How To Stay Healthy On A Trip | Vitamin C, Vitamin D & Water
Staying healthy has obviously always been important, but post-pandemic, it’s even more critical, especially when traveling abroad. I never get sick, and I owe it to a great immune system, but also to a few things I do on and in between trips to boost my immune system and overall health and wellness.
Vitamins
While you can take vitamins in pill form, they are more efficient when we get them from natural sources like the foods we eat. Vitamins protect our healthy cells and support immune cell growth and activity, so fruits and vegetables are pretty important to our diet. You’ll want to pack up on these things in between trips, but you’ll also find that fruit is often plentiful and easy to find abroad so you can maintain good health even while on a trip.
I happen to love fruit; it’s my go-to snack and one of the best ways to get vitamins. As far as favorites go, I prefer watermelon, mango, oranges, pineapple, and strawberries, which are all high in both vitamin A and C and great for your immune system. I also drink yogurt nearly every day, which is a probiotic with vitamins that support immune function and healthy bacteria.
When I travel, I love to be outdoors and in the sun, especially since I now work from home and spend a considerable amount of time indoors. Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, and I have personally found myself invigorated by being out in the sun. As long as you protect your skin with SPF, there’s no such thing as too much sun. Trust me, your body will thank you.
Sleep
Because of grind culture and the fact that everywhere we turn, we’re often being pushed to do more, sleep is one of the first things to suffer in our daily life and many people overlook the importance of it. There is a reason that our body’s require periods of rest and it’s important to honor that.
I am the type of person that loves to pack as much activity into a trip as possible, but I also really love a good night’s sleep, daytime naps (especially in the sun), and period of rest where I do absolutely nothing. As much as you might want to rip and run on vacation, you have to prioritize sleep as well. What you don’t want is to return from a trip more tired than you were when you left. On vacation you can:
Sleep in; what’s the rush to get up?
Plan short nap times between activities
Do most of your activities during the day so by the time you return to your hotel, your body is ready for rest and relaxation
Water
These days, I have become one of those people that carries a huge water jug around, and as much as I may have slightly judged other people for doing it, I have to say that I’ve seen a major difference in how my body performs. My skin glows, I have more energy, my digestion is better, and I have less headaches.
Airplanes circulate very dry air; pre-hydrating before a flight is a good way to avoid drying your skin and body out. Also, as I mentioned, I like to be outdoors often when I travel, and it’s so necessary to drink plenty of water so as not to dehydrate or experience major fatigue on a trip when you have lots of fun things planned. Not having energy can really bring a trip down, so water is a good place to start when you want to give yourself the boost you need.
I have a larger water jug that I use at home, but when I travel, I always carry a filter water bottle that I can refill wherever there’s clean water.
Practice Cleanliness
This really should go without saying, but being clean when you travel is a big way to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria. I typically wash my hands, shower, and use sanitizer or wipes even more when I’m on the go. There are also so many gadgets and inventions that can also help you stay as clean as possible these days like airplane seat covers, door opening hooks, travel sheet and towel sets, and more.
How much of this you do really depends on you, your preferences and how much space you have in your luggage, but the main thing is practicing mindfulness about being clean, especially in a new or different environment.