Picture this…you are so ready for your vacation, you have been anticipating this trip for a long time, you have put in lots of energy and effort in preparation of having the time of your life!
You are beyond excited because it is finally here! As your landing in the most beautiful place you have ever seen, you feel lightheaded. The excitement and awe must be overwhelming you right? No, no, you’re just fine! You will get to your room soon, settle in and relax! You proceed to your hotel, check in to your gorgeous resort suite, put your stuff down and just exhale…
You still feel lightheaded? Even fatigued? Now, you are wondering why this feeling is still with you. But you brush it off, because hey, you have been traveling for many hours now, so it is only natural to feel tired right? In being the sensible person that you are, you decide to take just a quick nap, rest your body and reenergize! Yes, that is a great idea!
An hour later, you awaken to a burning sensation in your throat, your body feels sore and your nose is stuffy. IN SHEER HORROR, you now realize that you have gotten SICK at the start of your vacation! It’s a gut punch!
Unfortunately, this scene is all too common. Studies have shown that traveling can have a negative effect on the immune system, especially when flying and therefore, it becomes easier for you to fall ill. The last thing anyone wants to do while on vacation is lay in a bed all day, guzzling cold medicine while missing out on all the exploration and excitement your destination has to offer. So, let us talk about how you can prepare your immune system and help your body prevent getting sick.
Everyday health initiatives should be something most people are doing on a regular basis for the betterment of their lives. But when a trip is on the horizon there are a few extra measures that one can take in the weeks leading up to your trip to ensure a healthy well-rounded immune system ready to take on the stress of traveling.
EXERCISE: 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week. This will rejuvenate your blood cells and boost your body’s ability to fight off illnesses. It will also prepare your body to be more active should you not currently exercise regularly, which will give you stamina as you embark on the activities of your trip.
SLEEP WELL: Make sure you are getting 7-8 hours of restful sleep. It is important to maintain a positive sleep schedule so that your body can balance itself out between exhausting activity and rest.
EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: You can attain lots of vitamins that will fight off illness simply by incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. For example,
broccoli, strawberries and bell peppers are excellent sources of Vitamin C which is an antioxidant and helps prevent iron deficiency that will then boost your blood cells to transport oxygen more abundantly throughout your whole body!
TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS OR ADD IN ESSENTIAL OILS: Rhodiala Rosea increases energy, Magnesium improves sleep, Elderberry improves immunity, Vitamin D supports general health, Probiotics can ease digestive issues and Peppermint oil can soothe headaches and fatigue.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER: Water is essential in keeping a healthy immune system. It carries oxygen to your blood cells resulting in the proper functioning of your overall system. It flushes out and removes toxins from your body which have a negative effect on your immune system. It also prevents toxins from building up and placing stress on your immune system.
We can all agree that getting sick is never fun, but while you are on vacation, it can be flat out depressing! So just be proactive and take a few small steps to help your body battle germs and be strong! When your healthy and feeling energized…your travel experiences will be beyond your wildest dreams! Stay safe and healthy!