Going on vacation is the perfect time for celebrating with family and friends. However, all of the eating and drinking can take a toll on our health.
While it’s perfectly okay to indulge now and then, why not try to stay healthy this year while you’re on vacation? Let’s take a look at some tips on how you can stay healthy – from packing tips to staying active, we’ve got it all!
Keep your hands sanitized
One way to keep everyone healthy while on vacation is to make sure that everyone’s hands are clean. Make sure you always have hand sanitizer on you, and make sure you use it often, especially before eating. Avoid shaking hands with people you don’t know, and give your hands a clean if you’ve grabbed any surfaces or rails.
While soap and water are the best options, hand sanitizer is the next best thing. Make sure you’ve got one with at least 60% alcohol to kill off the germs. It’s so easy to become unwell when you’re on vacation, and the last thing you want to do is spend your vacation time in the bathroom. So, keep your hands clean!
Pack an emergency first-aid kit
You never know what’s going to happen in a strange country, so it’s important to be prepared for anything. Make sure you pack an emergency first aid kit with plasters, antihistamines, wound vac supplies, dressings, and gauze. While it’s important to seek medical attention if someone is hurt, you can take action to prevent anything from becoming too serious.
If you’re planning on hiking where it might take some time to get to a hospital, it’s a good idea to take your first aid kit with you in your backpack. Even if it’s only a small graze, cleaning the wound and covering it will help prevent any infections.
Pack your snacks
While your goal while on vacation might be to try new cuisines, it’s important to try and stay healthy when it comes to your snacks. One of the easiest ways to stay healthy while on vacation is to pack your own so that you also aren’t tempted to spend more money than needed. Here are some healthy snack ideas:
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Yoghurt or cheese sticks
- Granola bars or trail mix
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Veggie chips
- Whole grain crackers
Choose restaurants carefully
When you’re trying to eat healthily on holiday, it’s important to choose your restaurants carefully. Look for restaurants that offer fresh and local ingredients and have lots of different options. Not only will your body thank you for delicious and healthy food, but you’ll feel more energized when it comes to exploring your location throughout your vacation.
Limit your alcohol intake
While there’s nothing wrong with a few drinks while you’re on vacation, it’s also important to limit how much you drink. Too much alcohol can lead to dehydration and lack of sleep, which will impact your health. Not only that, but being somewhere new could lead to being lost, running into the wrong kind of crowd, or even accidentally hurting yourself. If you are going to have a drink, make sure to drink water between each alcoholic drink. It’s also a good idea to carry a water bottle around with you to stay hydrated, especially if you’re vacationing somewhere hot.
Always use sunscreen
If you are vacationing somewhere hot and sunny, you’ll understandably want to get a tan, but one of the most important things to remember in a hot country is to wear sunscreen, even if you’re only outside for a small amount of time. So, make sure you apply it regularly and top yourself throughout the day to avoid skin cancer.
Stay active
While it can be tempting to spend your entire vacation lounging on sunbeds or the beach, being active is so important. Not only will you feel better for it, but you’ll be less likely to become unwell. So, go for a walk along the beach, go for a swim, or go and explore your surroundings. You’ll see more and you’ll be glad you did it!
Stay hydrated
Finally, as mentioned above, it’s so important to stay hydrated while you’re on vacation, especially if you’re traveling to a hot climate. Try to avoid sodas or fruit juices as they won’t help with hydration levels. Remember it’s always best to drink pre-bottled water as some countries don’t have safe drinking water from their taps. If you are dehydrated, you can also drink sports drinks with electrolytes to refuel, but water is always best.
