Wyndham Wisdom

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Health & Fitness Submitted by fellow travelers/readers

Quick Links: Healthy Travel | Exercise | Preparation | Sleeping

Healthy Travel

  • Commit yourself to the same exercise and diet routine you have at home in order to bounce back quicker from exhausting trips.
  • For longer flights, get up every hour and walk around to re-energize your body and mind.
  • If your ankles tend to swell when you fly, do foot exercises several times during the flight to keep the circulation flowing and reduce swelling.
  • To avoid travel weight gain, drink eight glasses of water every day. Order salad dressing on the side and dip greens into dressing - you'll use much less this way.
  • Avoid alcohol and salty food in order to arrive in good shape and minimize jet lag.
  • When booking a flight, order from the "special dietary" menu. Many airlines offer a broad selection, including total vegetarian, gluten free, lacto-ovo, low cholesterol and salt-free choices.
  • Power and energy snack bars and water are great when traveling on short commuter flights where there is NO inflight.
  • Consider hotels with a fitness center, pool and jacuzzi for relaxation. Then allow yourself one night of luxury with room service, bubble bath, candles and champagne.
  • Approach all travel with a positive, inquisitive attitude. Regardless of one's mastery of the mechanics of business travel, the key factor of successful business travel is to approach every trip with a sense of curiosity and willingness to be delighted by new locations.
  • To maintain productivity and enthusiasm, avoid focusing exclusively on business. Indulge in an enjoyable activity at least once on every trip. Even the tightest schedules allow time to be good to yourself.

Exercise

  • Don't forget to pack your exercise clothes and shoes as exercise is the perfect way to relax and feel better.
  • Many hotel rooms come equipped with DVD players, so bring a favorite exercise tape and maintain your usual exercise routine. You can also download workout onto your iPod for an instant travel workout.
  • When traveling to a new city, visit the best health club in town and take a class that you've never tried before. You don't have to worry about looking foolish because no one knows you!
  • A piece of 3/4-inch surgical tubing or exercise bands can easily be used as a portable gym. Wrap it around your feet with the ends in your hands and it becomes a rowing machine. Loop it over the shower bar and it becomes a pull-down for upper body exercises.
  • On flights, move to the back of the plane and do stretches for arms, legs, lower back, thighs and neck. Try bending forward reaching for your toes, letting your head down to rejuvenate the eyes and face.
  • Find out where the nearest exercise facility is before arriving and whether it has guest charges or special arrangements with the hotel. Many gyms have classes and a schedule you can print out from the Web.
  • Join a gym that has national availability via a travel program, e.g., Curves or contract with hotels that have gym access.
  • If you are a jogger, check out the local track club for a running buddy who will know the best and safest places to go.
  • Plan around travel for health and weight maintenance. Just before and just after a trip, cut back on calorie consumption by about 500 calories/day to allow for the hidden ingredients in restaurant foods.
  • Be courageous about ordering in a restaurant. Have "on the side" any item you want control over e.g., salad dressing. Recall Sally in the movie "When Harry met Sally" - she said "I want it the way I want it" and drove Harry crazy with the way she ordered. This is a fun example of "take care of yourself first" when ordering in a restaurant.

Preparation

  • Always pack a healthy snack in your carry-on baggage to help soothe hunger pains during delayed flights or on flights offering only a beverage service. Also carry bottled water with a twist cap and drink at least eight ounces for each hour of flight time to help prevent dehydration.
  • Just a little planning can go a long way to ensure you won't get caught without the necessities. Carry low-fat fruit bars, Ziploc bags, a pocket dictionary and a first-aid kit.
  • In your carry-on, bring a semi-frozen bottle of water to keep you hydrated.

Sleeping

  • Before going to bed open the heavy window shades so that sunlight will shine in the room in the morning. Hotel window shades are designed to block out the light. It's much easier to wake up and be alert when natural light greets you through the window.
  • Try to get a good meal the last day of the trip so you don't arrive at home tired and hungry.
  • Get a good night's sleep and avoid caffeine after 5 p.m. A peaceful night's rest gives you energy to tackle even the most hectic schedule.
  • Keep a satin eyeshade and soft earplugs and to guarantee sound sleep on a long flight or in your hotel room.
  • Add a few drops of essential oil on your travel pillow and use it on your eyes to rest during the flight.