HOW TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE TRAVELLING

Traveling no doubt can be hectic. Between sitting for long hours on planes or buses, getting into a new environment and adjusting to the new dining options, travellers sometimes slip into unhealthy living.Jovago.com has put together a few tips for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling.

Plan ahead

It is good to always plan ahead and reduce the stress that one might encounter on the trip. When getting an accommodation, it is better to look for a hotel that has an on-site kitchen. This will surely help in getting good cooked food to eat. It will also help if the hotel has a fitness centre where you can go and sweat it out. 

Drink water

Drink plenty water! It is important to keep the body hydrated, especially when you will be doing a lot of running around. Water helps boost your energy. You should avoid drinking alcohol while traveling because it causes dehydration.Dehydration often leads to confusion and discomfort. While drinking water is great, make sure it is potable water. Don’t go drinking from just any tap or water source you find. Contaminated water can make you feel sick. It is better to buy bottled water and, always check to make sure they are sealed.

Exercise

Try as much as possible to stay active even in your seat on a bus, train or flight. Are you seated in a cramped up bus? You should try some simple exercise that will help avoid cramps

-          Sit forward, lift one leg up at a time and tighten the muscles for 6 seconds.

-          While sitting, move your legs like you are pedalling on a bicycle

-          Stretch your legs from time to time.

If your hotel has a fitness centre, take advantage of it and do some cardio. It is okay if there is no gym in sight. You can easily just do squats and push ups right in your room. If it is a safe and comfortable area, jogging in the morning or evening would be good. You can also take long walks, ride a bicycle or go swimming.

Eat, Fruits and Vegetables

Often when travelling, a lot of people end up eating a lot of junk that might not be good for the body. Because you are likely to get hungry on the road, you should pack with you some healthy snacks and fruits. There are usually stops on long journeys; use the opportunity to get more supplies. As much as possible, eat enough vegetables. Eating so much of Carbohydrate is generally not so good for the body. You can try adding protein food to your meal as they help rebuild muscles. Generally, avoid any food you know will upset your stomach. Be careful when trying out a new delicacy.

Stay away from restaurants or local cafeterias that are dirty. You don’t want to eat contaminated food. Eat well cooked food, vegetables, fruits and drink potable water.

Relax and Sleep

Getting stuck in traffic in Lagos or missing your direction in Abuja can be annoying, but try and stay calm through it. Take a cold shower when you get back to your hotel room. Do take time out to relax and get enough sleep.  Let your body adjust to the new environment and find its rhythm. If for any reason you have to skip sleep, make it a priority to catch uplater.

Not every place you visit will be clean; you should wash your hand regularly and carry along hand sanitizers.  As the saying goes, health is wealth. Avoid the strains travelling can put on your health by being proactive and take necessary precautions.