Travel Tips for Health Whilst on Holiday
If there is one thing that most people can agree on before going on holiday, it is that becoming ill before, during or after a trip is a real let down. With some advance planning however, a fun and exciting time can be had by all. To increase the chances of a successful trip try some of these travel tips.
Planning and awareness are the real keys. To get yourself organized, try grouping your health plan into the following travel categories:
- Advance planning
- Food
- Awareness
- Prevention
Advance planning
It may appear to be a bit defeatist, but being prepared for the worst can save a holiday vacation. Knowing where a reputable healthcare physician is located in the region you are visiting can often take care of smaller health needs before they become trip ending health problems. In this regard, don’t forget your immunisations. A bug or animal bite could be a real trip ender. In addition to these tips is the understanding of what your insurance plan covers while you travel away from home. Coming home to a large medical bill is not the way to end a nice trip.
Flying
Making it through the getting on the plane process is enough stress in starting your holiday plans. Don’t add to the potential health dilemmas by encouraging issues on the plane ride. Try avoiding salt so your joints don’t swell. Alcohol and caffeine are two other items to pass on while flying. One of the bigger flying ideas is to get up and walk around the cabin and stretch, as keeping the blood flowing is important.
Food
Food choices are a critical element in holiday planning. At least two weeks before you begin your trip you should start eating the local diet where possible. This will start your body in the process of getting used to a different menu. Ultimately, eating a local diet will lessen the chances of stomach problems due to new spices or odd combinations of food your stomach is not used to.
Food is a great new experience but can also be your worst health enemy. With this in mind think about the following issues:
- Is there a chance of the water being tainted? If there is even a close chance opt for bottled water;
- If the water has the chance of being tainted, choose fruits and vegetables that can be peeled instead of washed;
- Does there appear to be adequate refrigeration for the foods that you are going to be eating during your travel? Two hours is the maximum recommended “left out” without refrigeration time period. This also means being wary of street vendors.
The two “biggies”
Where travel is concerned everybody gives tips and will have a few “musts” to look out for. Among them are two important items - keep your hands clean and use sun block. These two travel “musts” may seam simplistic but they are two of the easiest ways to have a good holiday and two of the most overlooked. Fingers invariably end up in your mouth with new and interesting germs and sunburn just plain hurts. To avoid these health areas simply take some hand wipes and lotion along, and, most importantly, use them during your holiday.