By Kim Waggoner
RN Waggoner Health, Etna Green

I have done more traveling than normal this summer. A week at camp, another one in Haiti and this morning I head out for a conference in Long Beach. I thought I would share some of the things I do keep in a healthy routine while I travel.

Whether you are traveling across your state, across the country or across the world, traveling always seems to include more stress, less sleep, different foods, fast food choices, change in exercise routines and exposure to more germs. All of these things can weaken your immune system and increase your chances for getting ill.

Here are some tips to help you have a healthy travel experience:

• Plan Ahead. Pack healthy snacks so you won’t be tempted to grab expensive junk food. Healthy snacks include protein bars, fresh fruit like apples or bananas, or dried fruits, nuts, or jerky. Pack an empty reusable water jug. Drink lots of water during your trip to keep your body hydrated and eliminating toxins.
• Be Informed. If you are traveling to another country visit the Center for Disease Control’s website www.cdc.gov/travel for information on any warnings, alerts or immunizations you may need to protect yourself from disease or illness. You can get all of your immunizations at a local pharmacy or the Health Department.
• Boost up on Supplements. I definitely suggest daily taking a high quality multivitamin and then adding some additional supplements while you travel. Vitamin C and Probiotics are great for supporting your immune health. B Complex helps with the increased stress of travel. Calcium and Magnesium supplements have been shown to help with relaxation. Ginger is a great way to curb nausea that may occur during flights or long car rides.
• Get Your Sleep. Your body is under extra stress while traveling, plan on a good night’s sleep so that your body has time to repair and boost immune functions. It can be hard to sleep in a strange place. Get a free app on your smartphone that has different sounds that are soothing to promote sleep. I have the Sleep Pillow app. Use essential oils. Spray some lavender on your pillowcase or put the oil on your feet or pulse points to help you relax and sleep better away from home.
• Stay Active. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or use the hotel fitness center. Pack your swimsuit and jump in the pool. Another great option is to download a few exercises on your smartphone or tablet. I love www.burstclub.com. This workout program is portable on your device and takes less than 20 minutes to get a good workout in! Exercise also relieves stress and improves sleep.
• Have Fun! Whether you are on vacation or traveling for business. Make sure you make time to have some fun!

I’d love to hear places you have traveled this summer. Share with me on my Facebook Page Kim Waggoner Health.

This column is for you! Please share any topics with me that you want more information on.

Have a great week! Here’s to your health!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kim Waggoner is a wife, mom, nurse and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Survivor. Her passion is to come alongside others, encouraging them to create healthy, happy, hopeful lives. Kim is the owner of Waggoner Health and writes a blog, www.kimwaggoner.com to educate and inspire others.