Spring break is coming: seven tips for healthy travel
Spring break is just around the corner for many schools and colleges. If you’re planning a vacation with family or friends, here are some travel tips that will serve you well wherever you roam!
1. Wear socks in airports
Yeah, I know, it’s SPRING break and sandals are what’s up. But now that shoes have to come off in airport security lines, the other thing that’s up is the bacteria count on those tile floors. Do you really want to walk barefoot where thousands of strangers have rubbed their sweaty toes?
2. Stay hydrated
OK, so this is a health tip for every day of your life. It’s especially important on planes, though: the recycled air in cabins is very dry, so you’ll need a little extra fluid. Also, drinking all that H2O will make sure you have to get up and use the restroom during the flight. Even a little bit of movement can help prevent blood clots in your legs.
3. Try ginger for motion sickness
It goes without saying that travel requires transportation, and that’s rarely the best part of the trip. If you’re prone to motion sickness in cars, planes, buses, boats, and/or rickshaws, try traveling with ginger. No, you don’t have to be the weirdo who sucks on raw ginger root (although I have a friend who swears by that method to combat her pregnancy nausea). You can get relief from ginger ale, hard candies, or chews. Not a fan of ginger? Lemon drops and peppermints help, too!
4. Pack medicine in your carry on bag
If you’re flying, make sure any vital medicine goes in your carry on. It would just be too tragic to feel lousy during vacation because your checked luggage went missing. Depending on where you’re heading, you might also want to keep some over-the-counter pain meds and essential toiletries like contact solution by your side. It may not be easy to find them once you land.
5. Get moving
During long road trips, the best things for kids’ bodies and adults’ sanity is taking regular breaks from the car. Rest stops and playgrounds offer children a chance to safely run around or play games while their parents stretch. After a “get moving” break, kids may even be tuckered out enough to nap in the car… ahhh, the sweet sound of silence from the backseat.
6. Research vaccinations far in advance
If you’re visiting another country, the Center for Disease Control has an amazing website on international travel health. You can select your destination and see a list of recommended and required vaccinations for people of all ages. Some vaccinations require multiple doses given over a period of several weeks, so make sure to plan this aspect of your trip ahead of time!
7. Overcome jet lag
If your internal clock gets off, it can make you tired and cranky for days. When you reach your vacation spot, settle into to the new time zone as quickly as possible by matching your meals and sleep schedule to the local time. You can also prepare for the change before your trip by adjusting your sleep pattern a few days early and getting plenty of rest before you leave. That way, even if you don’t instantly fall into the new rhythm, you’ll have some ZZZs in the bank.
It goes without saying, of course, than you should remember your sunscreen. Happy trails to you!
– Jennie Saia, Contributing Editor