A road trip is something that you associate with excitement and having a good time. The last thing you want to think about is how you may get injured or sick. However, with just a few simple precautions you can make sure that you and all your passengers stay fit and healthy for your entire journey. Here are the essentials for keeping healthy on your long journey, whether traveling by RV, car, or another type of vehicle.
Keep hydrated
It can be easy to forget to drink when you are traveling. Some people even cut down on fluids because they don’t want to have to stop to go to the toilet.
This is not a good idea. It is essential that you remain hydrated so that you can be alert which is obviously essential if you are the driver. However, it is also true that becoming dehydrated can make you irritable and that is not great if you are one of the passengers either! A long road trip can be a stressful experience so you need your wits about you.
Keep some small bottles of water or juice in the car and top up every time you stop for a break. When you stop for a break you can have a coffee to keep you awake but remember that the driver should always pull over and have a rest if they feel tired.
Banish the smoke
If you smoke inside a closed space like a motor vehicle, the levels of cigarette pollutants can build up to unhealthy concentrations. This can make your eyes water, make your throat sore and increase the risk of long-term health conditions.
For the sake of your own health and the health of your passengers, it would be best to leave the cigarettes at home. This does not mean that you have to turn the journey into an unpleasant ordeal or make very frequent stops for a cigarette. Check out options online for a healthier alternative.
Move around
Obviously, you can’t take part in an aerobics session inside a car but you can take care of your body’s movement and posture. There are clear dangers associated with sitting in the same position for too long including trapped nerves and even deep vein thrombosis, which has very serious implications. The answer is to take frequent breaks. Stop the car in a safe place, get out and walk around. Do some simple stretches and get some fresh air.
As a passenger in a car, you can move your neck gently from side to side to ease tension and stiff muscles. You can also circle your wrists and ankles to aid circulation to your hands and feet.
Prepare a first aid kit
It makes sense to take a simple first aid kit with you on a long journey. Keep it in the glove compartment where you can get at it easily. All you need is some sterile wipes, some simple dressings, and some antiseptic. It may also be useful to have some painkillers. Remember if you are traveling with children, you need medication that is suitable for their age group.
Great tips! It’s hard to stay healthy on the road- thanks
Bring on the healthy living! :)
Christy you’re blowing me away with your helpful posts! You need to put them all in a book my dear! This was excellent. And don’t forget to keep some wet wipes in the glove compartment. :) xoxo
Excellent tips for the vehicle traveler, Christy. As a person who has had DVT, I can assure you it’s important to strecth, walk or just move often. Even if you haven’t had an issue with DVT compression stockings are a good way to keep the circulation in your legs. They can be removed easily. They now come in fun colors including neon.
Isadora 😎
Hi Isadora :) You’re so sweet to stop by. Great point about compression stockings! I have a friend who has bright green ones ;)
😎
Great and essential tips Christy. You have an amazing blog.
Excellent advice. Thanks, Christy.
Hi my friend :) Hope you’re having a nice day
Thank you for the essential tips!!
Your encouraging comments are so nice xx
Most welcome 😊
The first aid kit is a great recommendation, Christy. I recently saw a small one on an Amazon deal and got it for my glove compartment. It’s a good idea for every day, not just road trips.
Have a thriving Thursday, my friend.
Excellent idea to have it in the car daily, just in case, Teagan! Happy Thurs, dear friend xx
Excellent helpful tips that people should seriously consider following. Seems so simple, yet can truly make a HUGE difference!
Sometimes it’s the simplest things, right?!
Absolutely! :-)
Ah the joys , the joys of roadtrips. I do hope you will do a road trips with kids one……xxx
I hope to go on a road trip again one day.. Too bad you’re not close enough to get to xx
Would be brill. Loves me a good road trip. Furthest we go now is down to York every so often. the Mr does not like long journeys. We do that one in shifts. xxx
It’s good you have a plan that works, including taking breaks.. That way everyone is comfortable. Wishing you and family a lovely weekend :)
Aw thank you. Hope yours is good with your loved ones xxx
Thanks hun! I’ll see family and also hope to work on my book (yes, I know, I’m getting there!)
OOOH!!!! That just all takes time but you WILL get there x
Thanks sweetie xxoo
Great idea for a post, Christy. You’re right that “remaining healthy is last thing you want to think about” on a road trip — and so we usually don’t! Good reminder – and excellent advice.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
I wish you well if you travel this summer, Madelyn. Road trips are fun, can be inexpensive, and it’s great to just go wherever the heart pleases :)
And I can easily take my puppy! That’s the best part.
xx,
mgh
Awwww :) Do you have any posts that include your puppy in them. Dogs can relieve stress ((Hugs))
YEP! Tink GuestBlogs from his point of view from time to time. His last one talked about our R&R visit to a cabin [TinkerToy’s Trip to the Woods] – with photos. You can still find it if you scroll down our sidebar right now, tho’ it will eventually “age off.”
Most of his posts can always be found under the Guest Post dropdown (center of bottom menubar at the top of every page). Links to others are within them.
Tink says, “Thanks for asking!” (he thinks the articles I write are boring – lol).
xx,
mgh
OK, I’m going to read a bit about Tink’s adventures then in the post you suggested :) So cute you make him a guest poster ~ And NOPE sorry Tink but Madelyn’s posts aren’t boring at all <3
You two-legses always stick together – but we 4-legs know you really don’t mean it.
Woof! TINK
Love a good road trip! Good music is essential too :)
Totally with you on the tunes :) How about some Bon Jovi? :)
There isn’t much I don’t like, he is definitely easy to sing along with!! 😉
Living on a Prayer will be on the playlist then :) Have a great weekend, Tanya!
Thanks Christy, same to you! 💁🏼xo
You = awesome! :)
great tips – thank you!
— Wishing you good health :)
Some very useful tips, Christy. We will be travelling soon, I am so excited.
That IS exciting! I hope it’s a great adventure :)
We always stop every two hours whether we need to or not! Everything you posted was great advice!
Breaks are good – stretch the legs and refresh :)
And a good playlist!! It will keep you and the time moving!
You got that right!! What songs would be on it? I said to Tanya that we would need some Bon Jovi.
Eminem Lose Yourself. I get so focused when that song comes on when I’m working out.
That would make one heck of a good workout song! Do you have a post on good workout tunes? :)
This post is a treadmill workout with a playlist.
https://thefitfrequentflyer.com/2017/02/26/your-next-treadmill-workout-with-playlist/
Maybe we should collaborate!
Hi Christy… Great advice as I prepare for a long sojourn over the big rocks. The fire hazards BC are having now are starting to make planning a little difficult. I do have a very good first aid kit, an emergency rations kit and of course lots of water, coffee and of course Mars Bars… “Never leave home without Mars Bars.”
Hugs and all
Haha always have those Mars bars on hand :) Safe travels to you, Rolly!