Happy happy Tuesday!
Today, I’m sharing a little look at LIFE LATELY (so pop over and check out that post!), and it’s another edition of…
I love Shay’s Ways because I share my ideas and then you ladies all share yours too…and together, we get a whole bunch of great ideas.
Today, I’m sharing HOW I TRY TO STAY HEALTHY WHEN I TRAVEL.
Now, today’s topic has been on my “to blog” list for YEARS because so many of you have asked about it. I’ve been hesitant to share though because…let’s be real, it’s mostly dumb luck.
Do I *try* and do certain things to hopefully keep me healthy/prevent me from getting sick?
Yes.
Am I probably traveling so much and staying healthy though in part to random good fortune?
YES.
Needless to say, this isn’t the gospel. These are just a few ideas. Take them or leave them, but certainly consider them all given as ways “I try” and not “do this and you will certainly stay healthy”.
We are the Shulls…
…and we are like to travel. A LOT.
Save a few random bouts of food poisoning, we pretty much travel illness-free. (I’m probably setting myself up to be humbled and now, the next time we all travel, we’ll all get the flu…)
Now, do you see those other five people in the photo? I am not speaking for them in this post. As much as I would love to say my kids do all these things below before they travel, they don’t. Despite my best efforts, they probably stay up late the night before, have a sugary drink and fast food at the airport for breakfast, touch a million disgusting public things, put their hands in their siblings’ faces, and then blow their noses.
Needless to say, these are my “ways” to *try* and stay healthy while traveling and not their ways 🙂 .
Here we go…
#1: I GO TO SLEEP EARLY THE NIGHT BEFORE
No one feels well when they’re exhausted, right? It’s not always possible, but I try so so hard to go to sleep early the night before I travel. There are many times when my flight is so early it means I have to wake up at 2:00 AM to get to the airport in time…which means, I am in my bed and asleep by 8:00. Of course, there are times when this just isn’t possible, but I try really hard to make this happen when I can. I personally find it unnatural to wake up at 2:00 AM, so yes, I’m still tired when my alarm goes off, but I’m at least “less tired” than if I had stayed up until 10:00 or 10:30. Even if my flight is later in the day, I still try and get to bed early the night before so that I’m rested when I board.
I’ve shared this before, but I don’t just think about my sleep before my flight, I think about my sleep on my flight too…
#2: I DON’T NAP ON FLIGHTS
…which is why I don’t nap on airplanes. If I’m on an overnight flight, I will actually SLEEP (like put myself down to bed), but on shorter flights that don’t require an overnight, I stay awake. (You can read more in my 13 KEYS FOR MANAGING JET LAG post.)
Why?
Because I find that napping puts me in a spiral of sleeping issues. If I nap on a flight, not only do I feel extra icky when I wake up, but it almost always makes me too well rested to go to sleep at a “normal” time that night. And then I have trouble sleeping. And then I wake up feeling tired. And then that opens Pandora’s box.
I find that staying awake just always makes me feel better and napping never results in me feeling like my best self on a trip.
#3: HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE
Well, of course!
I drink a lot of water on flights (it’s almost all I drink when I’m flying…unless it’s early and then, I’ll have coffee). I also bring with me electrolyte packets for the flight too. (I’ve blogged about those before as well!) Flying is so dehydrating to begin with, so I make sure I’m drinking a ton of water before I travel, while I’m traveling and when I return from traveling. I hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I also…
#4: I PACK MY PROTEIN
I don’t want to be hungry when I’m traveling, but I also don’t want to depend on fast food and convenience store snacks either. On my travel day, I make sure I eat plenty of protein before/during/after. If I need a snack, I almost always bring nuts, protein bars, and beef jerky. I will also bring individually packaged protein powder too (you just add it to water and shake). I personally won’t feel great if I arrive at my destination full of a bunch of snacks.
#5: AND I PACK MY SUPPLEMENTS TOO
I often use traveling as a time to take a break from allllll the supplements. It’s a great opportunity for me to pause those things (while also not having to pack them). That being said, there are certain ones that do pair really well for me when traveling like my Vitamin C and my super greens (like AG1). I will toss these things in my bag and continue to use them on my travel days and trip. I really do think they help.
#6: OF COURSE, I WASH AND CARRY ANTIBACTERIAL
I feel like this goes without saying, but I’m always using antibacterial and washing my hands. Do I wipe down every surface of my airplane seat? No way. Do I just routinely cleanse my hands and try not to touch too many germy things? Yes.
#7: I MOVE BEFORE AND AFTER
Unless my flight is so early that I have to wake up in the middle of the night, I try to at least “get some steps in” on my walking pad before departure. If I have time for a full workout, I do it. While I’m traveling, I try and make time to workout every day too. I move before I travel, on my travels, and I try to move at the airport too. If I know that I’m about to sit on the flight for the next few hours, then I try not to sit while waiting for said flight. I try to stand up and walk as much as possible before boarding. I’m just a big fan of “moving”, so I try and incorporate it as much as I can when I’m in travel mode.
#8: I TRY NOT TO STRESS
I LOVE TO TRAVEL. Other than spending time with my family, traveling is my FAVORITE thing to do. Full stop. Period. End of sentence. I am a traveler. I am also a travel agent, so I understand that even the very very best plans can be interrupt by travel issues such as weather, delays, and of course, illness. Flights get missed, excursions get cancelled, hotels lose power, drivers get lost…a lot can go wrong on a trip. I try so so so so hard not to stress about it though. Stressing doesn’t help me solve any of my travel woes, so I try really hard to just roll with it. Some of our best/funniest travel memories have been made in the chaos.
And those are some of the ways I *try* to stay healthy when I travel. Of course, I would LOVE to know what you do too!! Please, please, please comment and share!
Don’t forget, I have so many other SHAY’S WAYS you can check out as well.
Just look:
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to Simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
9 Keys to Returning from a Trip
12 Keys to Leaving Your Kiddos When You Travel
13 Keys to Meal Planning
8 Keys to Creating Daily Routines You Love
21 Keys to Elevating the Everyday
13 Keys to Managing Jet Lag
9 Keys to a Cozy Halloween Night
19 Keys to Hosting Festive & Easy Holiday Parties
12 Keys to Adding Activity into the Everyday
17 Keys to Working From Home
9 Easy Afternoon Energizers
14 Simple Luxuries
8 Keys to Finding a Gym
21 Ways I Hygge
12 Ways for a Happier Day
7 Keys to Reducing/Avoiding Motion Sickness
8 Ways to Add “Vacation” to the Everyday
10 Keys to Getting Ready to Workout
Plus, I also have…
…TRAVELING WITH KIDS (I put all my helpful tips in that post!) as well as WHAT’S IN MY KIDS’ CARRY ON BAGS, my FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO CRUISING, my 12 KEYS FOR LEAVING THE KIDDOS AT HOME WHEN YOU TRAVEL, plus HOW I PREP FOR A TRIP and HOW I RETURN HOME FROM A TRIP.
Happy Tuesday, everyone! Don’t forget to catch LIFE LATELY today too. I hope you have a wonderful day! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
I always try to move at the airport especially when waiting for flights. Plus i pack my own snacks, saves money from buying things there and i know they are healthy too!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erin says
So my problem with hydrating, hydrating, hydrating on the plane is peeing, peeing, peeing on the plane. Like I have a real concern about needing to pee urgently, but hitting turbulence and not being allowed to get up. Anyone else???
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s me too! It’s SO hard being that person. I try so so so hard to always be on the aisle, but if I’m not, I just apologize profusely to my seatmate.
Kelly Sites says
Love these great tips. I travel A LOT for my job (mostly international) but also domestic. I do all the same things that you stated. I traveled a few weeks ago and had 2 long layovers so between the two I walked 7 miles in the airport for exercise. NO JOKE. 7 miles. I use the time to listen to a podcast while walking my head off. I love doing it. I put ice in my water bottle before I leave for the airport (you can take ice through TSA) and fill up a gazillion times with the free filtered water in the airports. I think these two things keep me doing great with traveling. I also push through the fatigue and jet leg on day one of arrival wherever I am, and get on the time zone schedule. I feel yuck that day, typically, but I don’t let myself nap and try to stay awake until a decent bedtime on that time zone. That sets my clock and helps me get on that time zone quickly. I also wash my hands like a crazy person constantly while traveling.
Mix and Match Mama says
I am IMPRESSED with seven miles, Kelly!!
Kristin says
Thanks for sharing your tips!! I always stress about hydrating unless we have the aisle and middle seats. I don’t want to get up constantly and irritate my neighbor, especially if it’s an overnight flight. Flying back from New Zealand, I was super worried, both about the bathroom and DVT, because we didn’t have an aisle seat. Fortunately, the guy next to me drank bourbon through the entire flight, and was constantly getting up to use the bathroom himself, so I had no problems!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am one of those “always have to potty on a plane” people. It’s hard being that person.
Kristin says
So awkward. I am waiting for someone to tell me to talk to my doctor!!
Lisa D says
I have been traveling a lot for 3 years, helping aging parents has been the main reason for most of my trips. I always walk in the airport and avoid junk food like the plague! Also lots of water.
Paula Hobbs says
Great tips, Shay! I cannot sleep on a plane, or a train or in a car or on a boat. LOL 🙂 I’m not really a napper at all, but certainly not in a moving vehicle etc. I’m too afraid I’ll miss something or wake up in a foul mood.
Libby says
I do wipe down my seat area, especially after my husband told me a child had their shoes off and had their bare feet all over the place, including the tray. The parents did nothing to discourage/redirect them.
Nikki says
Great tips! I can’t nap on planes because I’m mentally keeping it in the air with my anxiety 😉 LOL I suppose I need to reduce stress too!
http://www.nikkiinnewengland.blogspot.com
Kerry says
This came at just the right time as I head off on vacay next week. Thank you for the tips. I even went back and read your “How I prep for a trip” and that came in handy too. I added a few things to my to-do list for this weekend. Brilliant tips.
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope you have a WONDERFUL vacation!
Elizabeth says
Perfect timing for your tips AND the picture of your cuties in the Cotswolds! Thanks to Clare, Shanna, and all your blog posts, my family is heading to the UK in a week! I always pack my electrolytes and protein. This is our first red eye flight in awhile, so making sure we have all the things to “go to bed” on the plane will be important!
Mix and Match Mama says
Eeeeeeks! I am so so excited for you! I hope you have the BEST time! Thank YOU for allowing us to be a part of your vacation!
Emily Ewing says
We just got back from a Mix and Match travel Disney vacation in August. Although this is not a tip to stay well… I came down with a stomach virus at Disney and a company came to my Disney hotel with an IV loaded with all the things and saved our trip!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am SO sorry you were not feeling fabulous the entire trip. I am grateful you got the fluids you needed though! Thank YOU For allowing us to be a part of your trip!
Kristin S says
I agree with so many of these. I am the weirdo making laps around the terminal before flights. I’m always nervous a gate will change so I check at every lap.
And, water. As I board a plane, I ask the flight attendant for a can/bottle of water to supplement my filled water bottle. Sure, I go to the bathroom a lot on the plane (so gross) but that also keeps me moving (afraid of blood clots) and hydrated.
And I try try try to keep regular workouts going while traveling. It’s not easy and modifications have to happen but I think it helps my body stay regulated.
Finally, I’m the weirdo who has wiped down airplane seats/armrests/trays/seatbelts with Wet Wipes for the last 30 years. People seem to lose all sense of decorum on planes and just do gross things. I know I’m not preventing all germs but I like to do my best to prevent gross bodily fluids, etc.
Beth Knecht says
Ok Shay, I need your advice. I have a pulled a muscle along with probably adhesions to my C-section scar. What exercise would you do? I’m trying to lift and do arm workouts but I can’t run or walk fast until everything heals. Exercise is my therapy typically!
Sara N. says
Packing protein bars, beef jerky and other proteins is such a game changer on flights! I always pack some type of moisturizer because I feel like my skin is always so dry after a flight (especially a long one).
Michele says
Do you & your family get a yearly flu shot also to help not get sick?
Mix and Match Mama says
We are not consistent flu shot people.
Brett says
What protein powder do you get that mixes well with water? I feel like they tend to stay clumpy. Thanks !!
Mix and Match Mama says
I use Clean Simple Eats. They have individual packages that I buy for traveling (and then I purchase the big bags for home).
Erika Slaughter says
Is there a way to knock on wood for you as I read this?? hahaha! HOPEFULLY it won’t be needed! Fingers crossed!
Kristi says
All great tips! Hydration is my number one concern. The flip side can make a vacation not fun at all. And I don’t mind people needing to get up and use the bathroom, I mentally think “Good Job on being hydrated!”
Debra Lowe says
This post could not have come at a better time for us – we are leaving for Italy in 10 days and your tops will help us have the best chance to stay healthy. I also clicked on the Capri link because that is one of the places we will visit – hopefully it won’t be as busy this time of year! Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope you have the BEST time! Italy in October is perfection!!
Ginger says
Kind of off topic but since you mentioned your walking pad, do you still like it? I know you did a review quite some time ago but I was just wondering if you’d still recommend the same pad and how it’s held up? Thanks for the info.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love it! I use it almost every single day. Other people in my family use it often too. It’s held up well, I truly cannot say enough nice things about it. I love it!