Traveling is a great way to grow as a person since it teaches you so much about yourself and the world around you. The thing about travel that may not be obvious to some is that it can take a toll on your health. When you are on the road your routine gets disrupted, getting the right nutrients is challenging, and rest is hard to come by.
All of this to say that your immune system will take a hit when you are traveling so it is easier than normal to get sick. Staying healthy while traveling requires a bit of planning and smart choices, but it’s well worth the effort. In this article, we will go over what to do when traveling to stay healthy.
1 – Pre-trip preparation
Before setting off on your travels, preparing for potential health risks will go a long way to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. For instance, some destinations will be more of a health risk than others.
Researching your destination beforehand will help you prepare for the trip to make sure you focus on staying healthy. This research should include understanding the local climate, prevalent diseases, and any recent outbreaks.
Seeing your doctor before traveling for a checkup could also help you avoid a nasty health surprise when on the road. Your doctor can provide you with necessary vaccinations and medications you might need, based on the destinations you’re planning to visit. They can offer advice on how to avoid common travelers’ health issues like traveler’s diarrhea and malaria.
Packing a health kit is another important preparation step. Your kit should include first aid supplies such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, and over-the-counter medications for pain or fever. Don’t forget to include hand sanitizer and any prescription medications you take regularly. Since finding specific medications abroad can be difficult, having a well-stocked health kit ensures you’re prepared for minor health issues.
One of the most important things to prepare before you leave is worldwide medical insurance if you’re traveling abroad. This type of insurance can provide peace of mind by covering unexpected medical expenses while you’re away from home. It ensures that in case of illness or injury, you won’t face the added stress of navigating foreign healthcare systems or managing high medical costs on your own.
2 – Diet choices
Making smart choices about what you eat and drink while traveling is key to staying healthy and enjoying your trip. Getting plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help you maintain a balanced diet even when you’re away from home. These foods are packed with the nutrients your body needs to stay energized and healthy.
However, it’s important to be cautious about where you get your food, especially in areas where sanitation might be a concern. Sometimes, street food, although tempting and part of the local culture, may not always meet the hygiene standards you’re used to, which could lead to stomach issues.
Make sure that any meat or fish you consume is cooked thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria. In places where water safety is questionable, it’s safer to stick to bottled or purified water, even for brushing your teeth. This can help prevent diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever.
Staying hydrated is often ignored when you’re traveling. Carrying a reusable water bottle makes it easier to keep water on hand at all times, ensuring you drink enough throughout the day. However, try to limit how much alcohol and caffeine you drink, as these can lead to dehydration. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks might seem refreshing at the moment, but they can interfere with your sleep patterns and make it harder for your body to adjust to new time zones or recover from the day’s activities.
3 – Get sleep
It’s tempting to try to run on all cylinders on vacation to make sure you see and do everything on your bucket list. However, sleep and rest should be prioritized. Getting enough sleep can make a big difference in your energy levels, mood, and overall health.
Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule as much as possible. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can aid your body’s internal clock in adjusting to a new time zone and reduce the impact of jet lag.
Jet lag is a very common obstacle to rest, making you feel tired during the day and wide awake at night. To combat this, start adjusting to the new time zone as soon as you arrive by matching your activities and sleep schedule to the local time. Seeking exposure to natural daylight can also help reset your internal clock by signaling to your body when it’s time to be awake and when to sleep.
