5 Ways to Stay Healthy on Vacation

5-ways-to-stay-healthy-on-your-next-vacation
Are you planning a family vacation? Few things are as highly anticipated as vacation time. As a child, as soon as the weather warmed up and the sky grew sunny, the thrill of summer vacation around the corner was enough to cause widespread joy. As adults, a break from the office is still nearly as exciting. Whether it’s freedom for a month or merely a few days, trying to stay healthy on vacation is a top priority. From breathing in recycled air on planes to motion sickness and crowded airports, bus stops and train stations, travel can mean not only crossing hundreds of miles, but hundreds of germs as well. If you follow these 5 basic guidelines the next time you head out of town, you will have a better chance to stay healthy on vacation.
5-ways-to-stay-healthy-on-your-next-vacation

 

5 Ways to Stay Healthy on Vacation

 

1. Try to follow your normal sleep schedule
While this may be challenging in new surroundings (especially if you are experiencing a time change), getting close to your normal amount of sleep will give your body enough time to rest and refresh before beginning another day of traveling or fun. When you compromise your sleep, you run a greater risk of getting sick since your immune system will suffer.

2. Wash your hands frequently
When you are traveling or visiting many different places throughout the day, it is imperative that you wash your hands so you stay healthy on vacation. We come in contact with thousands of germs each day, many of them traveling to our mouth, nose or eyes by way of our hands. Washing your hands after being on any form of public transportation, visiting public restrooms or going anywhere that many people tend to congregate throughout the day, can help cut down the spread of illness and disease and ultimately keep you healthier and happier on your vacation. If it’s not practical for you to wash your hands frequently, carry a travel hand sanitizer and make sure your kids are disinfected frequently too.

 

3. Be selective when it comes to food
When you are in a new area, always be careful when you are trying new food or drinking water in an area where many intestinal bugs and parasites are known to reside. Also, make sure to wash all fruit and vegetables (especially outside of the US) since different countries may use larger quantities of pesticides on their crops.

4. Pack a medicine kit
While you don’t want to expect the worst, it helps to plan for it just in case. Make sure you pack the usual Band-Aids and first-aid basics as well as motion sickness medication, anti-diarrhea meds and aspirin for aches, pains and headaches. Whether it’s a stomach ache or a skinned knee you will be prepared for any little disasters that are thrown your way.

5. Make sure your kids are up-to-date on shots
As you know from sending your kids to school, certain vaccinations are required to keep children healthy. Make sure your children are completely current before going on vacation. When you travel, you come in contact with many germs and viruses that you would not normally have in your own home. Make sure your children have a defense in place so you all can stay healthy on vacation.

While there is no way to ensure you will stay healthy on vacation, by taking good care of yourself you are definitely cutting down the odds of illness. If money is tight this year, consider taking a Vacation at Home instead.

What things do you do to ensure you stay healthy on vacation?

About the author
Emily Murray is a regular writer for KwikMed, the company which has been appointed by Watson Pharmaceuticals as the exclusive online distributor of the newest morning after pill called ella.

 This post may contain affiliate links
Updated January 2014 by Kimberly

Related Posts