Tips for Healthy Summer Travel

Healthy Summer Travel: Lower Emissions, Better Health

Summer travel offers restoration, connection, and exploration. But it also comes with environmental and health tradeoffs that are increasingly important to address. How we travel matters: transportation is responsible for nearly a quarter of global energy-related carbon emissions.

For outpatient healthcare professionals, this presents a clear opportunity: to model healthier, lower-emission choices that support both personal wellbeing and planetary health.

Choose Lower-Emission Transportation Options
When possible, prioritize trains, buses, or direct flights rather than multi-stop trips. Aviation remains one of the most carbon-intensive modes of transportation, particularly for short trips. According to the International Energy Agency, rail travel can produce up to 90% fewer emissions than short-haul flights.

For domestic travel, consider combining fewer, longer trips instead of multiple short ones.

Stay in Walkable, Health-Oriented Locations
Choosing accommodations in walkable neighborhoods or near public transportation reduces reliance on rental cars and taxis. It also creates a built-in opportunity for healthy walking while on vacation.

Walking is one of the most accessible and effective ways to support health. Regular walking has been shown to improve cardiovascular function, support healthy blood pressure, enhance circulation, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Even moderate daily walking—10 to 20 minutes at a time—can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and strengthen the immune system.

Walking also plays a meaningful role in mental wellbeing. Time spent walking outdoors can reduce stress hormones, improve mood, and support better sleep patterns. For healthcare professionals experiencing burnout or fatigue, integrating walking into travel routines can provide a simple but powerful reset.

Minimize Plastic and Medical Waste on the Go
Travel often increases reliance on single-use plastics—from water bottles to takeout packaging. Bringing a reusable water bottle, utensils, and small containers can significantly reduce waste. Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize the broader impact. A growing body of research links plastic production and exposure to adverse health outcomes across the lifecycle.

A recent analysis published in The Lancet Planetary Health highlights the scale of the issue: “The life-cycle impacts of plastics—from extraction to disposal—pose substantial risks to human health, contributing to disease burdens globally.”
This reinforces that reducing plastic use during travel is not just an environmental choice—it is also a preventive health action.

Maintain Healthy Routines While Traveling
Disrupted sleep, dietary changes, and dehydration are common during travel. Simple strategies—such as maintaining hydration, prioritizing whole foods, and scheduling time for rest—can significantly improve wellbeing.

Further Reading:
Plastics: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00146-8/fulltext

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