Heath Tips for Winter Travel

It can be hard to stay healthy any time you travel. But in the winter-when sugary desserts beckon, flu germs threaten, and roads get slick-it may seem like the whole world is working against keeping you safe and healthy.
To enjoy the holidays, it's up to you to be at your best. Don't let the icy roads and sugar cookies win. The good news: it's not as hard as you might think. Here are some smart tips for staying healthy and safe during winter travel.

Staying Safe

Physical safety is essential to every aspect of health. If you are heading out on the road, be smart. Make sure your car is winterized, your tires are properly inflated, and you have packed an emergency kit with blankets, food, water, and a shovel. Check road and weather conditions before you leave, and follow your gut if you have any reservations about driving when the weather is bad.

Eating Well

Unlike travel safety, following your gut does not work so well when it comes to healthy eating on the road. Winter travel is a double threat to healthy eating: your options are limited when you're away from your kitchen, and holidays are full of comfort foods with less-than-comfortable after effects.

Plan ahead to bring healthy snacks as alternatives to fast food (if you're driving) and airport food (if you're flying) during your travel. For the holiday itself, it's okay to enjoy those sugary, buttery foods. But fill up on healthier options first so the 'bad' stuff serves as an accent or a treat, not a main course.

Staying In Shape

Routine is everything when it comes to staying in shape. Physical health during winter travel can be a challenge. Your whole routine and schedule change, you won't have access to your gym or fitness club, and often, it will be too cold to go running outside.

If you're staying in a hotel, you should have easy access to a small fitness room, or at the very least a pool. Just make sure you plan the time into your day and actually use those facilities, even if only for a half hour or so.

If you are staying with family and don't have exercise equipment, even some physical activity is better than nothing. Stretch in the morning when you awake. Do a few jumping jacks, push-ups, or other simple activities that don't require equipment. And even if it's cold, see if someone will join you for a crisp walk outside. You'll be getting your body out and moving, and you'll be spending quality time with the people you're there to see.