10 Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

Friends in Tianjin library

Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very stressful. It's important to stay healthy while you're on the road so that you can enjoy your trip and not worry about getting sick. In this blog post, we will discuss ten tips for staying healthy while traveling. Follow these tips, and you'll be able to relax and have a great time!

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Pick Up a Safe Travels Kit

You're likely flying to your destination, and the last thing you want to do is pick up that "airplane cold" we all seem to get after a long-haul flight. I enjoy using my Safe Travels kit, which includes a seat and pillow cover, sanitizing wipes, and an extra mask. Personally, I'm a little bit of a germaphobe, and having an extra layer between me and the airplane seat is *chef's kiss*.

Carry Hand Sanitizer

You're going to be shaking a lot of hands, touching a lot of surfaces, and using a lot of public restrooms. Make sure you have hand sanitizer with you at all times so that you can clean your hands often. I like to keep a small bottle in my purse and one in my backpack so that I'm never without it. I used it so much in China that the skin on my hands actually started peeling!

Stay Hydrated

This one is important no matter where you are, but it's especially important when you're traveling. Dehydration can lead to all sorts of problems, including headaches, fatigue, and even nausea. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day and carrying a water bottle with you so that you can stay hydrated. This is particularly important on long-haul flights, as airplanes are known to dehydrate you quickly.

Avoid Touching Your Face

This is a tough one, as we all have the tendency to touch our faces without even realizing it (I just touched my face while typing this sentence). However, it's important to avoid touching your face as much as possible when you're traveling. Why? Because you're going to be touching a lot of surfaces, and you don't want to transfer any germs or bacteria onto your face.

Eat Healthy Foods

If you're like me, traveling can really mess up your digestive system. I'm always careful to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as probiotic-rich foods like yogurt. This helps keep my digestive system happy and healthy while I'm on the road. Even if you aren't "feeling hungry," you need to eat. Now, be sure to mix in plenty of sweets and local cuisine! Eat healthily – but allow room for fun!

Get Plenty of Sleep

You need sleep. I know – you want to cram in as much as possible on your trip. Trust me when I say losing sleep and being crabby throughout your vacation is not worth it. Make sure you're getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night so that you can be well-rested and enjoy your trip.

Get Exercise

I'm not saying you need to do your full workout routine, but getting activity is important. For me, when I spent my summer in Europe, my entire "workout" regime was simply just walking at least 10,000 steps every day. Staying active on your trip keeps you feeling great.

Be Cautious with Water

Be sure to research the water quality of where you are visiting. Some destinations have water that is safe to drink, while others do not. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and only drink bottled water. If you're visiting somewhere like Egypt, you will even want to brush your teeth with bottled water. Trust me – I learned that lesson the hard way.

It's also important to be aware of what you're eating – avoid uncooked fruits and vegetables, as well as anything that may have come into contact with contaminated water. Oh – and if the water is bad, don't get drinks with ice.

Make Sure You're Up-to-Date with Vaccinations

I'm not just talking about the Covid-19 vaccine here, although that is obviously important. Depending on where you are traveling, you may need other vaccines as well. For example, when I went to China, I had to get the HEP B vaccine.

Wear Sunscreen

Some of y'all, think you're too good for sunscreen. Let me tell you – the sun in a lot of other places in the world will beat you up. Don't be burnt and cranky. Just wear sunscreen.

These are just a few of the things I do to stay healthy while traveling. It's important to take care of yourself when you're on the road, as getting sick can really ruin a trip. By following these tips, you can help ensure that you'll have a healthy and enjoyable trip. Safe travels!

Cait Kontalis

Greek-American 🇬🇷
More People Travel = Better Global Citizens
I hope my travels inspire you to book that flight

https://caitkontalis.com
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