November 15, 2020: Healthy Travel

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The holiday season is also known as the travel season, but with all of these people in close proximity, whether in the air or on the road, we become more vulnerable to germ-causing illness. That’s even putting COVD-19 aside! This week, we’re going to talk about tips for keeping yourself healthy during the holiday season if you need to travel.

Hydrate

Water is essential to staying healthy. Always carry a water bottle with you. As long as it’s empty, you’re able to get through airport security and can fill it up immediately following your security check.

Always bring your sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is an excellent way to stop the spread of germs. These days hand sanitizer has become an instant convenience, so much so hospitals have it at the entrance of every room. Use hand sanitizer immediately after you touch a door handle. or shake hands, or use the hand rail on the escalator, or your tray table on an airplane. Hand sanitizer can kill up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria that can cause disease.

Wear Your Mask

Masks have become commonplace out in public in this pandemic era, and it’s a wonder that we’re only now catching on to what Asian countries have done forever. Don’t forget to have good mask hygiene. Wash your mask after every use or get disposable ones.

Rest

It can be hard to get a good night’s rest in your childhood bedroom or some no-tell Motel, but sleep is an important component of staying healthy. Traveling, especially if crossing through time zones and walking or driving all day, is hard on our bodies. Even if you have to sneak in a nap, you’ll feel much more awake and aware during long days of celebration if you get a good 6 to 8 hours of rest. It is a huge factor in keeping your body and immune system in tip-top condition.

Get your vitamins

Holiday celebrations are often centered around high-carb, low-nutrition food, so it can be difficult to get the nutrients you need for optimal health. If you can’t get your vitamins from food sources, multi-vitamins can be packed easily enough and will help supplement your meals to give you the nutrients essential to stay healthy.

Make your own meals/snacks

While traveling, you might not have many healthy options for food. Pack healthy snacks in your carry-on, like nuts and seeds, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and jerky. If you’re traveling by car, keep a cooler stocked with healthy snacks like fruit, cut vegetables and hummus, homemade protein balls, and nuts to curb your cravings for the typical road snacks like candy and chips. If you’re traveling long distances, make a large salad full of vegetables, protein, and good fats and stop somewhere along the way to eat it. The protein and healthy fats are harder to digest and will keep you feeling full longer, so you don’t feel deprived and need to stop for fast food. Eat as many fruit and vegetables as possible to get the vitamins and nutrients essential to keep your immune system healthy. Don’t forget to pack your water bottle!

Exercise

Pack your resistance bands or your running shoes, and make sure you schedule time to stay active during your travels. Take advantage of the hotel gym or have a home workout routine ready to go so you’re able to do it anywhere. And if you’re lucky enough to go somewhere warm get outside and find a scenic place to get some HIIT in. Exercise helps move bacteria out of your lungs and airways reducing your risk of catching a cold or the flu.

Follow these tips to keep yourself as healthy as possible and enjoy your holiday or vacation getaways during this busy time of year.

Next Sunday, we’ll talk about how to get through the holiday season without trying every cookie, candy, cheese tray, and cocktail.

Want some expert help with reaching your health goals painlessly? Check out my programs! We’ll get everything taken care of in a way that fits into your current lifestyle so you never have to think about your health again.

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I hope you have a wonderful week,

Kelly

Kelly Morgan, Ph.D.

Tsirona - www.tsirona.com

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