February often proves to be a challenging month for maintaining those ambitious New Year travel resolutions. As the calendar flips from January, many travellers find themselves tempted to abandon their wellness goals along with the festive season.
The Challenge of Travel Wellness
Tod Horton, global business leader of Healthwise, acknowledges the difficulty many face. "It can be difficult to stick to a 'better you' New Year's resolution," he states. Healthwise is the corporate wellness program designed to inspire and motivate Flight Centre Travel Group employees toward healthier, happier lives.
However, Horton emphasises that maintaining health while travelling doesn't need to be complicated. "Being healthy isn't hard, and even if they're short on time and seeking convenience, travellers can still maintain and improve their health. Something as simple as walking the length of the plane is worth doing," he explains. "When it comes to your wellbeing, every little step helps."
This advice holds particular significance for multinational customers who regularly traverse the globe, as well as for Flight Centre's extensive team operating across 95 countries worldwide.
Practical Strategies for Travellers
While it's widely recognised that travel can disrupt diet and exercise routines while exacerbating jetlag, the Flight Centre Healthwise team provides actionable guidance to counter these challenges.
Hydration Fundamentals
Rehydrating your body after festive celebrations before travelling is crucial. Aiming for eight glasses of water daily enhances mental clarity, aids digestion, improves skin health, and helps prevent headaches. While increased bathroom visits might occur, your body will appreciate the hydration upon arrival.
Pre-Flight Preparation
Perfecting your pre-airport routine the night before departure can significantly reduce travel stress. Prepare healthy flight snacks, organise a balanced breakfast like Bircher muesli or egg-white frittata, and ensure adequate sleep. Checking your airport route for potential roadworks adds another layer of preparedness.
Strategic Seat Selection
Choosing an aisle seat during booking allows for easier movement during flights. Remaining immobile for extended periods forces your body to work harder circulating blood from legs to heart. Regular stretching and walking in aisles (when safe) promotes better circulation.
Beverage Choices Matter
While caffeine and alcohol might seem tempting for early starts or post-flight relaxation, their diuretic properties combined with aircraft humidity increase dehydration risks. Opting for bottled water and considering electrolyte hydration tablets on long-haul flights supports better water absorption.
Balanced Nutrition Approach
Travelling often presents temptations like hotel breakfast buffets and restaurant meals. Foods containing processed sugars can cause energy spikes and crashes, making moderation essential. Following meals of lean protein, vegetables, and wholegrains with occasional treats like ice cream can satisfy cravings without derailing nutrition goals.
Maintaining Movement
There's no need to pause exercise routines while travelling. Post-check-in walks boost circulation before flights, while compact fitness items like resistance bands enable hotel room workouts. Simple exercises including squats, burpees, and bicycle crunches adapt well to limited spaces.
Sleep Optimisation
Utilising travel time for sleep adjustment to new time zones enhances arrival freshness and focus. Eye masks, earplugs, and avoiding screens before sleeping contribute to better rest quality.
Flight Centre encourages travellers to visit their website and local stores for comprehensive travel advice and booking assistance.
