Staying Healthy During Holiday Travel

Without a doubt, fall is my favorite time of year. The weather, the fashion, the comfort food – I just can’t get enough of it all. In my family, it also means birthday season is here since the vast majority of my family have fall and winter birthdays. It also means that the holidays are approaching faster than we ever expected, and along with it, holiday travel.

I am very fortunate in that most of our family lives close by, so we don’t have to travel far during this season, but I know there are so many families that do travel for the holidays. While our travel typically takes place in the summer, the same challenges pop up, so I’ve put together my top tips to stay healthy during this holiday travel season. It’s so, so important to do everything you can to stay well during this time so you can enjoy the holidays and time with your families!

Drink plenty of water. You will never find me without a water bottle nearby. I carry water everywhere, and for good reason – I just feel better when I have enough water in my body. Staying hydrated is one of the number one things you can do to stay healthy, and one of the easiest. Travel can make it hard – you’re in and out of cars, trains, or planes a lot and it’s hard to know when your next bathroom break will be. Don’t let that keep you from drinking water. Find a fun water bottle and set a goal for your water intake every day – your body will thank you!

Get plenty of rest. I know, easier said than done, especially while traveling. It’s so, so important to make sure to give your body a break, especially with the stress of being away from home and your normal routines. Do what you have to do to make sure you’re comfortable – bring your own pillow, practice meditation, diffuse your favorite essential oils. Make it a priority that no matter how hectic your travel schedule is, you make time for rest.

Wash your hands often. Washing your hands is the number one thing you can do to keep germs at bay. While traveling, it’s especially important. If you’re flying, you’re coming into contact with a lot of people, with no idea what they’re carrying around. Road trip? Being stuck in the car for hours on end has you all breathing the same air as everyone else, and germs get passed around really easily. Protect yourself by washing your hands often and making sure those you’re traveling with do the same.

Make good food choices. With traveling comes the challenge of eating out all the time. While you’re on the road, be mindful of what you’re eating. Personally, I like to try to replicate what I tend to eat at home – lots of protein and veggies, and minimal carbs and sweets. Now, obviously that doesn’t always work… and it is the holiday season. Go ahead and have some of your holiday favorites, but in moderation. If you’re helping with food prep, find ways to make favorite dishes a bit easier on your body, or incorporate new recipes, like these.

Be prepared. While all the above will help, the unexpected always happens – and for me, it nearly always effects my stomach. Before I go on a trip I make sure I head to Walmart to stock up on everything I might need for a stomachache. They always have everything I could need, and it’s easy to stock up on all the digestive products I need while I’m getting my other last-minute travel supplies.

Are you traveling for the holidays? What tips would you add to mine?