Venturing off on a summer vacation or a winter holiday can be a wonderful idea. Taking a break from the rigmaroles of modern life and foregoing technology and social media for a couple of weeks means that you can return home feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. However, there is just a tiny niggle in the back of your head; it’s definitely not panic, but it’s a little more than a worry. You are concerned that traveling to a far-flung destination could make you unwell or see you get under the weather. After all, you’ll be squashed in on a flight for goodness knows how many hours with people you don’t know who could have all sorts of lurgy. Try not to overthink things. There are plenty of ways you can stay healthy while on your vacation.
Vaccinations
Before you even set foot on your plane, you should be immune to anything and everything that’s lurking in the country you’re traveling to. Yellow fever and hepatitis can be vaccinated against and you should ensure that you MMR jab is up to date. Malaria can be a debilitating and life-threatening disease so ensure that you take the full course of tablets prescribed if you’re heading to a mosquito-ridden area.
You could even go a step further and take a look at your diet prior to traveling. Eat your oily fish and get plenty of Vitamin C to boost your immunity. You want to be the healthiest you can be before traveling.
Water
It’s well known that drinking the water abroad can cause tummy upsets. This isn’t often because the water is dirty or unclean, but that it’s made up of different compounds that our digestive systems aren’t used to. Always drink bottled water and decline ice in bars. Stay alert to unscrupulous shopkeepers who fill empty plastic bottles with tap water. Always check the seal and if it’s broken, move on. The best way to mitigate this is to pay a tad more and opt for a vending machine.
Activities
When out and about, take care when having a go at a new activity. Your excitement can make you reckless when trying out kitesurfing, zorbing or cross-country skiing for the first time. Should the worst occur and you get an injury, you may be lucky enough to be close to one of the many air evac bases to transport you to hospital. It’s vital that you get the care you need if you break a bone or require an operation. This is why it’s important to get your medical insurance sorted before you travel.
Heat
Although you may enjoy soaking in the rays of the sun, ensure that you slap on the sunscreen if you’re enjoying more tropical climes. The sun can be stronger near the equator, and the ravages of sunburn aren’t only painful in the short term, but they can have some long-lasting effects. Keep hydrated and wear a hat, so you don’t get heat stroke. While you may not get the bronzed tan you’re after, you won’t run the risk of a lobster pink peeling look that will ruin your vacation.
Follow this advice, and you’ll be enjoying a fun-filled and healthy vacation wherever you venture to in the world.
Image Credit: Pixabay
