Health & Wellness
Avoid the moving walkways seen in airports for much needed exercise
circulation moving and burn some calories by doing things the old-fashioned way : Walk from your gate to baggage claim .
EATING TO WARD OFF ILLNESS AND LETHARGY
Nutrition is 80 percent of the battle for optimal health . Eating well gives your immune system a boost to fight the germs of crowded public places . Here are a few simple steps to keep your immune system functional .
1PREFLIGHT NUTRITION Make sure to have a very nutrient-dense meal before you leave the house to head to the airport . As you probably realize , once you get to the airport , it ' s far too late to get a great meal . Need a quick and delicious solution ? Try a smoothie . Your pre-departure smoothie should contain at least two vegetables ( spinach , red cabbage and tomato are three excellent choices ), one fruit , a protein source ( whey , soy or pea protein are good picks ), a high-nutrient ,
Nutrition is 80 percent of the battle for optimal health .
low-calorie liquid such as non-sweetened coconut water , plus a large dollop of plain yogurt . You can add in bonus nutrition boosters like chia , flax , cocoa , or fresh nut butter if you ’ d like .
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SMART SNACKING Prepare a small meal to hold you over on your layover . Packing a healthy snack or pocket meal is an excellent habit and one that comes in handy especially during international travel . Ensure your snack can be packed into a zip bag without worry of it leaking onto your MacBook Pro : Something like a tuna or salmon sandwich with dark lettuce , chopped bell pepper and tomato on a whole grain or black charcoal bread is a great choice .
3DESPERATE DIET MEASURES What if you don ’ t find time to pack a meal or to down that super smoothie ? There ’ s still hope . While shops like 7-Eleven aren ’ t observably health-friendly , they can be useful in a pinch : An apple or banana plus a plain yogurt will do , and there are also single-serve plain milks . Many Thai 7-Elevens carry hardboiled eggs , too , which are convenient protein-packed snacks that can save the day when options are slim .
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HYDRATE FOR HEALTH When flying , we breathe air that is less humid than normal , but we tend not to drink much water : It ’ s believed that people on long-distance trips drink less than two cups of water for the duration of the flight . Coffee , tea and alcohol can cause additional dehydration . What this adds up to are headaches , lethargy , nausea , dry skin and dry mouths . In fact , dehydration is one of the most common reasons why travelers feel lethargic or as though they ’ re catching a cold or flu . So drink plenty a lot of water before going through security ( or face the ultra-expensive water prices at your gate .) Here ’ s a helpful hack : Add a small dash of salt to your water bottle to stay happily hydrated .
DID YOU KNOW ?
Movement is so vital , down to our cellular level and our DNA , that frequent physical activity can drastically reduce many of modern society ’ s chronic diseases .
HEALTHY TRAVEL RECAP
The next time you travel , remember these tips : Consume a nutrient-dense smoothie or meal before you leave home ; pack a healthy snack to take with you ; hunt for healthy options in convenience stores ; drink plenty of water ( add a dash of salt to your water bottle ); and move and stretch as much as you can both in-flight and at the airport .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ror Alexander is an international fitness , nutrition and lifestyle consultant and podcast host . He owns and operates thriveLIFE Studios and the thriveLIFE podcast , which are both dedicated to assisting busy people reach their goals effectively and efficiently through exercise , healthy eating and optimized mindsets . For more see www . roralexander . com .
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