How to Be Healthier on the Road
Exercising and eating healthy may be your routine at home, but if you are a frequent traveler, you may want to develop some habits that will help keep you healthy on the road. These habits should be practical as well as beneficial.
Here are five tips that may inspire you to stay on a healthier track on your travels:
1. Getting the Right Amount of Sleep
Traveling puts a huge demand on your body. Scheduling the appropriate amount of sleep allows for your body to adjust to a new environment as well as the additional activities that can add extra strain. Also, allow for jet lag if flying, or prolonged stationary positions if driving. Sleep allows your body to recover from use as well as revive energy. You will want to give yourself extra time to rest and relax before going to bed.
2. Exercise
While you are away from home, start each morning with a series of stretching exercises. Be kind to your body by getting it prepped for the day’s events. Make an effort to walk as much as possible during the day. Scheduling low impact activities such as swimming or tai chi will help keep stress levels, both physically, emotionally, and mentally at a healthy level. This is a great way to transition the body after a large amount of activity while preparing to sleep.
3.Stimulates
Because your body is usually pumping additional adrenaline while you are away from home and being on the road, keep a close eye on how many external stimulants you are intaking. Caffeine and nicotine are widely consumed as a means to stay alert and awake, but overconsumption can lead to a number of undesirable health conditions. Smokers may want to use a reduced nicotine concentration e-cigarette as an alternative to smoking. While there are common side effects of vaping, the general consensus is that it’s significantly safer than smoking. Drink decaf coffee, tea, and soda whenever possible as a means to slowly wean yourself off caffeine. If you must have that cup of joe, make it a mostly morning thing and cut yourself off after a certain time of day.
4. Food
Giving your body the energy that it needs while traveling is necessary. Avoid empty calorie snacks. Try nuts and dried fruit as a carry along snackable. Eat a hearty breakfast to get your day started off right. Be sure to include fiber in your daily diet so your digestive system works properly. Try to avoid most forms of fast food. A quick salad may not hurt, but watch out for high-calorie dressings. Relax, then eat a nice dinner that contains vegetables with lean meat or a protein source. You can use your dinner meals as part of unwinding from the day’s activities. Your digestive system will reward you.
5. Clothing
Pack appropriately for your destination. Make sure your clothing and footwear choices are comfortable and seasonal as well as correct for your activities. Accessories can dress an outfit up or down. Mix and match pieces work well to keep your packing light. Dressing in layers gives you more options as the temperature shift during the day. If you are uncomfortable, the stress levels increase in your body. Being too hot or too cold is not healthy. Pick your footwear carefully, making sure you can walk for extended periods of time without getting rubs and blisters. Protect your feet well to ensure you have a good time during your travels.
While traveling once meant hours upon hours of moving on your feet, modern transportation has turned it into a far more inactive affair. Instead of hours walking, it’s usually hours sitting. Add in the tendency to turn to quick service meals and the likelihood of depending on stimulants to beat jet lag and manage stress, it’s easy to see how modern travelers can struggle to stay healthy. It’s for this reason why they have an obligation to take steps to be healthier on the road.