Traveling for the Holidays? 3 Tips to Keep It Healthy
By Genevieve Cunningham
It's a great time of year. Families are gathering together. Presents are being exchanged. Loved ones are sharing hugs and laughs. But it's also a tough time of year. Why? Because it's also travel season, and travel can be hard on the body and mind. And of course, it's incredibly hard to actually stay healthy while you travel. There's fast food and a lack of exercise and general inactivity to deal with. It's tough! But luckily, it's not impossible. If you would like to make your travel season a little healthier, take a look at these tips to help.
Move Your Body
It's not easy, but you're going to have to make it happen. Even if you're traveling, you must move your body. Take a few minutes for a small walk. Get in a stretch every morning. Check out the hotel's fitness rooms. If nothing else, get in a quick 10 squats. Any movement will help. Make a plan, stick with it, and you'll be helping yourself keep strong muscles and maintain overall health until you get back home.
Take Items Needed for Sleep
Sleeping in a different environment can be hard. Things just don't feel the same, and that means that falling asleep and sleeping deeply both become quite the challenge. If you tend to have trouble sleeping while you're away, make sure that you take some familiar items. Take a pillow and blanket. Take your favorite pajamas. Take something that smells like home. It might sound silly, but these items can help you sleep better, and better sleep is crucial for keeping your health in check.
Easy on the Snacks
There's something about traveling that makes us want to eat. You might find yourself reaching for snack after snack. For many people, this means taking in far more calories than you originally intended. If you want to avoid the influx of calories, you'll have to go easy on the snacks. Pack carrots and celery and cucumbers. Pack nuts and rice cakes. And then make yourself eat these snacks and avoid the high calorie, fatty gas station or fast food options. It's hard to break the snacking habit, but you'll be glad for your efforts when your weight remains the same for your entire trip.
Traveling isn't easy. It takes a lot of patience and effort and planning. And it's so hard to stay healthy and on track. Use these tips to help keep your travel healthier. It might take some extra effort, but your health -- and the rest of your life -- is worth taking control of your travel habits now.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Jordan, Utah.