While traveling can be fun, exhilarating and eye-opening, it can also wreak havoc on our bodies. Whether it be a road trip, a trip abroad, or any other kind of extended traveling, it is important to pay extra attention to our health as we travel.
As we travel, we often get caught up in the moment and forget to take care of ourselves. Basic self-care that is often second nature back home is often thrown out the window as we embark on a journey. Below are some tips to keep in mind to help reduce the negative effects of traveling on your health.
Conscious Eating
Being conscious about your diet is often a challenge while traveling. If you are traveling abroad or to a different region, you may feel compelled to sample every piece of local cuisine you can get your hands on. This can lead to overeating and weight gain. This should be noted by all of those traveling foodies out there.
During the planning stages of your trip, take some time to get a basic understanding of the new foods you will be eating. Make a bucket list of the foods you would like to try and make a conscious effort to gravitate towards the healthier options.
Dr. Summit Shah always highlights the importance of moderation. If you’re in Italy, of course, you’ll want to try some authentic gelato. Try not to get too excited and overdo it though. Do your body a favor and try to stick to the healthy eating habits you follow at home, instead of pitching them out while traveling.
Don’t Neglect Your Body While In Transit
Sitting in a car or an airplane for an extended period can lead to some health issues if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Although you may not notice immediately, your body becomes quite stressed while in motion. Add in sleep interruption and lack of physical movement and you’ve got a recipe for travel fatigue.
If you’re on a long haul flight, it may be tempting to stay snug in your seat, watching movie after movie on your in-flight entertainment screen. Instead, it is advised to spend a portion of the flight on your feet. This will help with blood circulation and combat some of the latent effects of traveling between time zones, such as jet lag.
Also, it is important to avoid alcohol while flying. Your body is going through enough stress as it is, and the last thing it needs is an influx of alcohol to further dehydrate and exhaust you. Be sure to drink ample amounts of water and move around and you’ll be doing your body a great favor.
Set Healthy Habits For Frequent Travel
Long-term travel can be detrimental to your health and increase the risk of chronic disease. If you travel frequently for business or other reasons, Dr. Summit Shah recommends creating healthy habits or rituals while traveling. This can help you avoid neglecting your body and give you a set of healthy principles to stick by.
Lack of exercise is often a major culprit for long-term travelers. Be sure to fight the lethargy and hit the hotel gym whenever possible. Meditation is also key to stabilizing your mental health while traveling, as your brain is bombarded with endless sensory input. Keep an eye on your diet and consider using your transit time as an opportunity to engage in fasting, which has several health benefits.
Don’t let traveling take a toll on your health and well-being. Keep these tips in mind and integrate them in your own travels and you will feel the positive results.