Comic Con 2015 -- Survival and Essential breaks, with links for health tips

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Tempting as it might be to ensconce yourself away in the convention center .. you will pay for it during and after the con. Get outside. The handy on-site map shows you there's lots close by to explore...

Just a few minutes walk will make you feel better .. and you'll find handy ways to refresh and re-charge...

Two of my favorite spots are right at this corner... 1st and Market.

This Lion Coffee store is a gem. Free WiFi and all the usual coffee treats... plus snacks. Lion Coffee is a Hawaiian specialty and is known as "the cup that cheers." 

From their website: http://lioncoffeesd.com/about.html

Experience the best cup of joe you’ve ever tasted at LION Coffee. Our coffees are unique--comprised of a signature blend of beans from the mainland of Hawaii and specially roasted to give them an artful flavor that is distinctive to LION Coffee alone. In addition to our brews, we also offer smoothies, frappa chillas, gourmet hot chocolates and specially blended hot and iced teas. Visit us at our East Village location on Market Street...

There is a coffee bar... packaged coffee .. and a small dining area with tables and chairs...

Continue up 1st st. and you'll soon arrive at the SDCC oasis also known as the Ralphs Supermarket....
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ralphs-san-diego-7?osq=ralphs+downtown

In addition to produce, dairy and deli options.. this Ralphs has a sushi to go section..

 This is the cheese counter... there's also lots of fresh fruit and veggies...

They welcome the con and it's fun to see how they dress up the market...

The soup and salad bar are a great way to add a healthy option to your dining choices...

The pre-made sandwiches are assembled on site with yummy Boar's Head brand meats... several types of Chicken, Turkey, Roast Beef etc...

If you have a bit more time .. you can't beat the sandwiches made-to-order! This year they had a handy sheet to check off your choices.. bread, meat, cheese, veggies, spreads etc. The sandwiches are huge. Have one half for lunch.. and the other at the end of the day...

Feed yourself well.. you'll need it. And if you are in charge of a booth .. or visitng friends who are working the con ... food gifts are most welcome....

We were gifted with amazing macaroons fresh from France...

and super-sized, super hero themed donuts from the famous San Diego's Donut Bar http://donutbarsandiego.com/Donuts/

On the walk along 1st street...there was a row of bikes for rent...

This is 1st Street walking back to the convention center, with the Marriott hotel on the right.

There are also lots of pedicabs for hire along this route. This one was decked out for Game of Thrones..

Take care as you get closer to the convention center... There are crossing guards to help pedestrians negotiate the trolley tracks.

SDCC has a full schedule of top-notch panels. Yes, there are worthwhile offerings besides the packed to the gills, with long waits in line, Hall H ordeal. Selecting a smaller panel to attend is a good option for re-charging. There is often a water cooler with cups inside the panel room.

Besides all the benefits of panels.. the upper level hallways are usually fairly quiet.. and there are electrical outlets along the walls to re-charge your devices.

Outside the infamous Hall H is a long walk way to the Hilton hotel... 

The Hilton has a large Starbucks with lots of outdoor seating..... This year it was decorated with a Star Wars theme...

This lovely spacious garden-like outdoor space is what surrounds the Hilton hotel. Just a few minutes walk from the convention center...These grounds are also used for some of the many po-culure thermed outdoor activities that spring up around the convention center for the week of Comic Con...

This year .. we were invited to a business dinner in the evening. It was a wonderful evening .. and the first time in YEARS that we had seen a bit of downtown San Diego at night!

Here are links for more tips on surviving comic con and other conventions...

How to Stay Healthy Before, During and After a Convention
http://vitals.lifehacker.com/how-to-stay-healthy-before-during-and-after-a-convent-1716150934

Some tips on finding quiet times and spaces
http://www.fanpup.me/blog/even-batman-needs-alone-time-strategy-guide-for-mental-health-at-conventions

Ideas for snack/meal options
http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/7-tips-for-healthier-eating-at-fitness-conventions