Making travel plans for the holidays can be stressful, and the last thing that you need is to worry about staying healthy. Although, that is easier said than done, as you are more likely to get sick when traveling than staying at home. Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks that you can follow to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy while visiting your loved ones this holiday season.
Ready to learn more? From washing your hands to avoiding crowds and more, here are 10 tips to help you stay healthy while traveling for the holidays.
1. Pack Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfectant wipes are a must while traveling for the holidays. Believe it or not, there are many different surfaces and items that never or rarely get cleaned, which means that there are germs lingering nearly everywhere. So bringing along disinfectant wipes can help you stay healthy. Use the wipes on commonly touched surfaces such as your airplane seat tray, door knobs, remote controls, and your rental vehicle.
2. Wash Your Hands More Often
We all know that you should wash your hands, especially after being out in public and coming into contact with things that you normally wouldn’t be exposed to. Washing your hands is even more important when traveling. You will come into contact with many different surfaces and items that hundreds of other people have probably already touched, and you don’t want these germs on your hands. So just be conscious of washing your hands more frequently than usual, and you’ll already be ahead of the game.
3. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can cause havoc on your body, and just make you feel not quite like yourself. Flying on an airplane can cause you to become dehydrated more quickly, which means that you should be extra conscious of your water intake while traveling for the holidays. Bring along a reusable water bottle with you to ensure that you’re drinking enough water. Not only will this help keep you hydrated, but you also won’t have to pay for overpriced water at the airport.
4. Find Ways to Destress
Holiday travel can be hectic. More cars are on the roads, airports are crowded, and there just seems to be people everywhere you look. This can cause you to take on a lot of stress, which isn’t good for your mental or physical health. It’s crucial that you find ways to manage this stress, so that you can be your best self. If things start to get overwhelming, try meditating, deep breathing, stretching, or taking a walk outside in nature.
5. Bring Hand Sanitizer
When you’re traveling for the holidays, there may be times when you don’t have access to a sink to wash your hands. If you think that this may happen to you, pack along some hand sanitizer in your backpack or purse. Hand sanitizer can be used to help get rid of germs after visiting public places, and is a good short term solution, especially if you can’t find a bathroom nearby.Â
6. Avoid Crowds
We understand that this tip may be easier said than done, considering that there are plenty of crowds around while traveling for the holidays. Though it’s important to try your best to avoid crowded places as much as possible, as they can expose you to unwanted germs. If you still have to go out in public, but want to stay away from crowds, try to avoid visiting places during peak hours, and do your best to keep your distance from others.
7. Stay Active
Traveling typically comes with a lot of sitting. Whether it’s on a plane or in a car, you’re probably going to be sedentary for a long period of time while traveling for the holidays. To offset this, try to get up and move when you can. For example, if you’re waiting to board your plane, walk around the airport, or, if you’re driving, stop at a rest stop every once in a while so that you can get out of the car, stretch your legs, and get in a quick walk.
8. Get Plenty of Sleep
Getting a poor night’s sleep can negatively impact your day, which can be especially difficult to handle while traveling. Sleep is key to having a healthy mind, body, and soul, so it’s crucial that you prioritize it while gone for the holidays. Try to go to bed at a reasonable time every night, and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep when possible. If for some reason you don’t end up getting enough sleep one night, a quick nap can do wonders for your health.
9.Bring Nutritious Snacks
Travel days can end up being lengthy, and the last thing you want is to sit around all day and not have anything to eat. Additionally, airports and gas stations don’t usually have the most healthy snack options. This is why we highly recommend bringing your own nutritious snacks along with you. Some snack ideas that you can take with you include mixed nuts, protein bars, beef jerky, trail mix, or popcorn.Â
10. Listen to Your Body
Most importantly, you should always listen to what your body is telling you, especially while you’re traveling for the holidays. Between long travel days and having to do things that are out of your normal routine can be stressful and hard on your body. So be sure to take extra care of yourself. At the end of the day, your health is the most important thing you have!
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season! If you plan on traveling out of the country for the holidays or sometime in the new year, and need to get a passport or visa, we can help. Visit our website to get the application process started, and our team of travel experts will be happy to assist you in obtaining your travel documents. No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
