You’re a jet-setter, a city-explorer and a thrill-seeker. Your 9-to-5 is merely a stepping stone to your next grand adventure, whether you’re hopping on a plane to discover a new culture, chasing the adrenaline rush of a mountain climb or taking to the road to uncover remote hidden gems.
Adventure seekers know one truth: An arsenal of gear and tools is a must-have, especially if you’re looking to stay safe and uphold a healthy lifestyle while traveling.
For that, we’re sharing our top tips for how to stay healthy while traveling to make the most out of your grand adventure.
#1 Stay Hydrated
In our books, hydration is always number one. Maintaining adequate levels of hydration throughout the day can help to:
- Regulate your body temperature
- Keep your joints lubricated
- Prevent illness
- Support organ function
- Improve sleep, cognition and mood
Current research suggests that we should be drinking far more than the recommended eight cups of water a day. Rather, it’s advised that women drink at least 11 cups of water a day, while men should up their intake to 16 cups of water daily.
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to regularly chug a whopping gallon of water, which can be difficult when traveling by plane or planning rest stops on your family vacation. Water-rich fruits and vegetables — like watermelon, cucumbers and oranges — can also contribute to your daily hydration needs.
That said it may be best for travelers to avoid sugar-laden beverages. An excess of high-sugar drinks can actually have the opposite effect on your health, leading to weight gain and reduced heart health.
#2 Prioritize Your Sleep
Adequate sleep is essential in maintaining your brain function, physical health, and mental health. It’s during this time of rest that the body is able to recharge, form memories and repair tissues. Further, it’s a time when cognitive functions, like learning, problem-solving and emotional regulation, are enforced.
According to sleep experts, adults should get at least seven hours of sleep a night. That said, additional factors can affect sleep quality, such as the duration of your rest and previous nights of sleep deprivation.
To enhance your sleep quality, even when on the road, consider incorporating:
- Sleeping masks and earplugs – Sleeping masks can help ensure complete darkness, which is crucial for melatonin production and a deeper sleep cycle. Earplugs, on the other hand, can drown out unfamiliar or disruptive noises, such as traffic or hotel neighbors, allowing you to maintain a peaceful and undisturbed sleep throughout the night.
- Travel pillow – Travel pillows provide comfort and support for your head and neck, making it easier to sleep in different settings. A good travel pillow can reduce strain on your neck and shoulders, preventing stiffness and discomfort. Look for one that’s compact yet supportive, and consider options like memory foam or inflatable pillows for easy packing. This added comfort can significantly enhance your ability to fall asleep and stayasleep while traveling.
- Relaxation techniques – Practice deep breathing, meditation, stretching or other calming activities to prepare your body for adequate sleep. These techniques can help reduce stress and nervousness, which are common when traveling and can interfere with sleep. Deep breathing exercises increase oxygen flow and promote relaxation, while meditation can clear your mind and improve overall mental health. Even simple stretching or listening to soothing music can create a more relaxed state that’s conducive to falling asleep, even when on the go.
- CBD oil – CBD oils & gummies are easy to pack and may help to promote relaxation, ease stress and provide relief to aches that may occur after a long travel day. When using CBD to promote a more restful night, start with a low dose and build upon it once you learn how your body and mind react. If this is new territory, tackle the question “What is oral CBD?” before starting your journey, then shop our CBN sleep gummies and premium CBD hemp oils for sale before your next trip.
#3 Practice Good Hygiene
It’s been instilled in us since childhood: maintaining good hygiene is essential to maintaining our overall health. So, while traveling, make sure to regularly wash your hands, take daily showers (when possible) and brush your teeth — even if that means using a travel-sized portable toothbrush and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
These practices are crucial in preventing the spread of germs, especially in new environments that your body may not yet be accustomed to.
To bolster your hygiene on travel days, you might also consider bringing along:
- Face masks – Essential for reducing the spread of airborne germs and providing protection in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. Pack a few extra masks in case they become dirty or lost.
- Disposable gloves – Useful for handling items in public spaces, such as door handles, railings and public restrooms, minimizing direct contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
- Sanitation wipes – Handy for quickly disinfecting surfaces such as airplane trays, seat belts, hotel room remotes and door handles. These are especially handy during flu season!
- Compact toiletry kit – Include travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and toothpaste, along with a toothbrush, dental floss and deodorant. This ensures you have all your essentials in one convenient place, making it easier to maintain your hygiene routine when on the go.
#4 Pack Healthy Snacks
Whether on the road or in a plane, healthy snacks can help keep your energy levels stable and prevent hunger between meals. All the healthy food options on this list are also solutions for how to boost immune systems naturally, helping to avoid the dreaded fate of falling sick on vacation. Keep up your healthy eating habits on the go - avoid junk food and opt for healthier options like:
- Nuts and seeds – These are rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber, and rank among thebest foods for brain health,making them a perfect snack to keep you sharp and satisfied for longer periods. Almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds are great healthy options that are easy to pack and carry.
- Fruit – Whether it’s fresh fruit or dried fruit, fruit like apples, bananas, apricots and cranberries can help deliver vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals to keep your immune system strong and provide a quick energy boost.
- Vegetables – Easy-to-eat vegetables like carrots, celery and bell peppers are perfect on-the-go healthy food that can also deliver your daily nutrients to maintain your overall health.
Zebra CBD: Your Travel Companion
For travelers, staying healthy is critical to having an unforgettable adventure. To stay in tip-top shape, prioritize hydration, practice good hygiene and nutrition, ease your stress levels and promote quality sleep.
For the latter, there is Zebra CBD.
Our premium CBD products are crafted with organic hemp extract to help ease you into your travel days — and your travel nights. Explore our CBD collections, where you'll find an array of wellness products from CBD topicals to CBD gummies for sale, and enjoy happy, healthy travels.
Sources:
- American Heart Association. Healthy Travel. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/healthy-travel
- Harvard School of Public Health. The importance of hydration. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration/
- Harvard Health Publishing. The sweet danger of sugar. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar
- NIH. Good Sleep for Good Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/04/good-sleep-good-health