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Three Keys to Healthy Travel
February 12, 2010 | Permalink
A while back, Forbes Magazine ran an article that shocked me. According to a study by the American Fitness Index, or AFI, the healthiest city in America is Washington, D.C. Why, one might wonder, with all its stress, long hours and dining out, would Washington rank as the healthiest city? The reasons for the AFI ranking can actually be a guide for road warriors interested in maintaining good health while they travel.
After eliminating inherited risk contributors, there were three basic health factors in the AFI study that attributed to a city’s rank. These are diet, exercise and recreation. It is exactly these factors that are the primary challenges faced by many road warriors who spend days or weeks traveling for business each month.
The AFI study sited two specific aspects of how food is important. First was the frequency with which we eat five or more daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. The second item was the availability of farmers markets in the region.
Consuming the appropriate amount of fruits and vegetables at the appropriate frequency is tough enough while you’re at home, but even harder when you are traveling on business. Although we might be able to get the prescribed volume of fruit and vegetables eating in restaurants, it is highly unlikely we would get the nutritional value of fresh produce found at a local farmers market. As the predominant US hotel chain offering full kitchen amenities in its guest rooms, Extended Stay Hotels provides the best environment for those who are trying to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their daily meals. You can stock up on the good stuff, thanks to our full refrigerators, and prepare delicious meals to your taste in your room, either on the stovetop or, in several locations, in the oven.
As for the farmers markets, fear not. The Internet has once again come to our rescue. Local Harvest is a website that makes finding a farmers market or organic food outlet very simple. From the Home page, click “Farmers’ Markets” or “Grocery/Co-op,” insert the zip code of your hotel and view local options.
Exercise was the study’s second major factor. Specifically, bicycling and swimming are suggested as ideal physical activities. Often times, bicycle shops rent bikes, and many communities have accessible riding trails. The Great Bicycle Trails website has good information on trails in various locations.
As for swimming, many Extended Stay Hotels locations have swimming pools inside or outside the hotel. Still other Extended Stay Hotels have fitness centers or are near local gyms.
Road Warrior believes that a happy traveler is a healthy traveler, which brings us to the final key to staying healthy - recreation. Add to the value of your exercise by doing something you enjoy. For many people that means golf. Most sizeable metro areas have multiple public courses, many offering rental equipment. Pack your shoes, a glove and a few golf balls, and then use Golflink.com to find the perfect local course.
Everyone has his or her own favorite recreation. Extended Stay Hotels wants to help you locate the right hotel near your favorite activity. Visit this page to find a hotel near your favorite leisure destination.
Road Warrior hopes you will be a happy and healthy traveler as you move around the country on business or for fun.
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