Staying Awake!

My friend grabbed the camera and took this shot:  I look tired!    Okay, I'm playing it up for the camera a bit, but still, I think all this traveling is starting to catch up with me.

My energy level is pretty consistent and I thought I would share with you how I prevent getting sick and keep my energy levels up naturally when on the road.   With the summer (Memorial Day) vacation season soon upon us, I thought this would be helpful to all!

1.  Emergen-C Vitamin Packets!      I can speak enough about these fizzing vitamin packets!   They are loaded with B-12 (for energy) and Vitamin C (to prevent colds) and taste really great in a glass of water.  I just fill a glass with water from the tap (or order a glass of water at the restaurant with no ice) and stir in one packet.    I'll literally chug the whole thing all at once and feel re-energized and revitalized instantly.

2.  A cold compress.    I've been checking into hotel rooms around 2 or 3 AM lately.  One day, I checked in at 430AM and got my hotel room keys to only see someone else in workout gear just waking up.   I thought I was hallucinating.     But here's something you can do to de-compress after a lengthy trip: a cold compress.   Just fill up the ice bucket halfway with ice and the rest with cold water from the sink.  Take those little hand towels and soak them in the ice water.    Let it soak for a few minutes and then ring them out.   Roll it up and rest it on your eyes.   The coolness, the pressure...it all helps.    

3.  Schedule, schedule, schedule!    For business travel, we are all used to scheduling meetings, appointments and business dinners for colleagues.    But I like to schedule everything down to the last detail, including time to relax, rejuvenate and take time for yourself.    It's important to schedule things like "wake time" and "exercise block" so you can mentally know when something is happening and when.   When people complain they don't have time to, say, go for a jog...it's because it was never really figured out into the daily schedule.   Make time and you'll feel a million times better.   Plus, if you take the time to exercise a bit, maybe you can indulge in that slice of chocolate cake at dinner.

Plus, I do other "strange" things:   I order (3) appetizer green salads and ask them to put it into one giant bowl.      At the W Hotel, they have free lemon scented hand wipes in the gym, so I'll take an extra fee and use them on the plane or train to wipe "grimey" stuff off my hands.     And I always prefer to underpack than overpack and just wear something twice so I can lug around the lightest possible suitcase.   And If I have a rental car, I'll type in "WHOLE FOODS" into my GPS device and just pick-up healthy snacks, drinks and other goodies to eat instead of filling up on junk.

What are your tips for staying healthy on the road?   Would love to hear them.   

Comments

[Colleen]

Water, water, water! When traveling it's so easy to just not have it on you and get dehydrated. I always try to keep my Kleen Kanteen or Nalgene on me, and fill it wherever I can find water (i really try not to buy bottled water because it's unnecessary and wasteful)... if I'm nervous about the tap water in an airport or something, I try to find a food place with fountain soda -- those machines always have a water spout, so you can fill your water that way.

[Jules]

Great tips Danny! - and I use many of these myself (along with the water tip). Additionally, I try to walk as much as possible. If available, take the stairs in the airports and hotels. I find when Im traveling, because of the flight and all the meetings, you end up sitting more than usual..so this really seems to help me keep my energy up (along with the excercise I already have scheduled!).Nuts are always a staple snack for me too- I'm known for bringing them for the whole gang when I go to meetings now! Thanks as always- happy you are well!

[lucinda]

Thanks for the great tips Danny. My husband also swears by the vitamin C packets which I unfortunately can't take cause they bother my stomach. So I try to eat lots of fruits and drink water. I also try to keep to a familiar bedtime routine, light meditation and a bit of reading which helps me wind down in less familiar places.

[Sandy]

In a new city, ask the people who work in art galleries for the names of their favorite "sprouts restaurant," and in smaller towns, look for the local bookstore (non-chain) and ask. This has worked wonderfully for me from Santa Fe to Paris!

[theman]

Your look reminds me so much of Bobby Lee from Madtv.

[Laura]

I find that one of the hardest things about travel is drastic changes in time zones. Acclimating to a new place is so hard when you're 6 hours off, or more. Regardless of whether you're traveling for work or pleasure, you want to make the most of your trip. So, my recommendation is to request a few tabs of zolpidem from your doctor. When you get where you're going, take one the first night, and wake up refreshed and ready to go in your new time zone. Save another tab for when you get back home. Sleep is really important to your immune function, and quite frankly, you'll just pee out all the excess vitamin C you consume, so don't spend a lot of money on it. I also agree heartily with the copious intake of water. Especially on the plane where it is really dry. The more moist your mucous membranes are, the better they'll be as a barrier against infection. I like to use nasal spray for that reason also. The cheap, saline kind is fine. Happy travels, Danny and blog readers!

[Annie]

You look oh so tired. Great travel tips by the way!!! Get some sleep and stay healthy.

[Beth]

Thanks for all the wonderful tips. I think I'm going to start using some of those ideas even when I'm not traveling. :)

[seleta]

How about "how to stay healthy with 4 kids?" I try to eat lots of leafy greens, hit Fresh Market once a week for healthy foods, dodge sugar and breads, and take a B-12 IV from my homeopathic doctor once a month.

I also make an energy shake that is made from brown rice and pea protein versus whey protein, much better for the system It is a LIFE SAVER! Great for your travel schedule, just ask a bar tender to blend it in a fruit drink for you. Tastes creamy and is loaded with vitamins. My kids drink it and call it "ice cream". I blend it with organic Coconut juice, one banana and ice. Yum!!!

I find drinking lots of Evian keeps me charged. When I don't get enough water I feel wilted like a dying flower.

Thanks for sharing your tips too!

[tavia]

Do you know if Method if giving out any more Plastic Bag Rehab? Lots of thanks

[Sheila]

I can't say it enough -- lip balm! And another good hydrator; eye drops. I also love packing sample sized products (you know...the overpackaged freebies you get when you buy your favorite personal products) to do a nightly spa treatment, facial, aromatherapy, etc. Helps me feel better about all of the packaging knowing that they are perfect packables.