Picture this, it's the day of the event you spent eight months planning, 3,000 attendees are about to walk through the door and the whirlwind is about to begin. Then, all of the sudden, your eyes start to sink in and you feel your throat getting scratchy. Then you start to cough. Great. You're now entertaining all those attendees while sick. Doesn't that sound horrible? It does. And it is. As event planners, we tend to cut corners when it comes to sleeping, eating, and anything else that could take time away from planning. It's no doubt those sacrifices have saved hundreds, if not thousands, of events from turmoil, but it's important that you're in good health to tackle the event itself. Event planning shouldn't kill you. These are some easy ways to stay healthy at your next event, whether it be an annual user conference, like Cvent CONNECT, or a trade show. Stay on top of your health the same way you stay on top of your event.
1. Get Sleep
This might either sound self-explanatory or unheard of. To people who don't plan events sleep seems obvious, but in reality, it's the biggest sacrifice event planners tend to make. On average, event planners said they get only five hours of sleep every night. Lack of sleep can cause your immune system to crash. So, put yourself to bed. If you struggle to fall asleep, try using a sleep machine or sleep app to ensure you catch those coveted Z's. You'll feel more refreshed and ready to go in the morning. 
2. Eat Well
I fall victim to eating anything in sight when planning an event, especially after skipping normal meals to take care of onsite problems. Yesterday, I found myself eating peanut M&M's for breakfast. Does skipping meals and eating weird food ever make me feel good or give me proper energy? Not at all. Just because there's a beautifully served dinner for your attendees doesn't mean you're enjoying that meal with them. No, you're the one jumping through hoops making sure it's happening without a hitch. Lucky for them, but unlucky for your stomach. Make time to eat. Find food that provides the nutrients your body needs. 70% of your body's health is what you eat, while only 30% is exercise. This means you need to take a hard look at what you're putting in. If you know you can't go somewhere for lunch, pack a meal the night before. There are tons of meal prep resources out there. Find a system that works for you. 
3. Take Vitamins and Drink Emergen-C
Plan ahead! One of the best ways to prevent sickness is by taking vitamins. At CONNECT, our planners bring loads of Emergen-C and drink it like water to stay healthy. This helps to prevent colds before they happen. Stay hydrated and drink lots of water as well. This will keep you moving throughout your day. Use these three tips to stay on top of your health and tackle your event without any hiccups (or colds).
