DISCLAIMER: The following post outlines the writer’s personal experience with staying healthy while traveling. It is not intended to act as medical advice. As always, please consult your doctor with any questions about staying healthy while traveling.
The last few years have created quite an itch to travel. Whether you are driving or flying, there are a few things that can make the trip a little easier. It can be stressful to remember all the things. As a Mom, there’s the added fear of sickness. Whether coming, staying, or going, there are so many factors that can quickly bring the fun to a halt.
We all want our family to stay healthy while traveling. In this post we will discuss simple and easy ways to stay above the wellness line while traveling. The nice thing about the tips we will discuss is that they are beneficial for all forms of travel. They are also good practices in general.
Practice Good Hygiene
Children are more susceptible to illness. Their little bodies and immune systems are more sensitive to exposure. Also, most of our little ones are not getting enough of the basic nutrition they need. Not to mention, most children are not good at keeping things out of their mouths. Put all these factors together for a pretty scary situation.
There are a few things that can help. Wash hands thoroughly with your little ones. Use a safe hand soap that helps kill bad bacteria without disrupting the good bacteria. Carry an effective hand sanitizer. Finally, be sure to consistently wipe down surfaces. This can especially be important when traveling on a plane or using public bathrooms.
Also, check your labels, as not all products are created equal. My highest recommendation is plant-based products with proven effects. These generally are safer for children. And, be careful of any products that have warning labels.
Boost the Immune System
The best way of action is preventative measures. Traveling is not a reason to slow down on good habits. In fact, it is a time to increase them. A strong immune system can equip the family with extra tools in the arsenal. Let’s chat about three things that can build a strong immune system while traveling.
The first is hydration. Hydration is key. Water has a unique way of releasing toxins in the body. This can be easily overlooked on road trips. There can be nothing more frustrating than unnecessarily stopping. My recommendation is to add breaks to the itinerary. If the family is flying, hydration is even more important because flights can be extremely dehydrating. Grab reusable water bottles for all in the family (bring them empty and fill them once cleared through security). An extra tip that might be useful is to add electrolyte drops and ingestible essential oils to the water. This will increase absorption of the water and hydration.
Food and supplements are another important part to maintaining a healthy immune system. This will take planning and strategy. Shoot for easy and healthy snacks that can easily be packed. Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Supplementation can help fill in the nutrition gaps. It is always best to get as much nutrition from food as you can, but many times with children, it is just not possible.
Because most supplements on the market are synthetic, it is crucial to research high quality supplements safe for little ones. Stick to supplements that are whole food. If you find whole food supplements with essential oils, it has been shown to increase the absorption of the nutrients.
Finally, focus on sleep. This can be tricky with long road trips or extensive layovers. An added obstacle can be time zone changes. Try to schedule buffer time so all can adjust to these factors. Stay as closely as possible to a good sleep routine. Bring stuffed animals, blankets, and pillows that bring familiarity during the traveling experience. During sleep, the body repairs itself. With all the excitement, don’t skip out on sleep.
Ease Motion Sickness
Motion sickness in kids can be hard to identify at first. Many little ones may struggle to gauge the feeling of motion sickness. This can be unsettling for parents. A few signs to look for would be upset stomach, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and a headache.
You can look for natural solutions to support your little ones, and resort to medicine if nothing else has worked. Natural remedies suggest to the body to operate the way it is supposed to. It works alongside the equilibrium without masking the cause. Medicine tends to mask or override the body’s natural response. Overtime relying solely on medicine can cause the natural responses of the body to stop operating properly.
How to ease motion sickness:
- Do not read while driving.
- Minimize screen time.
- Focus on distant, fixed points like the horizon.
- Close your eyes and listen to music or books.
- Take naps.
- Take breaks for fresh air.
Natural treatments for motion sickness:
- Ginger treats: these can come in gum or candy forms. Stick to natural forms of ginger.
- Essential oils: there are blends and singles including tarragon, juniper, anise, ginger, peppermint, lemongrass, and patchouli that have been used for centuries to support the digestive system.
- Sea Bands for children: acupressure can be another great way to support children while traveling.
The key to successful traveling is to plan ahead. Although it is not possible to predict all the things that could happen, it is possible to alleviate most of the stress. As you plan your next road trip, plane ride, or staycation, save these tips. It is my hope that you and your family will enjoy a safe and healthy vacation.
