can be a real challenge, but you should make it a point to eat at least one fresh meal per day. Most people find that breakfast and lunch are great opportunities to do so, and no matter where you’re traveling to, you’re sure to find a local restaurant that offers fresh fruits and vegetables.
As you can see, there are many things you can do to ensure you stay healthy while traveling. If you’re planning an upcoming trip and you’re flying out of the Denver International Airport (DIA), be sure to reserve your airport parking space with ParkDIA.
