Staying Healthy on Vacation

Miami is known for being a healthy place. We have the South Beach diet, year round warm weather and a lot of beautiful people. Staying healthy on vacation should be easy to do with all the relaxing on the beach and good food and drink, but sometimes the unexpected can happen. Follow these simple guidelines to help you return home just as healthy as when you arrived.

Food and drink
We all know drinking water is good for you, but staying hydrated in the Miami heat is a must, especially if you are spending long days in the sun. Keep a bottle of water with you and use the water fountains along the beach boardwalk.

Miami tap water is one of the cleanest water supplies you will find in the United States. It is completely safe to drink, exceeding all federal and state drinking water standards. In 2008, Forbes magazine ranked Miami “America’s Cleanest City”, for its year-round good air quality, vast green spaces and clean drinking water.

Miami has hundreds of restaurants serving great food, so eating well is easy here. But for those of you who like to eat organic fresh food, we have both Whole Foods and Fresh Market on South Beach and restaurants such as Books and Books and Pizza Fusion for dining out on good nutritious food.

Exercise
A healthy body is unlikely to get sick on vacation so make sure when packing your suitcase that you leave room for your running shoes. Many of the hotels have gyms and exercise can be found everywhere you look in South Beach. Walk or run on the boardwalk, swim in the ocean, rent bikes or rollerblades, take a sunset beach yoga class or try your hand at surfing.

Smoking in public places
Smoking is banned in common areas used by the public such as schools, offices and in restaurants. However in the bars and clubs that law does not apply. All nightlife venues still allow smoking inside so do not be surprised to find your clothes and hair smelling of smoke after a night out in Miami.

General Well Being
It is always sensible to carry hand sanitizer gel with you, and they can be purchased at any Walgreens or CVS. Victoria’s Secret even sells scented gels on key chains. Miami is a tropical climate so keep the mosquitoes away by using insect repellant. The hottest part of the day is between 11-3 and it helps to wear a hat if you are out in the sun for the day. The sunshine is strong in South Florida so be sure to always use sunscreen.

Plenty of sleep on vacation helps keep you healthy, so if you’re out all night in the clubs, catch up on your shut eye as you relax on the beach. And if you meet someone on your nights out, don’t forget to practice safe sex!

Where to go if you get sick
If despite all your efforts you still end up getting sick, help is at hand. First stop is your local pharmacy, and Miami Beach has a Walgreens or CVS on practically every corner. Over the counter medicine is always available, the pharmacists are full of knowledge and it is free to ask their advice. If you do need to see a Doctor, the CVS on Lincoln Rd has a Minute Clinic where they can diagnose and treat common illnesses and minor injuries.

For minor emergencies, visit Medigo Urgent Care located at 1355 Alton Road, where there is an Emergency Physician working seven days a week. The nearest Emergency Room in Miami Beach is at Mount Sinai Medical Center, located at 4300 Alton Road.

Exercise, sleep, good food and plenty of water are the key to a healthy vacation in Miami. Enjoy the sun safely with a good sunscreen as sunburn is never fun to deal with. If the unexpected happens and you do not feel well, remember help is always at hand. But following the above guidelines will help you have a wonderful vacation and returning home as well as when you left.

About the Author: A SoBe resident for 5 years, Jess’s writing focuses on healthy living in South Beach with a dose of British humor and a cheerful outlook on life in Miami. She can be found moderating the forum Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Jess.

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