October 1, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 17 Travel and stay healthy at the same time Healthy habits are often put aside when people travel. Whether traveling for profes- sional or personal reasons, even the most ardent proponents of healthy lifestyles may find themselves making less than healthy choices when they are away from home. Though part of the joy of travel is expe- riencing other cultures and cuisines, such experiences should not come at the expense of one’s overall health. Fortunately, there are many ways men and women can travel and still protect their personal health. Be sure to get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to consequences that are not good for overall health. While it might be fun to burn the candle at both ends on a business trip or vacation, such an approach will almost certainly weaken the immune system and leave one susceptible to a host of ailments. Business travelers should keep in mind that studies have shown that lack of sleep impairs alertness, concentration, and reasoning, which can make it hard to make a good impression on professional colleagues. Lack of sleep also makes it dif- ficult to maintain adequate energy levels, making it difficult for vacationers to make the most of their time away from the office. Travelers should try to get as much sleep as they would if they were home. Adults typi- cally need between seven and eight hours of sleep per night to operate at full capacity, and that rule should not be forgotten while one is away from home. Book a room with a kitchen. Business travelers may find it difficult to enjoy healthy meals on the road. In lieu of dining out each night, travelers can book a room with a kitchen so they can prepare their own meals, giving them more control over what they are putting in their bodies. Without a kitchen, travelers are at the mercy of res- taurants near the hotel, which may or many not have readily accessible and healthy res- taurants nearby. Continue to exercise. Whether travel- ing on vacation or for business, be sure to continue to exercise. When booking a hotel, look for one with exercise facilities for guests. Business travelers who have had a room booked for them might have to improvise if the hotel has inadequate exer- cise facilities or no facilities at all. Pack some jogging outfits and bathing suits and squeeze in a run or swim some laps. Both exercises make for great workouts should the hotel lack exercise facilities. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Those who are on the road should not relax all of the rules regarding diet and exercise. Those whose current diet and exercise routines are producing great results should try to stay on track as much as possible while traveling. Many people struggle to find a success- ful balance of diet and exercise, and those who have found that balance should not be quick to abandon it just because they have left home. When vacationing, enjoy some dietary treats, but keep up good habits as well, being sure to eat that nightly help- ing of vegetables or morning fruit with breakfast. Such an approach will make it easier to stay on track after returning home. The same goes for business travelers who should not abandon healthy eating habits just because they are dining out or ordering room service. The more travelers can main- tain their healthy habits away from home, the more likely they are to embrace those habits when they leave the temptation of the road. Employ the buddy system. The buddy system, in which you and a friend, coworker, or family member resolve to exercise and/or diet together, can be just as effective when traveling as it is at home. Having someone there with you to sweat and make healthy dietary choices when out on the town can make it much easier to adhere to a healthy lifestyle when away from home.