7 Essentials to Stay Healthy On the Road This Summer

Going on a summer trip is always exciting, but there are a lot of different things that can make it a stressful experience as well. Between planning, packing, and the process of actually arriving at your destination, there’s a lot to remember. One thing that sometimes gets forgotten is how to remain healthy while you’re traveling.

Even if you’re a generally healthy person, there are things that can go wrong on a trip, like sunburn or stomach issues. But there are several essential items that you can pack to ensure you’re set for any problem that could arise.

To help make packing a bit easier, here are seven essentials to bring on your summer vacation, in order to stay healthy on the road. And for even more healthy road trip assistance, be sure to check out the Recipe Road Trip Cookbook — filled with regional favorite recipes and travel essentials to keep your belly happy and healthy this summer season!

1. Watermelon

It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re traveling. Whether you’re out having fun and forget to drink some water, or you’re avoiding it so you don’t have to go out searching for a bathroom later, it’s a common problem that happens to many travelers. One way to avoid that is by snacking on foods that have a large volume of water already in them, like watermelon, which is 92% water, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Although watermelon is great for helping with hydration, it can be easy to overdo it and end up with stomach pains, so it’s important to eat it in moderation.

“Because it’s filled with a high percentage of water, it can easily cause people with sensitive bellies to either feel bloated from the quick influx of water or can make people feel gassy too,” says registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, the author of “The Better Period Food Solution.”

2. Homeopathic medicines for stomach upsets

One unfortunate side effect of traveling is an upset stomach. Many people encounter some sort of stomach upset while traveling, which can be caused by new foods, being in a different time zone, or just being slightly out of your meal routine. In that case, it’s important to bring along homeopathic medicines like Boiron’s Acidil, Gasalia, and Diaralia, which can help combat stomach issues like acid indigestion, gas & bloating, diarrhea, and traveler’s diarrhea.*

3. Refillable water bottle

Traveling offers people the opportunity to see and try new things, and while all that adventuring can be great, one regular habit sometimes gets forgotten about: drinking water. That results in many travelers being dehydrated during their trip, especially during summer vacation when you’re sweating more because of the warmer weather. One thing that can help you to stay more hydrated is having fruits and veggies with a high water content on hand, like watermelon or cucumbers. Or, you can bring a refillable water bottle along on your trip as a constant reminder to drink more.

Not only does having your own water bottle help remind you to stay hydrated, but drinking a sufficient amount of water might also help you to consume less sugary beverages or alcohol.

“Drinking enough fluids is important for flushing out toxins and keeping your digestive system moving and your energy and alertness up,” says registered dietitian Sara Chatfield, a nutrition specialist at Health Canal. “It can also help you avoid the temptation of sugary beverages.”

4. Burn ointment

Especially if you’re on a camping trip, there are plenty of opportunities to get burned while on the road. Whether it’s a sunburn or a burn from cooking on an open fire, take care of your skin by bringing along Boiron’s Calendula Ointment.

The ointment features the calendula flower as the active ingredient to help to heal minor burns, like a sunburn.* The base of the ointment is made from petroleum jelly, providing soothing protection and moisturization.*

5. Jet lag relief medication

One of the most frustrating parts of traveling is jet lag. If you’re hitting the road to go somewhere that’s a few time zones away, jet lag can disrupt your whole trip. You’re either staying up too late, or waking up too early, either way, it could be difficult to enjoy your trip when you’re tired throughout the day.

Conveniently, there are options to combat jet lag, like Boiron’s Jet Lag Relief Kit. Tiredness isn’t the only side effect of jet lag, it can also confuse your body’s natural rhythms and cause nausea or body aches, making relief an important essential to enjoy your time away from home.

“Shifting time zones can disrupt your body’s natural rhythms, including digestion, leading to symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, or indigestion,” Sabat says.

6. Running shoes

There are so many exciting things to do when you’re on a trip that it’s easy to miss out on daily habits, like exercising. Packing along a pair of running shoes will help to remind your brain to include exercise in your daily plans as a good way to stay in shape.

Working out isn’t just for staying in shape, though. Regular exercise helps to improve your mood, as well as brain health, and it strengthens muscles and bones.

If you’re taking a flight, bringing a pair of running shoes will help cut down on your packing list, while still ensuring that you have an opportunity to be active. You don’t need to use running shoes solely for running either. They’re great to use on a hike, or for a long walk while on your trip. If you’re taking a road trip this summer, consider bringing any other workout equipment that can fit in the car, like some weights or a yoga mat.

7. Motion sickness pills

If you’re traveling somewhere this summer, you’re going to be in motion. No matter if you’re on an airplane, taking a road trip in a car, or even boating somewhere new, it takes motion to be able to travel to different locations. That’s unfortunate for people who have motion sickness, leading them to feel nauseous when they travel in a car, plane, boat, or any other means of transportation.

Thankfully, there are motion sickness pills, like Boiron’s non-drowsy MotionCalm Meltaway Tablets, which can help relieve travel sickness symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.* The convenient, melt-in-your-mouth tablets can be taken on the go, as they don’t even require water.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.