Vacations are meant to be relaxing, but all too often, they leave us run-down or even sick. Late nights, cramped planes, indulgent foods, jet lag, and the general exhaustion can take their toll. To ensure that you disembark feeling refreshed rather than frazzled, follow these tips from a seasoned travel agent to stay healthy and peaceful when traveling abroad.

Plan Ahead with Travel Smart Products

Hand Sanitizer and Disinfecting Wipes
Say no to germs. Plan to rock your hand sanitizer, especially after contacting high-traffic surfaces like subway poles, airplane seats, handrails, and doorknobs. Leave the giant bottle at home though! I like this refillable option.

Disinfecting wipes are ideal for cleaning arm rests & tray tables (planes or trains), hotel room surfaces, stadium seats and more.

Hydration Essentials
Hydration is crucial, particularly on long flights. Bring a reusable water bottle and drink plenty of water throughout your trip. Especially if you are booking the drink package, consider an electrolyte packet to add to your wake up ritual everyday. I love this one because it has vitamins too!

Healthy Snacks
Simple healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and granola bars, are perfect to slip in a backpack for excursions and flights when you are hungry between meals. Don't be hangry, my friends.

Mind Your Sleep and Schedule

Adjust Your Sleep Schedule
Jet lag is a thing. Remember that when you are crossing oceans and continents, you will be awake when you are normally asleep. And vice versa. Your body will be like ?!?!? When clients are traveling across the pond, I advise them to plan at least ONE “down day” ahead of (cruise ship or land tour) embark to catch up to the new reality and help reset internal clocks.  

Get Plenty of Rest
So much to see and do, so it's tempting to cram pack your itinerary with excursions and late nights, but don't underestimate the importance of rest. This is your vacation so go to bed early and sleep in late! Order room service breakfast and make a plan for naps.

Maintain Healthy Habits

Stay Active
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, even if it’s just a breezy walk around the ship, town or resort to enjoy the dolphins or explore your destination. If there is a fitness center with yoga or spin classes along the beach/water, that is even better. Feels good to make it memorable if you can! Some cities have bike rentals or walking tours that combine exercise with sightseeing.

Eat Balanced Meals
Pizza <drools>  Nuff said. Nevertheless, you need the healthy stuff too. They say most people gain weight on a cruise or at a resort. You can opt for more natural and less processed choices. Go on, indulge in French Toast for breakfast, but aim for fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins for lunch? Avoid overindulging in alcohol, bar food and sweets, which can weaken your immune system and leave you feeling sluggish. Think of your food choices as medicine. Afterall, you booked those excursions, so be your best self for them!

Get Adequate Sleep
Prioritize sleep as much as possible. A well-rested body is better equipped to fight off illness. A sound machine, earplugs and a sleep mask are advisable to help you get restful sleep.

Boost Your Immune System
In the weeks leading up to your trip, focus on boosting your immune system. Take vitamins/supplements like Ashwagandha, Vitamin C and Zinc. Ensure you’re well-rested and nourished. I have become a giant supporter of Ryze, and I now take it with me in a small container when I travel. Over the years, I have decided that coming home from a trip (heavier, sunburned, constipated, bug bitten, etc.) and having to reset my physical body is too taxing. Healthy looks like keeping (diet, SPF, bug spray, vitamins, water, etc.) things as consistent as possible on a trip.  

Practical Travel Tips

Travel Insurance
You may be on top of your flights and excursions, but are you covered with travel insurance? Don’t count on your usual health insurance to cover you outside the country. An annual travel policy, in particular, is invaluable if you do frequent work and roadtrips in addition to your “big” vacations. And it is surprisingly affordable!

Pack a Health Kit
A small health kit with essentials such as pain relievers, antihistamines, band-aids, and (of course) prescription medications is gold when you are on the move. Otherwise, you might pay twice as much in tourist traps.

Long Haul Flight 101
Resist the urge to binge watch those new movies! Your objective on a long-haul flight is to sleep and combat jet lag. Trust me when I say that you DO NOT want to be awake for a 8-10 hour flight (I've done it twice!!). I like to start a movie as I take a Benadryl or Melatonin when I get on a long haul flight. Usually by the time the movie ends, I will have had dinner and wine. Eyes are heavy. Forget chit chat, it’s sleepy time!

Conclusion

Your vacation should be a time to unwind and enjoy new experiences, not a gateway to sickness. By planning ahead and adopting these healthy habits, you can increase your chances of rocking your trip. With a little preparation and mindfulness, you’ll return home and ease back into your routine with wonderful photos and memories..and no unwanted souvenirs ;)