When it comes to traveling, people can be divided into two categories: Those who see trips as a chance to indulge and forget their health for a while and those who want to keep their wellness goals in check.
You fall into the second category. You don’t want your upcoming trip to derail your health progress, and that’s commendable!
We get it, though. Staying healthy in the face of so much temptation and a disrupted routine can be challenging.
One way to keep your exercise routine on track is to use filters on your booking platform, like Hotel Engine, to find lodging with a fitness center. Then, make sure you pack well and avoid as many obstacles as possible.
With these travel essentials, your health and nutrition mission can stay in full operation no matter where you go.
Table of Contents
1. Preventative Care
The COVID-19 pandemic may be (mostly) over, but the lessons we learned from it remain. Prevention is the key to avoiding many germs and, therefore, illnesses.
Outside your normal routine, you’re exposed to various germs you can’t control. You can include some basic preventative measures in your travel kit that keep you safe from many of those bugs.
For those who want to stay healthy while on the road, add these must-haves to your carry-on:
- Easy-access hand sanitizer
- Airborne or Emergen-C to boost your immune system
- Your daily vitamins (Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, at a minimum)
Keep some B12 sublingual drops on hand for a little extra energy when you start to feel drowsy. It’s a healthier alternative than drinking caffeinated beverages that give you an adrenaline spike followed by a quick crash.
2. First-Aid Kit
Filling your travel kit with preventative essentials is part of the planning process. Now, you need to add the products you’ll use if you do fall under the weather or get hurt on your trip.
The items you pack depend on your preferences, of course. Some people stick with all-natural solutions, while others would rather have over-the-counter medicines.
No matter what your preferred treatment course is, pack a first-aid kit with items that handle these common ailments:
- Band-aids for scrapes and cuts
- Antibiotic ointment for infections and burns
- Instant cold packs for bumps and bruises
- Pain and fever relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Sleep aids (you don’t want to have an important event the next day and spend the evening tossing and turning)
- Thermometer
- Tweezers and scissors
- ACE bandage wrap
- Calamine lotion for itches
- Allergy medication
- Stomach aids (anti-diarrheal, antacids)
- Cold relief meds
- Cough drops
If you’re putting together a travel kit to use on all your future trips, make a list of the perishable items and write the expiration date next to the name. Keep the list in your kit, and look at the dates before you head out. At a glance, you’ll know which items need to be replaced.
3. Hydration
Your body primarily functions with the nutrients you feed and the water you provide. You’re clogging your system down if you drink a lot of non-water beverages but not too much straight H2O.
At some point, it will start rebelling, and it will probably be while you’re off your routine.
As a general rule, traveling means you’re off your normal sleeping, eating, and other patterns. This causes a lot of people to get sick during or after their trip.
Staying hydrated with plenty of fluids (i.e., water) is an instant deterrent to these common post-trip illnesses.
4. Travel-Sized Toiletries
If you’re flying, TSA regulations limit what toiletries you can bring on the plane with you. You run the risk of leaks destroying your clothing by packing liquids like shampoo, conditioner, and face wash in a suitcase and checking it, though.
If you don’t plan on using the hotel toiletries or buying your health and hygiene goods when you get where you’re going, invest in a TSA-approved travel kit. Then, pour your favorite liquids into the smaller bottles, and double up as needed.
Don’t forget to include moisturizer, toothpaste, and mouthwash in these 3.4-ounce containers. Your deodorant should pass through without a problem, regardless of the size.
Hygiene is a crucial part of health and wellness. You don’t have to skimp on your cellular care while you’re away from home.
Conclusion
Sometimes, getting away from the daily grind is what the doctor ordered for your mental health. If you’re not careful, that trip can play havoc with your physical wellness. Use these tips to ensure you’re packing the travel essentials you need to stay in shape wherever you go.