Top Ten Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling This Holiday Season

1. To avoid jet lag be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before your flight. Avoid or minimize alcohol consumption or at least drink a glass of water for every cocktail you consume.

2. Exercise. Walk around the city or neighborhood or airport or the hotel (or work out in the hotel gym or take a swim in their indoor pool). If you can’t take a walk or workout, at least do some stretching exercises. Be sure to do a minimum of 10 – 20 minutes of activity. Remember that blood clots can occur when you are sedentary for long periods of time.

3. Snack. Be sure to carry healthy snacks with you when you travel to avoid unhealthy temptations. Snacks, such as bagged nuts, protein bars and shakes, dried fruit, string cheese, and trail mix are good options.

4. Medicate. Be sure to keep your medications with you at all times. You should never check your medications because your luggage may get lost or delayed. Make sure you have enough to last until your return (and be sure to take extra in case of a delay in getting home). FYI: If you have drug and/or food allergies, be sure to wear a medical alert bracelet. It should be engraved with the items you are allergic to and your ID #. This gives the emergency responders instant access to your medical records. Ask your doctor about an Epi-Pen if your allergy is life-threatening.

5. Take the shot. Ask your doctor if he recommends a flu shot. If so, be sure to get one before hitting the road.

6. Wash, wash, wash. The #1 way that germs are spread is through hand contact. Pens, doorknobs, elevator buttons, money, shopping carts, airplane trays, bathrooms, etc. are infested with germs. To protect yourself, be sure to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth). When traveling, I carry pocket-sized hand sanitizer.

7. Sleep. Before, during, and after a trip, be sure to rest to keep your body in optimum shape to combat illness.

8. Drink. Be sure to stay hydrated as your body can become dehydrated faster when traveling. Stick to bottled water, decaf coffee, juice, and tea for best results. Remember that coffee and tea contain antioxidants, which are great for you.

9. Motion Sickness. If you suffer motion sickness, be sure to take an over-the-counter or prescription drug prior to traveling. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you. Some may interact with certain prescription medications you’re taking. Ginger tea or capsules is one cheap and easy option that will help with nausea.

10. Chill. The worst thing for your health is stress. It causes ulcers, migraines, heart attacks, etc. Unfortunately, traveling can be stressful. Be prepared mentally for delays or problems and try not to stress over them. It doesn’t help and doesn’t change anything and if you can just shrug it off, you’ll be so much better off. Remember that travel woes usually make great stories to tell once you’re back home!

Here’s to safe, healthy, and happy travels!

 

Bonus: Five Tips for Keeping Your Pets Healthy This Holiday Season

*Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, and lilies can make cats and dogs sick if ingested. In fact, lilies can be lethal for cats.

*Be careful with tinsel and low hanging ornaments and shiny glass ornaments as they are appealing to cats.

*The same is true for candles. Cats often seek the heat and light from candles (even if located high up) so use battery-operated candles or always blow out the candles when leaving the room for any period of time. A dog may knock it over when trying to look out the window.

*Cords should be covered with rugs or taped down so that dogs (especially appealing to puppies and young dogs) do not chew.

*Do NOT let guests feed your pets. They may feed the dog or cat something he/she is allergic to or intolerate of or the animal may simply get too much food. Chocolate is very toxic to dogs, especially dark chocolate. My dad fed my dog a couple of bites of prime rib (without my knowing) a couple of years ago and he nearly died. We spent part of the holiday at the emergency vet and a good deal of $$$. Not a good experience…and be sure to secure dogs and cats if they have a tendency to bolt out the door when given the chance.