There is always that one important aspect about traveling that we always forget; staying healthy and cold-free!

A study from the Journal of Environmental Health Research showed that colds may be more than 100 times more likely to be transmitted on a plane than during normal daily life on the ground. Viruses are able to thrive when the air isn’t as hot and they travel faster when the weather is not as humid, making it easier for them to go from one person to the next.

There are few ways to stay healthy before, during and after vacation. Below are tips from tips from Dr. Jennifer Collins, MD and Assistant Professor and physician specializing in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in the Department of Otolaryngology at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (NYEEI)

Exercising: A great secret to staying healthy is exercising on a regular basis; this actually helps to boost your immune system!  No time for the gym because your shopping too much? Take the longer route when walking to and from your car to the stores. Hitting the club scene? Dance the night away! Average 30-minutes of dancing can actually burn 150+ calories!

Upping your Zinc Gluconate intake:  Zinc Gluconate is clinically proven to short duration of a cold by almost half and if you start feeling symptoms of a cold, taking natural, homeopathic remedies such as Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy which releases Zinc ions into the throat and upper respiratory system to prevent the cold virus from spreading. They are great to have on a plane, too. Sucking on a lozenge will alleviate the popping of your ears while flying!

Vitamin C - Complex B and Calcium: These vitamins not only strengthen your immune system, but they are easy to get a hold of as well! A glass of milk, orange juice or a quick trip the pharmacy can help you prevent a cold. Did somebody say Mimosa with extra OJ?!

Having Fun: Of course, stressing out before a trip is never any fun. Loosen up, laugh with friends, and dance a lot! Laughter reduces stress and the less stress you have helps your immune system function effectively. 

Wellness Travel Journal caught up with Jenn Zerling, MS, CPT  - an LA based fitness expert and author of Breaking the Chains of Obesity, 107 Tools.  We asked her to share some of her insights about health and also share some fitness tips.

Says Jenn, "Some people make it very clear to me that they just don't have a second to add physical fitnessinto their lives.  Aside from leading a sedentary lifestyle to begin with (more or less a desk job), all movement has been removed from their lives shifting them into the at-risk category for heart disease."  

Whether you are at home or on the road, Jenn advocates, "Out with the old excuses! Just grab 10 minutes out of your schedule and do the following exercises...And yes, you do have 10 minutes-trust me!"  

Before doing exercising, Jenn recommends some dynamic flexibility stretching which is holding a stretch for 5 counts (v.s. static flexibility stretching where the hold is for 30 seconds or more.)
The purpose of dynamic flexibility is to bring range of motion and blood flow to the muscles that are about to be used during exercise.  It is best to do dynamic flexibility exercises prior to exercise and static afterwards.  Perform some dynamic flexibility for the major body parts including your chest, calves, hips, hamstrings and quads.

Below are Jenn's tips for 10 minutes of fitness a day.  

1. Warmup for 1 minute marching in place. Perform some dynamic flexibility for the major body parts including your chest, calves, hips, hamstrings and quads.
   
2. 10 Sun Salutations
   
3. 25 Pushups (do as many as you can in a row until you can get to 25 combined)
   
4. 25 Crunches
   
5. 25 Bicycle Crunches
   
6. 25 Squats
   
7. 25 Push Planks
   
8. 25 Squat to Planks 
   
9. 25 Down Dogs to Planks
   
10. STRETCH: Stretch these muscle groups for 30 seconds: Hamstrings, Calves, Hips, Chest, Neck, Lower back (Don't know how?  You Tube has some good videos that help depict certain exercises that you can view.) www.JZfitness.com