4 Ways to Stay Healthy While Camping

By Brandi Swieter 

Camping provides an opportunity for many people to splurge. They roast hotdogs over the fire, enjoy graham crackers, cooked marshmallows and chocolate for s'mores, and sometimes sit around without a thing to do or care in the world. While these can seem like a fun break from daily life, people should really be thinking about their health even while camping. One hotdog and a s'more or two won’t break a diet, but other options need to be made available to keep people on the right path.

Skip the Caffeine 

Too many people start their mornings with coffee, even while camping, and continue to drink soda pop throughout the day to get their caffeine fix. When camping and completing various vigorous activities, such as swimming and canoeing, water should always be the drink of choice. Skip the caffeine and enjoy some fresh clean water instead for true hydration and better performance.

Pack Healthy Snacks 

It’s fine to bring along the ingredients to make s'mores and indulge in one or two over the campfire at night. What isn’t fine is packing nothing but unhealthy snack options to go camping. Healthy choices should be included so everyone has a nutritious option to eat. Proper nutrition is important when completing activities, such as kayaking, which require strength. Junk food can leave people feeling bloated and sluggish. Trail mix, protein bars, fruits, and veggie sticks are excellent choices while camping.

Always Keep Moving 

Some campers simply want to sit around the tent area and hang out. Though this is fine to do when taking a break for a while, most of the time should be spent moving. Get out onto the campgrounds and explore. Walk the trails. Go for a swim. Take a kayak out on the water. Always keep moving and stay busy to get in some good workouts while away to stay fit and healthy.

Use Sunscreen 

The sun’s UV rays can do serious damage to the skin. Even those with tanned skin should apply sunscreen every so often to keep that damage from occurring. There are even lip screens available to protect the lips, which many people don’t tend to think about when they're outdoors.

With various methods available for keeping healthy while camping, all campers should be able to lead a healthy lifestyle even during their trip. Making up a reminder list could be helpful to ensure you’re staying on the right path.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Baytown, Tex.

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