Whether for business or pleasure, more of us will be travelling internationally this summer. But with so many things to see and do when you get to your destination, the basics of health and safety can often be neglected.
Being ill can easily spoil your travel arrangements and it’s not much fun watching everyone from your hotel bed or balcony, whilst they are having fun and enjoying themselves.
Being ill have also cost implications, not only that you might not see much from your planned holiday programme, but you might also need to stay longer if you are still ill or won’t be able to travel to your next destination. All of this costs extra money on hotels, food, emergency health cover cost and medication. So, if you want to stay on budget on your holiday you need to look after your health!
Here are my top 10 tips on staying healthy when travelling
1. Check what vaccines you might need for your destination
Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on vaccines and health alerts at your destination and visit your doctor ideally, 4-6 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicine you may need.
2. Take extra vitamins
Strengthen your immune system before you travel by exercising and taking your vitamins.
3. Get a rest before you travel
Get 7-9 hours of sleep the night before you fly.
4. Eat healthy
Pack healthy snacks for the plane (nuts, veggies, and fruits), but make sure to consume them in flight so as not to bring them into another country.
5. Stay hydrated & drink only save water
Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water, water, water.
6. limit alcohol & caffeine
Skip the alcohol and caffeine.
7. Wash your hands regularly
Higher amount of people that you don’t know mean higher chances of catching a cold or a flu. Make sure that you wash your hands regularly and carry a travel size antibacterial sanitizer.
Be aware of your surroundings and what you touch and how. You’ll automatically hold on to the rail when you step into a train, tram or a underground, but don’t touch your face afterwards (brush your hair off, touch your lips or wipe your eyes). This is the easiest way to spread germs, so be mindful of this.
On the plane, keep your hands and your personal items out of the seat back pocket to avoid germs. Imagine how many people have read that magazine!
8. Use sunscreen
Even if you are used to using sunscreen and insect repellent regularly when you are at home, make sure that you apply extra strength when you travel. You’ll be exposed to the sun for longer than if you are just going to a and from work or having a day off at the beach.
Even if you go in the winter, you need to apply sunscreen, especially if you are going skying or walking in the mountains.
9. eat only safe food and from reputable source
This probably happens far often than we think. We get all excited about local exciting food, eat loads of it and then become feeling ill. Even if this is just a simple diarrhoea, it’s best to avoid foods that you don’t know, because your stomach might not be able to digest it in a large quantities.
Make sure that you eat out in reputable restaurants. You can always check their health ratings online before you go out.
10. Seek medical help if you feel unwell
If you become ill during your holiday, go to a local pharmacy first to see if there are any medications that can be bought over the counter and don’t require a visit to a doctor or a hospital.
Once you return home, see a doctor immediately if you are not feeling well or if you notice any abnormal changes in your body. Be sure to let the office know you have recently been out of the country. Many times an illness will take a few days to appear.
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Magdalena
I am sure I would have a difficult time traveling overseas with a new diet I am eating now. I think your suggestions are awesome though.
Water, sleep, exercise, vitamins. Most excellent suggestions.
slehan at juno dot com
Very good tips for traveling internationally. Things we may not be aware of but will really come in handy for us. thank so much
These are great tips that everyone should read prior to traveling!
Great tips! I agree the most with Drinking Lots of Water!!! This is true for any travel. Even if it is just a 20 minute plane ride, water can make the difference.
What a timely post – I have a friend who just returned from a week in Hungary on a mission trip to help with vacation Bible school – thankfully she didn’t get sick until she got home, but it has been a week, and she still feels awful…..I think her downfall was that though she was very careful to only do bottled water, she is one of those folks that likes her drinks ICE COLD……..so the last day she was there, she broke down and got a Coke with lots of ice – well, of course, the ice is made from that same local water you aren’t supposed to drink……I bet you can figure out the rest of the story. Thanks for that great tip about keeping your stuff out of the seat back – I would have never thought of that one.
Probably wont get to travel for a bit but I will try to keep these tips in mind
These are great tips for travelling, especially overseas.
“Keep your hands and your personal items out of the seat back pocket to avoid germs. (Imagine how many people have read that magazine!)” That’s a great tip, and one that is frequently ignored!
These are good tips! Getting ready weeks before your trip by staying healthy and taking vitamins is huge.
I love the tip to skip alcohol and caffeine, especially the alcohol as it can affect a person differently at different altitudes