5 Must-Haves For Healthy Travel
Holiday season is here and for me that means a lot of traveling. I’m heading home to Tucson this week for Turkey Day and next month, a very exciting excursion — New Zealand for Christmas!
With frequent travel though comes many opportunities to let your health slide — especially during cold and flu season.
Public transportation brings the potential of catching bugs and the lack of time/motivation to eat right and exercise can also contribute to your likelihood of getting sick while on the road.
So when I travel, I make sure to always bring a few necessitates to keep my health and hygiene on track.
1. The Honest Co. Hand Sanitizer Spray
I was never much of germaphobe. I was actually on the opposite end of the spectrum — trying to add more seconds to the one second rule. Lately though, I’ve been a lot more concerned about cleanliness.
I’m currently taking Microbiology, which has raised my awareness about just how disgusting everything is that we touch. Now I’m religious about washing my hands — and when I’m on the go, I’m constantly using hand sanitizer.
When you’re traveling, you’re touching lots of nasty things that lots of other people have touched, so you have to be even more diligent about keeping clean.
This hand sanitizer from Jessica Alba’s Honest Co. smells so delicious, you’ll want to use it even when you’re not dirty.
2. Philips Sonicare PowerUp Toothbrush
Dental hygiene is of utmost importance. Not only does keeping your pearly whites clean help prevent disease, it also makes you look and smell better — essential for those situations with close-talking relatives.
When I travel, I used to use a normal toothbrush so that I wouldn’t have to bring my electric toothbrush and its charger with me.
Recently though, I found a solution so that I can have a superior, power brush without the hassle – Philips Sonicare PowerUp. It’s battery powered, so you get all the benefits of an electric brush, without having to carry a bulky charger around.
It has customizable, replaceable heads, a 2-minute timer and a year-long warranty. The toothbrush provides more strokes than a manual brush, which has been shown to prevent cavities and whiten teeth better.
From today until December 14th, you will automatically get $4 off the regularly priced $14.99 PowerUp Toothbrush at Usa.Philips.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Drugstore.com.
*They come with batteries.
Due to low humidity at high elevations, the air inside the cabin of airplanes is much less humid than air at normal elevations. This can make your nose and throat become very dry, and your lips chapped.
Your body’s ability to keep these systems moist is part of the Mucociliary Clearance System and it plays a major role in preventing disease transmission.
One study showed that people are up to 100 times more likely to catch a cold on a plane because of this problem.
I fight back by drinking extra water and keeping my lips moist (and shiny).
Being away from your gym or your favorite exercise class doesn’t mean you have to let your fitness routine slide.
Bringing an exercise band with you when you travel is a great way to keep up with your strength training. It’s light and easy to pack, making this suitcase essential a no-brainer.
Bring one home with you this holiday and then try my Super Sweaty 12-Minute Cardio Christmas Video >>
5. Homemade Trail Mix
Last but not least, fuel!
I always make my own healthy trail mix when I travel so I never end up having a hangry airport crisis. You know, when you’re so hungry that you either end up shoveling a Quarter Pounder or getting escorted off a plane for being a raging B.
My holiday mix includes dried unsweetened cranberries, coconut flakes, roasted almonds and vegan cacao chips.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday this week and all season!
*This post is sponsored by Philips Sonicare but all opinions are my own.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says:
Good tips! I really like the EOD lip balm and the Nut and Spice variety of Kind Bars. Safe travels. :-)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
Hi Whitney! First of all, saw the wedding pics from last night and you looked lovely. Second of all, I’m right there with you on all of these items. In fact, I’m traveling during both holidays and will have my resistance tube for workouts, some healthy snacks (granola bars and trail mix), my lip balm, sani etc. very similar to your list here,. I like to bring extra socks for plane rides and a pashmina to put over my face to nap as well. :) Happy Sunday!!
Lauren says:
I LOVE EOS lip balms. Also as a graduated chemistry major and now working in a healthcare setting, I’m ALWAYS using hand sanitizer/washing my hands. So many things out there, haha.
Angela says:
I hope you also learned about the hygiene hypothesis in your microbiology class – the idea that our culture of being too overly sanitary and germophobic might be contributing to the rise in autoimmune disease because our immune system is not being properly stimulated with or exposed to various agents ..
Whitney English says:
I did, and new interpretations are suggesting that personal and home hygiene (for instance using hand sanitizer) is not a valid concern for the rising levels of allergic diseases. This article helps explain it: http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/best-practice-review/hygiene-hypothesis-and-its-implications-home-hygiene-lifestyle-and-public-0
365hangers says:
We’re in love with the idea of making our own trail mix. So giving it a go this week!
Diane says:
Love your picks, especially the exercise band. I started doing the Les Mills class CX Worx at my gym recently and a few tracks use the band — and wow does it burn. It’s killer and so versatile. Definitely a holiday travel must for resistance training and stretching. You’re going to have a blast in New Zealand. Are you hitting up the north or south island?
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says:
I love the sonic toothbrush! I never travel with mine though I should
Julia says:
Awesome post Whitney! Love the list! What restaurant have you had the best granola? Remember to add it to your Besty List! http://www.thebesty.com/tolivedietinla
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things says:
Yum, your holiday mix looks fab…I will have to make this up and stash in my bag! I also never new about dryness in the air being the likely reason plane travel results in sickness…I will definitely be drinking up water and slathering on lip balm next holiday!
Thanks for sharing lovely :)
Bethann Wagner says:
Yessss to the snacks! I hate not having some munchies with me during travel/life. I am known to embarrass myself with bad behavior when I am hungry!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says:
New Zealand! Gah! I cannot wait to hear all about your trip! We just bought a few travel books to do the same thing next year over Christmas. I’m already so excited for that and it’s a year away- I can’t imagine how pumped you are! Have so much fun!
Whitney English says:
Are you guys going to New Zealand too? If so, I’ll give you the lowdown when I get back! xo
priyanka says:
Hey, thanks for sharing such an informative article with us!
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Elisa says:
Thanks for the wonderful list. Do not forget to also take a covid test before the trip, so that you will not have any surprises on the road. I often use the site https://personichealthcare.com/ for this.
Rebecca says:
I think a dentist should help in choosing a toothbrush, but people are afraid to go to him. I used to be afraid to go to the dentist too. Because I have always associated it with pain. But now it’s different for me. Here at Edinburgh Dental Practice I found a good specialist who is an excellent specialist. I recently whitened my teeth, it’s painless and doesn’t last long. I advise you too!
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Brianna says:
Hello, I have filed a claim to collect the return to which I am entitled. Transavia’s flight was delayed for more than three hours. Transavia acknowledged the claim and notified me that the reimbursement will be issued within the following 4 to 6 weeks. I’ve waited a long time and still haven’t received my return. I keep emailing them, but there has been no answer.
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