Have you ever heard the expression, I need a vacation from my vacation? Perhaps you’ve said it yourself – I know I have! Road trips are a great way for families to get away in the summertime, but after a week or two of being constantly on the go, you can begin to feel run down, and sometimes, sickness follows. We usually blame it on the germs in new surroundings — and this can be true — but many times it has more to do with how we take care of ourselves while on the road.
Here are five tips for staying healthy on summer road trips:
1. Stay Hydrated – Drinking water, at least 64oz a day, is one of the best ways to stay healthy while traveling. Unfortunately, this simple task is one of the most neglected. We are usually so focused on getting to our destination that stopping for bathroom breaks becomes a nuisance. This situation can be remedied by packing enough bottled water for everyone in the car, and scheduling bathroom stops every few hours. If you know you’re going to stop in advance, you’re more likely to drink more water.
2. Eat Well – Road trips are usually synonymous with portable junk food items like beef jerky, pork rinds, potato chips and cookies. While these treats are part of the fun of road trips, they do nothing for us nutritionally. Instead, pack a cooler with healthy snacks, such as fruit, veggie sticks, nuts and granola bars — the energy in these choices will sustain your body longer and provide healthy nutrients between meals. It’s also more economical to pack these snacks in advance, versus buying junk on the road.
3. Stop to Rest – Staying on a sleep schedule is important for both adults and children when it comes to staying healthy. Set designated driving hours in advance, when you are normally awake, and if possible switch drivers at least every four hours. Stop to eat when you normally eat, and if driving more than ten hours in a day, book an overnight stop in advance, especially when traveling through large cities– For example, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Boston hotels can be expensive to book at the last minute.  Driving while tired is not only bad for your body, it puts your family and others at risk because it slows down your reflexes, which could lead to an accident.
4. Get out and Play – Being cramped in a car for hours at a time isn’t fun for anyone. Children are the first to get restless, so it’s important to map out stops with playgrounds and interesting landmarks to let them burn off some of that pent-up energy. Staying active while on the road is just as important for drivers and it is small passengers: exercising increases heart rate allowing you to stay both healthy and alert while on the road.
5. Avoid Germs – Let’s face it, rest stops are dirty. The cardinal rule to avoid getting sick is to was hands frequently — this is especially important when traveling and stopping in public areas with spotty cleaning schedules. Always stock the car with your own toilet paper, antibacterial hand soap, wipes and paper towels just in case the rest area isn’t properly stocked. Wash hands thoroughly at every stop, and don’t be afraid to wipe down questionable surfaces with hand wipes. You can’t be too careful when it comes to germs!
By keeping the mantra –“It’s about the  journey, not the destination” — you can learn to slow down and enjoy your time on the road while keeping your family healthy in the process.
This is a compensated post on behalf of Purolater Car Filters, all opinions are my own.
