How to Stay Healthy (and Fit) During Traveling?

Written by - Reviewed by Consumer Health Digest Team

Published: Apr 11, 2018 | Last Updated: Aug 2, 2019

Stay Healthy During Travelling?

The last thing I, and probably most people, want when traveling is to get sick. That’s why I have pulled together this list of top tips which will help you keep healthy and happy when you are on the go exploring your next country. Hopefully, you take one or two of these on board and keep sicknesses away during your travels!

Top Tips For Staying Healthy When Traveling

Stay Hydrated

When flying, there is a lack of humidity on board which can result in dehydration, so make sure you drink plenty of water during your flight. It is advised to avoid alcohol, tea, and coffee because of their diuretic effect (makes you need the loo more), so if you do choose to have a tipple, or two, make sure you compensate with more water. The trips to the loo will add some exercise during your flight, as well as prevent swelling and improve your circulation.

When on the go it is easy to forget about keeping hydrated. When you’re busy admiring the city, you’re exploring, or if you’re too busy relaxing on the beach, the last thing some people think about is drinking enough water. One of the ways I stay hydrated when traveling is by keeping a bottle of water in my bag ‘ that way I know it’s there and when it’s banging against the side of my leg or back, this always reminds me to drink some more water.

Stay Hydrated

Protect Your Skin

Not using sun protection can lead to some terrible sunburn or even blisters. While it is great getting a lovely golden tan (or going red in some people’s cases), it is so important to protect your skin from the UV rays. It is recommended to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 ‘ this may be higher depending on your skin type.

Long periods of unprotected expose to the sun can result in skin damage, which no one wants I’m sure. Things such as early wrinkling, age spots, and even skin cancer are some problems that can occur through excessive sun exposure, so it is vital that you protect your skin. Sitting under an umbrella or covering vulnerable areas like shoulders, can also help protect your skin.

There is a positive though, UV exposure helps our body make vitamin D which helps the absorption of calcium, as well as keeping bones strong and healthy, so do make sure you get out and enjoy some sunshine ‘ with the protection of course!

Protect Your Skin

Keep Your Immune System Strong

When traveling, your body is more susceptible to illnesses and infections so keeping your immune system strong is really important. Your immune system is at its strongest when the body contains plenty of immune-boosting nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and zinc. These are obtained from fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, raspberries, garlic, and spinach, so make sure you are eating plenty of them. Exercise and plenty of rest also help to keep your immune system strong.

There are some factors that can decrease immune function though, the first one being smoking. As we all know, smoking is obviously bad for health, but this can affect your immune system strength, so either tries to quit or just cut down (at least when traveling!). Another biggie that can affect immune function is stress. If you are stressed, try some relaxing exercises like yoga and think positively. It is amazing what positivity can do to your mood ‘ that’s how I live my life so give it a go!

Keep Hands Clean

Think about all the different things you touch when traveling, door handles, hand rails, public transport…the list goes on. Now think about how many other people have touched them same object ‘ yes, lots of germs.

It’s amazing how quickly germs can spread and lead to infection so keep them hands as clean as possible.

Wash your hands whenever you can, and always carry hand sanitizer everywhere you go ‘ it’s one of my essential items when traveling. It’s small so will fit in your bag or backpack and will keep all those germs at bay!

Keep Hands Clean

Drink Sensibly

Now I am sure you have heard this advice a million times, but it is good advice! Be careful when drinking and watch your drinks when on your travels. It is a good idea to make sure you have had a good meal before drinking alcohol ‘ food in the stomach helps slow the rate of alcohol absorption and gives the body time to process the alcohol.

Alcohol is toxic that actually poison’s your body, so your body does everything it can to flush the toxins away and therefore, dehydrates your body. So, one of my top tips is to try and drinkin-between water drinks. I try my best to do this,and it really does help the next day ‘ hangover is not too bad!

Best foods for a hangover? A good old bacon butty is perfect ‘ the bread will help soak up the alcohol, and the bacon will replace the salts that have been lost from all those trips to the loo the night before. A banana is also a great food to have a hangover as it contains the minerals that are lost when the body is dehydrated. And of course ‘ lots of water to rehydrate your body!

Image Credits
Featured Image: Shutterstock
In-Post Images: Shutterstock
View All