Staying healthy on the road

Why is it that healthy habits seems to fly out the window as soon as we leave on a business trip? And getting back into the healthy swing of things isn’t always easy you’ve fallen off the wagon. Try these tips for maintaining a healthy regime on the road.

Healthy Snacks: Who hasn’t grabbed a quick calorie-laden snack right after getting off a plane or in between appointments? To keep your energy up, throw a couple of protein bars or a bag of trail mix in your briefcase. Both contain healthy fats and filling protein.You don’t want to get to your destination only thinking about what you can put in your mouth instead of concentrating to the business at hand.

Healthy restaurants: To find healthy restaurant choices near your business destination, ask the concierge or go online to Healthydiningfinder.com. Enter in your destination, and the website gives you a list of restaurants with healthy food in your area, plus the nutrition information on their most popular meals.

Staying hydrated: Drink lots of bottled water. Once you’re past the security line at the airport, get some water, and get another bottle right away when you land. If you’re traveling by car, keep several bottles in the car and in your room. Keeping the caffeinated and alcoholic drinks to a minimum helps you stay hydrated and sleep better.

Exercise: Most major hotel chains have gyms available. If you want to exercise in the privacy of your own room, there are plenty of options.

Online videos: Use your laptop to watch instructors leading yoga, Pilates, aerobics and other classes. Check out sites such as MyYogaOnline.com and demandfitness.com. Both are paid-subscription services, but the value of keeping in shape and de-stressing could be well worth the cost.

Bring your own: Have a favorite exercise DVD? Stick in your suitcase and put it in your in-room DVD player or laptop first thing in the morning.

Do your legwork: Prefer to get your exercise outdoors, but don’t know what route to take? Check out MapMyRun.com. Simply enter in your address and Mapmyrun.com provides a variety of exercise options complete with route, distance and sights to see on the way, complete with a map of your route. You can pick different routes depending on whether you want to walk, bike, run, hike or more.

Staying Healthy on the Outside

Sun protection: You never know when you might be caught in prolonged sun exposure. The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause lasting damage to your skin, not only accelerating the aging of your skin, but can attribute to skin cancer, and skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Your best bet is to keep a bottle of sunscreen in your suitcase sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection. If you’re traveling light and only taking a carry on, buy a small bottle (less than 3 oz) and apply before you land. That way you’re prepared no matter what the weather is. For more helpful information go to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention website at cdc.gov/cancer/skin.

Aches and Pains: Traveling can wreak havoc on your back, neck, shoulders—just about everything. Check out Healthyback.com and travelproducts.com for all sorts of helpful gadgets. From ergonomically correct luggage to neck support pillows, these little things could mean the difference between comfort and pain. Google stretching exercises on your laptop while you’re waiting for your plane or in your hotel room. You can stretching almost anywhere, anytime, and get immediate relief.