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9 Ways to Boost Your Immune System While Traveling

As a travel healthcare professional, you are constantly on the go. While there are many benefits to traveling such as exploring new cities and meeting new people, the job can be stressful. Being busy and stressed may cause your health and immunity to take a hit. Fortunately, there are several ways to boost your immune system and stay in good health during your travels. Read on to learn more about them.

1 – Healthy Diet

An important way to build a strong immune system is to eat healthy foods. As much as we all would like a slice of cake or a bag of chips after a long shift, try switching those comfort foods with immune-boosting foods. These foods include fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Maintaining a healthy diet is key to keeping yourself healthy and energized.

2 – Exercise Regularly

There is more to exercising than just building muscles or relieving stress. Spending as little as 30 minutes a day can help improve your immune system immensely. One way exercising helps boost immunity is by improving your overall circulation, which makes it easier for your immune cells to travel easier through your body to fight off infections.

3 – Get Plenty of Sleep

While this may be difficult as a traveler, it is recommended to get at least 7-10 hours of rest each night. While you’re sleeping important processes happen to your body to help maintain and repair it. For example, your body creates infection-fighting molecules during sleep. Studies have shown those that do not get enough sleep are more prone to infection after being exposed to viruses.

4 – Vitamins / Supplements

Along with maintaining a healthy diet, vitamins are also important for boosting your immune system. Whether you get those vitamins through foods or through a multivitamin supplement, make sure to keep them apart of your daily routine. If taking a multivitamin, make sure it includes Vitamin C, B6, and E as those are key to your immune system.

5 – Minimize Stress

Stress plays a big role when it comes to your health. Too much stress will cause your body to respond by releasing a stress response. While this is meant to help your body handle stress, this also causes a decrease in your immune system. Having a healthy diet, exercise, and rest are some of the ways to relieve stress. Other ways to de-stress include taking on a new hobby, reading, going outside, or spending time with family and friends.

6 – Stay Connected

As mentioned above, spending time with family and friends is a great way to de-stress and improve your immune system. Whether it be in person or virtual, social interactions help boost and keep our immune system active. There are lots of ways to stay connected to your close ones while traveling.

7 – Get Fresh Air

We all know the great outdoors offer many benefits to our health such as exercise and Vitamin D. Spending time outdoors is a great way for your body to get Vitamin D that not only helps keep your bones strong, but also helps reduce virus and bacteria spread. Enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise by going for a walk, hiking nearby trails, or riding your bike around town.

8 – Drink More

Water As we have heard a thousand times from our doctors, hydrate! Water is very important to your overall health and keeping your immune system at its top performance. Being well hydrated means blood is oxygenated, toxins are flushed, and vital organs and muscles will be in tip-top shape. If you are not much of a water drinker, look into a hydration tracking water bottle to make sure you drink enough each day.

9 – Take Care of Your Body

Lastly, take care of your body. Whether it be going to your doctor for a yearly checkup or visiting the chiropractor to help relieve tension in your back. Do not forget to schedule these appointments before leaving for your assignment. Most doctors offer virtual appointments as well to help keep you in good health while on the road. Maintaining and taking care of your body not only helps keep your immune system strong but keeps you in good health to do your job and take care of your patients. Interested in a company that cares about YOU? Click here to learn more about us today!