The Fundamentals of Travel Health

Andrew Cate writes for Australian health insurance provider ahm. For more about leading a healthy lifestyle, health insurance andhealth cover, visit the website.


Set your alarm


Start by setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier. Taking a morning walk or run clears your mind, boosts your metabolism and lifts your mood (and it’s free!). If you have a young family, take turns with your partner to exercise - one of you looks after the kids one morning, then switch the next.


Motivation tip - put your sneakers and work-out gear next to your bed, so when you wake up you have no excuse!


Use your lunchtime


Instead of eating at your desk or in the food court, take the time to get active. Join a gym near your workplace and do a quick workout at lunch. Or just put your sneakers on and go for a power walk.


Motivation tip – Mark exercise "meetings’ in your diary.


Ditch the car


Walk or cycle to work - recent research reveals that people who drive to work are more likely to be overweight than those who don’t. Leave the car at home if you can and walk all or part of the way to work. Get off the train or bus a few stops earlier, park your car further away from your workplace or find a safe cycle route.


Motivation tip – "Commute" with a friend; make it a social activity as well as a physical one.


Get Active


Lead an active life - If you don’t have the time for much planned exercise then remember to be active everyday in as many ways as possible...


• At work


o Take stairs instead of the lift


o Don’t email or phone a co-worker, walk to their desk and tell them in person


o Do stretches and seated exercises at your desk


• At home


o Cleaning the house is a great way to burn energy


o Try gardening or washing the car


o Ban remote controls, get up and change the channel


Motivation tip – Try using a pedometer to count your daily steps. You should aim to take 10000 steps a day.