Summer is the most popular time of year for travel. Whether you choose to stay close to home for your summer vacation, or travel to another state or country, vacation is a welcome break from daily routines.

For many, it is a much-needed break from work and can improve mental and physical health. A study conducted at the State University of New York at Oswego found that men who take more frequent vacations have a 30% lower risk of dying due to heart disease, while women who take frequent vacations have a 50% reduced risk of dying from heart disease.

Interestingly, the type of vacation you take may play a role in how refreshing you find your break to be. While it may seem that the most relaxing vacation would be sitting on a tropical beach somewhere basking in the sun, "recharging," research has indicated otherwise. A study found that people who take more active vacations--specifically, vacations that require concentration on a task different than they would do at their job--reported feeling more rested and eager to get back to work after their vacation than those who took more "passive" vacations.

If you are traveling by plane, remember to stay hydrated. The air on planes is very dry, and thus you should drink 8 oz. of water for every hour of flying. Air travel also puts you in close quarters with lots of people, and lots of germs. So before you go anywhere, remember to boost your immune system to help defend against any "bugs" you may encounter en route or at your destination. Probiotics, cranberry extract, and Echinacea are great choices to help boost the immune system.

Travel is a great time to try new foods and restaurants that can have a lasting benefit to one's diet. Instead of having dinner at the favorite chain restaurant, travel presents an opportunity to try a local restaurant. Not only will you get to try something different, you might also find a new favorite restaurant that you can look forward to visiting in years to come. You may also discover a new fruit, vegetable or grain that you can add to your diet. If budget constraints, dietary restrictions or the type of vacation you are taking (e.g. camping) limit your ability to eat out, try not to relegate dinner to "chore status" or make it just one person's responsibility. Make it a family activity; not only is this a great chance to spend some quality time with your spouse and kids, it is a chance for everyone to learn new cooking skills and improve existing ones. You might also find that it's a family activity you want to continue when you return from your trip. Be aware that eating new or unusual foods can sometimes cause digestive problems. Daily consumption of yogurt or our Super Lactobacillus Probiotics may help your digestive system stay in balance and help you to avoid any problems. And as always, try not to over indulge; you don't want a bulging waistline to be your longest-lasting vacation souvenir.

Consider these tips when you plan your next excursion, and have a wonderful summer vacation!