7 Ways to Stay Healthy When You Travel

Recent holidays such as the long summer break in many countries, Muharram 2022 in the Middle East, and July 4th in America contributed to plenty of air traffic round the globe: people are travelling again after the pandemic pause. 

Sightseeing and experiencing the local culture of the countries that you visit on your trip is always fun, but you still have to put your health ahead. 

Below, we have gathered 7 useful tips on how you can maintain your health on your trip.

Stay informed and updated on the vaccination requirements

Even as we enter a post-pandemic period, all travellers are obligated to take the necessary vaccinations to prevent them from getting sick during their travel. Every country has different vaccination requirements, therefore,  it is a must for you to always stay updated on the latest vaccination requirements of the countries or cities that you are visiting. If you’re travelling to the UK, for example, you won’t need to prepare any medical documents. However, if you’re flying to India, you’ll need to submit a self-declaration form on their online Air Suvidha portal.

Make sure to have a health insurance for your trip 

Health insurance is crucial in case you encounter an emergency and require access to credible medical treatment when traveling. Therefore, you should set aside some cash for travel insurance. Usually, a travel health insurance would cover some fees for ambulance bills, doctor service fee, hospital or operating room charges, X-rays, drugs, and other medications. 

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it is best to consult your doctor about which things that your health insurance can cover.

Always bring a first-aid-kit

When traveling, it’s always a good idea to include some basic first aid items. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain or fever, insect repellent, antibacterial wipes or gels, medicine for travel sickness, an anti-diarrheal like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium, adhesive bandages, disinfectant, and antibiotic ointment like Neosporin should all be included in your box. Additionally, in case your baggage are misplaced in transit, stow any essential medications you’re carrying in your carry-on instead of your checked baggage.

Light exercising before take-off and wearing compression socks in flight

Blood clots in legs are more likely to form when you sit for extended periods of time in a confined space. People who are over 50 years of age, overweight, or taking particular birth control pills are at greater risk for this case. Prior to takeoff, first take a lengthy, vigorous walk to help your blood flow on your feet. Wearing compression socks on the flight is also helpful for blood flow and keeps you hydrated.

Never skip a high-quality sleep 

When you are travelling, getting high-quality sleep can be tricky. Especially when you are on your way to your destination, high-quality sleep can be impossible to achieve due to many distractions. To overcome this, you can always bring your travel pillow or a neck pillow to support your neck while you are sleeping on flights, trains, or buses. 

Always chose the healthy options for foods and beverages

7 Ways to Stay Healthy When You Travel

Eating out and trying local cuisine is always an awesome experience. However, if it’s possible, you should pick an accommodation located near the local grocery store where you can buy all the fresh groceries for you to cook your own meals. Plus, you can also experience the local groceries of every country that you visit. 

As for beverages, you can always stick to the mineral water since you will need a much more water intake while travelling and don’t forget to take your vitamin supplements to complement your daily nutrition. 

Pro tip: if you’re planning to travel to Middle Eastern countries around spring next year, be mindful that during Ramadan 2023 (March – April), it may be hard to locate eateries that are open during daytime. So, sometimes bringing some snacks can help you stay healthy and full during your trip!

Try to stay active

Engaging in physical exercise throughout the day will make you feel better and finally more rested. It’s simple to add regular exercise while you’re away, even if that means using a hotel gym, seeing the sights on foot or by bike rather than by taxi. You can even do some pushups, jumping jacks, or yoga in your room. Our immune system is boosted by exercise, which also generates endorphins that makes us feel good and energized.

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