6 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling
| 3 min read
Looking forward to a much-needed vacation? Have a work trip planned? Chaperoning your child’s overnight field trip?
No matter the occasion, there’s no reason you can’t pack some healthy habits along with your clothing and toiletries. By having a plan to take care of yourself while you’re away, you’ll be able to make it through your trip feeling healthy and happy. Check out these six tips to help keep you and your family well while traveling:
- Don’t skip breakfast.
When you’re out of your normal routine, it’s easy to forget things like eating a healthy breakfast. Skipping breakfast worsens your body’s already low morning blood sugar, which means your muscles and brain won’t be functioning at their fullest potential. Get your body up and running by eating something with protein (eggs or yogurt are great sources) and fiber (whole grains and fruit have lots of it).
- Apply sunscreen before you go outside.
Sunscreen is a staple all year long. Before you head out for the day, apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 protection to exposed areas of skin (and reapply every few hours). Research has found that applying sunscreen daily can reduce your risk of melanoma by 50%.
- Stay hydrated.
It is easy to forget to drink water when you’re traveling. Turn staying hydrated into a no-brainer by starting the day with an eight-ounce glass of water and having another one with each meal. If you’re sweating or being active, replenish your fluids even more often. And don’t forget you can get water from foods, too—fruits like watermelons are very hydrating.
- Pack snacks.
Exploring a new place can make it tough to eat every meal on time. Stay well-fueled by packing healthy snacks like nuts and low-sugar granola bars in your bag. This way you have a backup plan if you’re feeling hungry or low on energy.
- Keep a first aid kit on hand.
Injuries can happen anywhere, so it’s smart to pack a travel-size first aid kit. Beyond those bandages and antiseptic wipes, it’s also a good idea to bring any prescription medications, inhalers or an EpiPen that you or your loved ones may require – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Blue Cross member? Download the BCBSM mobile app.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan mobile app provides the most valuable peace of mind you can find. It can help you find a doctor wherever you are, connect with a nurse to answer questions 24-hours a day, check your coverage and review your claims.
Like this post? Read more like it:
Photo credit: Denali National Park and Preserve
