8 Tips On How To Stay Healthy While Traveling Long Distances

There are people who travel around the world all year long but they rarely get sick. If you always get sick when traveling or after traveling, it is obviously because you don’t know the ways to stay healthy while traveling.

by Bharat Kothakota , MD MPH

There are people who travel around the world all year long but they rarely get sick. If you always get sick when traveling or after traveling, it is obviously because you don't know the ways to stay healthy while traveling. There are many simple things that you can do that will help you stay healthy while traveling- from road trips to going abroad. Here are the tips on to stay healthy while traveling for long distances:

1. TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE SNEEZING OR COUGHING

When you are traveling, you will meet and interact with a lot of people. Try to stay away from people who sneeze, cough or show any other signs of sickness when you are in public spaces such as airports and train stations. This will help you avoid catching infections from them. When virus filled droplets from another person land on your eyes or nose, the virus will eventually get to your respiratory system and make you sick. That is why you have to do your best to stay away from people who show any sign of illness whenever you are traveling.

2. MAKE SURE THAT YOU SANITIZE YOUR HANDS AFTER TOUCHING THE GERMY HOT SPOTS

Germy hot spots are those areas or things that many people touch on daily basis. This includes things like the ATM machines, tables, door handles and the things in the bathroom. A place that is touched by a lot of people is likely to have so many disease causing microorganism. If you don't wash your hands thoroughly after touching these places, the germs will have their way into your body and make you sick. Whenever you touch these germy hotspots, wash your hands the right way using a sanitizer. Before washing your hands, you should be careful not to touch the nose, mouth or eyes.

3. EAT WELL

A well balanced diet is very essential when you want to keep yourself healthy when traveling. A healthy diet will help you ensure that your body has all the nutrients it needs to be healthy. Eating a well-balanced diet can be a real challenge if you are staying in different hotels and you don't have time to prepare your own food. The best thing to do is to make plans on the foods that you are going to eat in advance. If you are going to stay in a hotel, check the type of foods offered in the hotel. If possible, you can also carry snacks that will give your body the nutrients it needs on when you are on the move.

4. HAVE ADEQUATE REST & SLEEP

Traveling can cause a lot of stress. It can be difficult to truly rest when you are traveling for long distances. However, if you want to keep your body at the best state of health, you have no choice other than ensuring that you are getting adequate rest and sleep. Set a reminder on your computer or phone so that it can notify you when it time rest. Lack of rest and sleep will not only make you unproductive on the next day, it is something that can make your immune system weak making it impossible for it to fight off disease causing organisms.

5. ENSURE THAT YOU ARE WELL HYDRATED AT ALL TIMES

Ensure that you boy is well hydrated at all times when you are traveling for long distances. Have a reusable water bottle to ensure that you always have water with you wherever you go. It not enough just to carry water around. You have to drink it. Always fill it up whenever you get the chance to ensure that you have plenty of water to drink all the time.

6. AVOID MOTION SICKNESS

If you usually feel ill when travelling by car, bus, train or boat, there are ways you can beat motion sickness. Some tips: don't look at your phone or read, sit in the front seat (if possible, drive), focus on looking at the horizon out the window and take medication when all else fails.

7. PROTECT YOURSELF OUTDOORS

We all know sunscreen and bug-spray are essential when travelling and preparing for spending time in the great outdoors. But, what you might not be prepared for are pollen and allergens that might be present at other times of the year or completely different than what you 're used to. Bring your usual seasonal allergy medicine in case of an allergen filled environment. Also, there are several natural remedies for seasonal allergies that you can try from anywhere when symptoms hit.

8. HAVE AN EASY AN ADAPTABLE WORKOUT ROUTINE

Most travelers don't exercise when they are on the move. Exercising is just as important as having a healthy diet. You should have an adaptable workout routine. You don't have to go to a gym to exercise. Also, you don't need workout equipment to keep yourself fit. You should be able to do your routine in small spaces e.g. in a hotel room. Exercising will not only keep the diseases away, it is something that will help you have the energy that you need to get the most out of your days.

If you 're travelling internationally, getting any necessary vaccines is important to stay healthy when travelling. We at Self Care LA offer overseas travel vaccines in Los Angeles.