Note: this piece first appeared in the June 2007 issue of Clark Wellness ForkBytes.
Welcome to June! With the hot weather, sun, and humidity that arrive this month, you may notice your thoughts turning towards vacation. For many of us, this means driving long distances — spending hours and hours in a small car. To help those of you who will be hitting the road this summer, I’ve shared my top tips for healthy car travel below.
Tips for Healthy Car Travel
1. Stay hydrated. All travel tends to be dehydrating, and this is doubly true in hot weather. Bring a large bottle of water for your trip and sip frequently!
2. Bring snacks. Most of the food available on the road is far from health supportive. A little planning ahead of time will ensure you have nutritious, delicious, satisfying snacks for your trip. Fresh or dried fruit is a great choice; some whole-grain crackers, carrot and celery sticks, and a few healthy dips and spreads are all great additions to your mobile menu. And don’t forget to pack something sweet, too. Having a fresh, homemade sweet available will help you resist junk food temptations at gas stations and convenience stores.
3. Make your car a sanctuary. Rather than treating your car travel time as an annoying necessity between home and your destination, let your vacation begin the moment you sit down in the car. Be sure your car is clean and organized for the trip with easy access to your water and snacks (and a trash bag!), and have music or books on tape available for the journey.
4. Take frequent breaks. Stop at least once every two hours to get out of the car, stretch, and walk around. Many rest areas are now more like parks, with beautiful wooded areas and walking trails. Besides, you’ll need many bathroom breaks with all that water you’ll be drinking!
5. Relax and enjoy the ride. If possible, plan extra time for your trip so you can have the freedom to enjoy the scenery or take a detour if you feel inspired. A GPS navigator (or at least a good set of maps) is handy for this — if you know where you are, it’s easier to deviate from your initial path and then get back on track. If you happen to pass the world’s largest ball of twine, don’t you want to be able to get out of the car and see it?
Have a great trip!
