Tips for staying healthy while traveling for business
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Jet-setting business professionals should be proactive about their health when traveling. Many factors may be to blame when travelers fall under the weather, but a new study by BMJ has shown that even without exotic foods and airplane germs, changes in air pollution, elevation, humidity and temperature can throw the body out of equilibrium.
Although many travelers blame illness on foreign foods and dirty airplane cabins, "increased illness from travel is more likely to be due to the fact that the person is out of their normal environment," the BBC reports.
Business travelers can guard themselves against travel illnesses by practicing a few simple precautions. While flying, they should breathe deeply and stretch often. High altitudes can be challenging to the respiratory system.
"Just sitting and breathing in that environment is a challenge to the system," said Leslie Kaminoff, a New York yoga instructor, in a feature piece for WebMD. "People don't realize they're at 8,000 feet of pressure and breathing is more labored. In the cabin, there's less available oxygen in the air."
Travelers should try to stick to comfort foods and familiar beverages while on the road. Warm, non-carbonated beverages calm the digestive system, and eating familiar foods will help business travelers avoid foodborne illness and simple indigestion.
Most importantly, travelers should stay hydrated and get decent amounts of sleep. By staying at a corporate suite or serviced apartment, business travelers can unwind and relax.