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10 Ways to Make Any Hotel Room Healthier

10 Ways to Make Any Hotel Room Healthier

By Tracey Minkin

May 21, 2013

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Vacations can wreak havoc with your lifestyle. From on-the-go meals to third-rate exercise facilities, it can be hard to stick with your normal eating, sleeping, and workout routines. But at least when it comes to your hotel room, these simple steps will make it a healthier place to hang out.

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Enjoy your stay

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Wherever you’re staying, these easy moves will make your visit better for you, according to Athletic Minded Traveler co-founder Jim Kaese.

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Go smoke-free

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Ask for a nonsmoking floor when making your reservation.

Not an option? Request a nonsmoking room.

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Don’t drink

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Just say no to the minibar key when checking in. You’ll save cash—and calories.

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Toss the bed cover

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Bedspreads are notorious havens for dust mites (and worse). Stash it in the corner of the room.

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Disinfect

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Wipe down the TV remote and telephone with an antibacterial wipe before first use.

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Don’t reuse

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Avoid the reusable glasses, even if they have a paper cover on top (plastic sealed cups are preferable).

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Bring your own snacks

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Keeping fruit (banana, apple), bottled water, and nuts or trail mix in your room helps ensure that you don’t overdo it when eating out.

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Make white noise

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Invest in a portable “soft-noise maker” if you’re a super-light sleeper.

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Get moving

Turn a tiny hotel room into your own personal fitness center.

Invest in a portable exercise kit in case your hotel doesn’t have a workout room or pool. Or try this simple yoga routine, designed specifically with cramped hotel rooms in mind.

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Do a renovation check

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Renovations are likely to be loud, and may stir up dirt and dust, so call ahead to make sure parts of the hotel aren’t under construction.

Unexpected maintenance? Ask to switch to a room farther away from the upkeep.

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Note the exits

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Because you’re in unfamiliar territory, take a few minutes to check out the exits closest to your room, just as a precaution.

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