First, I am not a doctor. I just play one when my kids are sick. (And not very well, according to them – but that’s for another post.) So, take any of this advice with a grain of salt.
Okay. With a few grains of salt, because my husband and close family members are in the health care industry and I’ve been to Disney World in and under all kinds of weather. And since it’s still early April, we’re not out of flu season yet. (Ugh!)
If you’re like me, the anticipation of arriving at such a magical place can wreck havoc on your regular routine. When your routine is wrecked, your immune system can follow. Or, if you’re like my husband, with all the food choices that are not typically available to you at home, you become a kid in a candy store.
Something has to give if you’re going to stay healthy so you can enjoy your vacation. It just takes a little pre-planning, a little awareness and a little self-control.
1. Get plenty of rest BEFORE you go. My typical MO is to arrive at Walt Disney World on the verge of a cold. I’m so excited before the trip and overwhelmed with all of the packing and planning that I get very little sleep. This last trip I made a concerted effort to rest. I began packing a week before we left. I made check-lists for everything; from to-do lists (stop mail, water plants, etc.), car preparation (oil changes, fill-up), and luggage down to the house sitter and prep that my kids were in charge of. It helped. A lot. Being so prepared helped me to sleep a little easier at night – that, and a pad and pencil by my bed for things I didn’t want to forget.
2. Pack your arsenal of vitamins, herbs and medications. And don’t forget the thermometer. Knowing that we had echinacea at the ready in case someone got a sore throat or Motrin for any aches and pains took a load off my mind. We don’t take vitamins on a daily basis but on vacation, we take them a little more than usual. Face it. You’re not eating the way you would at home and your little one probably isn’t getting the veggies she might normally. A balanced system is a healthy system.
3. Wash your hands every chance you get. Wash every time you use the restroom (of course), before you eat and every time you pass a sink with soap and water. Okay, that might be a bit extreme, but keeping your hands clean is one of the easiest ways to keep from spreading germs to you or anyone else.
4. If you can’t wash, hand sanitizer works, too. I put one in everyone’s travel goody bag before we go!
5. Yes, you will be walking many miles per day.Yes, it’s your vacation and you deserve a treat. But most of us don’t have such rich foods in our daily diet. Share a meal. Portion sizes tend to be large. Share a dessert. Stay hydrated with water – don’t drink your calories. And take a “Treat A Day” approach to your vacation. You won’t feel deprived and you’ll be pacing yourself with the inevitable extra calories. Your waistline will thank you!
6. I’m so old, I remember the days when soda was about the only beverage option at the parks. Now, healthier choices are everywhere! Bottled water is your friend! Staying hydrated has never been easier – or having a healthy snack. You can find a kiosk with fresh fruit on ice in every park. Better for you and refreshing!
7. Yes, there are super-rich or fried foods on every menu. But as we, as a culture, are moving toward healthier food choices, so is Disney. Try to pick fresh salads, sushi or whole grain and vegetable options. If you can’t share with someone, decide beforehand how much you’re going to eat and then leave the rest on your plate. Chances are you’ll be completely satisfied and you won’t feel deprived. Save the super-rich or fried temptations when absolutely nothing else will do!
8. Have yogurt for breakfast! Good for digestion and a healthy way to start your day.
9. Pack the Lysol and the Clorox wipes. I wipe down every surface I think mousekeeping might forget: TV remotes, light switches, and doorknobs. And for those with delicate constitutions please shield your eyes, but Lysol is a must with four of us (sometimes 5) sharing a bathroom. Plus, the fine mist helps clean the air, too, serving double duty!
And last, but not least……….
10. Get your rest! This is just as important while you’re on vacation as being well-rested before your vacation starts. If you have an early morning, don’t make it a late night on the night before. And vise versa. Don’t stay out late if you’ve been up since dawn. Bring a sleep machine. Take a relaxing shower or bath before bed. Don’t eat too close to bedtime. Do everything you can to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Stay healthy and have a magical time!
