You’ve got everything all planned out from the plane tickets to the hotel reservations, but does any of that really matter if you’re feeling under the weather? Fortunately, you have the ability within you to prevent getting stressed or sick and risk the chance of ruining your big trip. The secret is to maintain your body’s built-in defense system that protects and defends against disease—your immune system. With a healthy lifestyle that includes liquid supplements and stress management, you can shield yourself and activate your own force field against whatever challenges come your way.
You may feel that this is more easily said than done. However, if you break down everything you need to do before your next trot across the globe, and take the smaller steps to get there, you will soon be on your way to an optimal experience.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Generally speaking, a healthy lifestyle that protects against disease includes the following:
Healthy diet
Just because you’re in Rome, doesn’t mean you have to eat as the Romans do. A proper diet helps you stay healthy by warding off infections like the common cold or the flu. Furthermore, eating healthy fruits and vegetables keeps you protected from chronic diseases down the road. Fruit and vegetables have become known as “super foods” due to their high concentration of immune system-boosting antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that strengthen and repair cells along with your immune system.
The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You can get them from your diet as well as liquid supplements. Some of the best foods for your diet and immune health are:
Beta-carotene
Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn, green peppers, kale, collard greens, nectarines, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.
Vitamin C
Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, oranges, peppers, snow peas, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.
Vitamin E
Broccoli, carrots, chard, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers, and spinach.
Taking vitamin supplements along with a healthy diet ensures you get the vitamins. Tip: you can get discount vitamins from sites like newvoucher.co.uk.
Physical Activity
Before you hail down that cycle rickshaw, consider getting to your next destination on foot. Living a healthy lifestyle means ditching sedentary habits, getting up, and moving. The FDA recommends plenty of standing and walking during long trips to help with circulation. Whatever your regimen, healthy activities are everywhere!
Plenty of Sleep
Your body needs time to recover from the demands of life (and late night parties). No matter how much you’re enjoying a new city, never let yourself go without getting enough sleep. A tired body takes strength away from the immune system and can give you a negative mood, increasing your stress levels.
Stay hydrated
Take a bottle of water with you every time you leave the hotel. Drinking plenty of fluids is essential in keeping yourself healthy and happy.
Stress management
Trying to catch your plane on time while slowly moving through a long security line is the worst. Stress can be damaging to the body, and make you an open target for health problems. Furthermore, your ability to make healthy decisions and food choices can become compromised when you’re under stress. Avoid making risky decisions. By planning ahead and getting to the airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled flight will increase your chances of sustained health through your next destination.
To effectively manage your stress while traveling, follow these simple steps:
Identify the source of stress
Are you traveling companions a little too high maintenance and causing you more anxiety than enjoyment? Pay special attention to your habits, attitude, and any excuses you may make to really find the key factors in what’s causing your stress. To control your stress, you have to take time out for yourself and get centered.
Look at how you currently cope with stress
Is it healthy or productive? Do you over eat, drink too many mojitos or find yourself taking it out on others?
Learn healthier ways to manage stress
Alter situations, adapt, or accept the things you cannot change. Adapt a healthier routines like the one out-lined above.
Avoid unnecessary stress
Don’t go for broke. Know your limits; say ‘no’ to things and events that you know won’t fit within your planned budget. Find a less expensive option that you’ll enjoy just as much.
Make time for fun and relaxation
Everyday, set aside some time for relaxation and do something you enjoy, such as visiting your favourite city abroad or buying tickets to the opera in Rome. Soak in the beauty of your surroundings and just absorb the positive energy all around you.
Get plenty of sunshine and/or vitamin D
Being deficient in vitamin D can greatly affect your mood and increase your stress. The best source for vitamin D is the sun, but if you’re spending a lot of time indoors or only enjoying the nightlife, Vitamin D liquid supplements can effectually deliver the boost your body needs while you’re away from home.
Photo credit: flickr user Domantas
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