Benefits of Taking a Family Vacation

Family vacations are important to stay healthy both mentally and physically for all members of the family. Below are just a few of the benefits.

Health Benefits - Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and keeping the immune systems and nervous system functioning normally. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin made by the body, in the skin, from exposure to sunlight. While this essential nutrient is available as a supplement, spending some time outdoors each day (as little as 5-15 minutes) can provide the needed benefits. The best part: the sun is free! Further, preliminary research suggests Vitamin D can help prevent various forms of cancer, including breast, prostate and colon cancers.

Relaxation - Taking time to play has powerful benefits for children and adults. Play has been said to be the single most significant factor in determining our success and happiness. Play is just as important as sleep! Play involves anticipation, surprise and pleasure. Adults who play can enjoy freedom from time, rules and responsibilities, bringing balance to their busy lives.

Strengthen Relationships - Too often, in our fast-paced daily routine, family relationships suffer. A vacation is a great opportunity to discover each other in a different setting and to build lasting memories.

Vacation time shrinks stress - Vacation helps shrink stress and anxiety while also boosting the mental and physical health of the entire family. We need a brain break, a detour from deadlines and a timeout from technology! It takes effort to unplug from the ever-spinning world around us, but one's mind, body and spirit will be renewed by re-plugging into the joys of quality time with family and friends.

Healthy Vacation Tips

Great news! Summer is almost here. This means one thing...vacation time! But if you're like most Americans, you're busy and most likely on a budget. Because of this, planning a good trip becomes that much more difficult.

To assist your quest for the perfect vacation, we've developed a a few travel secrets to help you get the most of your vacation with less money, space and time.

Don't Take a Vacation From Health

The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you're more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip — and your trip will definitely be more enjoyable. The good news is that as a teen, your immune system is as strong as an adult's, but lack of sleep and a poor diet can make it easier for you to become sick.

The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.

Common Travel Troubles

Three of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness.

There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.

Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you're used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), but others aren't affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you're traveling to before you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.

The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home.

Ten Tips to Save on Travel

1. Make a travel budget and stick to it. Decide how much you want to spend overall and how much you want to spend for each component of your trip, such as airfare, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and meals.
2. Don't forget about those unexpected expenses. Set aside money in your travel budget to cover those costs you might not anticipate, like a perfect souvenir or a forgotten travel essential.
3. Pick a hotel with free extras. Choosing a hotel with many free amenities, such as Internet access, parking, and local calls, can save money.
4. Book early and online. The earlier you book, the more you may be able to save. Going online to book your trip also lets you take advantage of Internet only travel deals.
5. Go far from the crowd. Traveling off-peak, whether it means flying during a slower time of day or day of the week, or visiting a destination during a less popular time of year, means saving money and hassle.
6. Go farther from the crowd. Less well-known destinations or attractions offer you the same experiences as the "big names" for less money. Also, flying to a smaller city close to your destination can save you money and time.
7. Take advantage of discounts. If you belong to AAA or AARP, you can get discounts, freebies, and other deals on just about everything related to travel. Also, check into special deals for students, seniors, and families. Check out your hotel to find out what discounts you may be eligible for.
8. Ask hotel staff about special deals. The staff and management at your hotel often has the inside track on economical attractions and activities in your destination, where to find cheap eats, and other deals you may not otherwise know about.
9. Take advantage of rewards programs. If you travel on a regular basis, consider signing up for rewards programs, such as credit cards, that offer you frequent flier miles or other reward points.
10. Look into a package deal. Booking your hotel, flight, and rental car as a package saves you time and money.

Top Travel Packing Tips

1. Take advantage of those "hidden" spaces. For example, place small items inside your shoes or the pockets of shirts or jackets you pack.
2. Pack extra bags in your bag. Packing a duffle bag in your luggage gives you extra space to bring things home with you. It's also a good idea to bring plastic sandwich or grocery bags for laundry or other items.
3. Tag those bags. Tag your luggage with a distinctive luggage tag with your contact information to help you find your bag if you lose it. A distinctive tag makes it easier to spot your bag at baggage claim.
4. Don't pack what you can get at your destination. Some hotels have a hair dryer in every room, along with many toiletry items, so you may not need to pack them.
5. Avoid checking baggage if you can. Limiting your baggage to carry-ons saves you time and aggravation checking your bags, plus you don't have to worry about losing your baggage.
6. Get on a roll. You can save space by rolling clothes instead of folding them.
7. Watch your back (pack). Pack heavier items in the bottom of your backpack and distribute items evenly from left to right. Use both straps to carry it, too.

Top Travel Preparation Tips

1. Research your destination. Get copies of maps of your destination to locate routes, attractions, and essential services. Your library, travel agent, and the Internet are some good places to get information.
2. Talk to fellow travelers. If you know people who have been to the place you plan to visit, ask them about what they liked about their trip and what they would do differently next time.
3. Make a list and check it twice. Make a list of essentials that you need to pack. Also, make a list of things you want to see and do on your trip.
4. Are you covered? If you are traveling outside of the U.S., your health and accident insurance may not cover you. Also, look into travel insurance for cancellations or other travel mishaps.