Traveling is when many of us have our most profound and memorable experiences. The old cliché about travel broadening the mind is true, as anyone who has traveled extensively will tell you. Unfortunately, though, travel isn’t always the unmitigated joy that we want it to be.
Exposing yourself to new people and cultures is an undeniably wonderful experience, but being exposed to an entirely new ecosystem of microbes can wreak havoc on our systems. There are a variety of illnesses and ailments that can affect travelers, fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are five of the most essential health tips for frequent travelers.
Get Your Shots
There is a lot to be said for an improvisational approach to travel and some of the best experiences you will have will be unplanned ones. However, solid research is also necessary in order to have the best experience. While you are scouting out potential travel destinations, make sure that you check whether you will need any special shots or vaccines beforehand. If these are recommended, then do not skimp on them.
Think About Your Diet
Our diets are important to our overall health. Most of us maintain a reasonably healthy diet without thinking about it too much. It isn’t until we are thrown into a foreign country and cuisine that we realise how unprepared we really are.
If you are vegetarian or vegan, or you have any other restrictions on your diet such as allergies, you should check what your food options will be beforehand. Some countries are a paradise for vegetarians, others are a nightmare, it all depends on the local culture.
Remember to Relax
Emotional health is just as important as physical health. Travel can be stressful at times and any steps you can take to minimize your worry will make your experience more enjoyable.
This is also an excellent excuse to sample the local massage style and find out how the locals relax. You can usually find good information about local masseurs online, including customer testimonials. For example, if you are visiting Thailand then check out Lets Relax Spa’s massage Bangkok. Their spa branches are located in close proximity to some of Bangkok’s most popular tourist attractions. Consider setting aside one day of your holiday to be dedicated to total and unfettered relaxation.
Check the Water Situation
The general levels of hygiene and sanitation you will experience when traveling can vary wildly. You may well be used to the relatively high standards of hygiene enjoyed by many western countries, but you can’t take this for granted when traveling.
Before traveling anywhere, you should always check what the local water supply is like in terms of cleanliness; in some cases, you should only drink bottled water.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
Washing your hands regularly will minimize your exposure to bugs and viruses. If you are going somewhere with a relatively unclean water supply, make sure that you pack some antibacterial hand gel in your luggage. This stuff can generally be used without the need for additional water.
Staying healthy while traveling is mostly a case of using common sense. However, you will have to be more aware of your general hygiene to stay healthy. You also need to be prepared for microbes that you haven’t encountered before to overrun your body’s defences and sometimes getting ill is unavoidable. If you take the proper precautions, you should be able to enjoy your travels without illness.
