Why Is It So Important to Stay Active While Traveling?

Have you ever wondered why it is so critical to stay active while you’re traveling? Even if it’s a quick trip with family, or the dreaded 1 to 2-week trip for business, staying active helps combat some of the negative impacts that travel has on your body.

Scott Cohen, a deputy director of research in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey, published the paper, “A Darker Side of Hypermobility.” In it, he refers to frequent travelers as the hypermobiles or mobile elites. He goes on to add that being a ‘road warrior’ is highly glamorized on social media and marketing.

However, Cohen says that these elites should be very concerned about their health more than their bragging rights. He says, “Business travel has a wide range of physiological, psychological, emotional and social consequences that are often overlooked.”

But, all is not lost. Experts in psychology, exercise and other areas agree that there already may be an ideal prescription for problems affecting these frequent travelers; physical activity and exercise. So why is it so important to stay active while traveling? According to Cohen, it is because lack of activity will expose you to the following:

1. Faster aging: Specific genes affect how quickly we age and it appears the more you travel, the more you age as a result of gene disruption.

2. Exposure to more than healthy radiation: Radiation exposure is multiplied hundreds of times at higher altitudes than at ground level. There have even been efforts to classify frequent business travelers as radiation workers and noted in the paper, “radiation exposure amongst commercial aircrew even exceeds that of nuclear power workers.”

3. Weaker immune systems: Breathing the same re-circulated air on long flights will expose you to germs more often, while jetlag and general tiredness is known to switch off genes linked to the immune system. 

4. Obesity and generally out-of-shape: Poor diet, alcohol intake and lack of exercise while traveling will expose you to higher risks of obesity. Airline foods are preserved with salt and sugar that will wreak havoc on your body.

5. Higher risk of potential mental health issues: Stress from preparing for a trip combined with jetlag will make you disoriented. Further, the disruption of the circadian rhythm from frequent traveling affects mood, judgment and concentration for up to six days. 

6. Combating frequent traveling bad effects: While there are several options like improving diet, alternative modes of transportation, as well as food reimbursements to employees, physical activity is truly your best approach to combating the effects of travel.

The following are exercises you will want to start regardless of age:

1. Aerobic  
2. Flexibility and balance
3. Strength training

Before you get into any fitness program, it is always advisable to consult with your doctor, physician or healthcare provider. With Prime Travel, all the fitness options you need while traveling await you. With locations around the country, this program is specifically designed for you; the frequent traveler. Learn more about Prime Travel and how it can help you combat the negative parts of traveling with routine exercise and activity.