Being on the road can take a toll on your health, but that doesn’t mean you should resign yourself to becoming run-down and sickly. With just a few small changes in how you travel, you can make your trips more enjoyable, productive, and healthy—no matter where you go! Here are healthy secrets for travelers to stay healthy while on the road.
1. Undergo a Wellness Check-Up Before Travelling
If you’re a frequent traveler, your body is at an increased risk of illness when you are away from home. One way to reduce this risk is by undergoing a wellness checkup before travel. A checkup will take into account any underlying medical conditions and give you advice on how best to care for yourself while you’re away. It can also help you identify medication adjustments or other necessary steps to keep you healthy during your travels.
A wellness checkup can also help identify any pre-existing medical condition requiring additional treatment if you travel overseas. An example would be malaria, which requires certain anti-malarial drugs depending on the type of infection one has been exposed to, or dengue fever, among others. You can consult with a reliable medical laboratory such as Prism Health Labs for a variety of different types of tests so that you can determine if you need to take any special precautions to safeguard your health during your travel.
2. Start Boosting Your Immune System in Advance
Travelling can expose you to different viruses, bacteria, and weather changes, so it’s essential to start boosting your immune system in advance. You should emphasize eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C and avoiding sugar, processed foods, alcohol, smoking, or drinking too much caffeine before travel. However, if you’re looking for something different from diet changes, consider taking an immune-boosting supplement rich in Vitamin C plus other vital nutrients such as Vitamin D3, Echinacea, Beta Carotene, and Zinc.
You may also want to take probiotics if you’ve taken antibiotics recently since this can kill off healthy gut flora. Green tea extract can increase natural killer cells which attack invaders within the body that would cause illness. However, consulting a qualified healthcare provider before taking any supplements while traveling is crucial because they could interfere with prescription medications and shots.
3. Practice Good Hand Hygiene Throughout
You must wash your hands regularly with soap and water when you are out of your home. However, you can bring hand sanitizer in your carry-on bag if you cannot use soap and water. It’s advisable to use sanitizers containing alcohol rather than those with a non-alcohol base because non-alcoholic products may be less effective against certain bacteria.
Make sure that all members of your family follow these rules as well. That is especially important during cold and flu season, but it’s good practice year-round. When you use public restrooms, keep your hands away from your face. If you have a tissue, it’s a good idea to take it with you to avoid the ones in public toilets.
4. Protect Your Skin from the Sun and Bugs
To protect your skin from sun exposure, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. It’s also essential to cover up when you’re outside to avoid bug bites and other sources of infection. Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin if necessary. Mind Where You Sleep Over to Avoid Bugs: Bed bugs are spreading like wildfire. One way to keep them off your clothes is by storing them in sealed plastic bags while traveling.
If possible, choose hotels that offer bed nets and avoid sleeping directly on the mattress or using bedding (sheets, blankets) that others have used. Ensure not to leave any food uncovered since insects may be attracted to it and feed on it. If insects are present, keep windows closed during nighttime hours when possible.
5. Stay Hydrated and Wear for the Weather
When traveling, it is crucial to stay hydrated and wear appropriate clothing. If you are going outside during a hot day, it is best to wear light colors that keep you cool. You should always drink water or other fluids when traveling so that your body stays hydrated. When traveling in cold climates, wearing layers of clothing and dressing in water-repellent clothing when necessary is crucial.
Always drink enough liquids like coffee or tea because they contain caffeine which can stimulate metabolism and warm up your body. That helps to protect your body from extreme weather conditions, maintain proper hydration levels, and give yourself more energy. Consequently, your body can perform optimally and remain healthy and comfortable during travel. Self-care is crucial!
Conclusion
If you want to stay healthy while traveling, it will require planning and keeping up with healthy practices like proper hand washing. Undergoing a pre-travel wellness checkup at least 4-6 weeks before departure will help you prevent potential risks of traveler’s diarrhea, infectious diseases, malaria, fatigue, and more. These precautions will help you stay healthy while you’re away from home. Protecting yourself against illnesses and infections will enable you to enjoy an uneventful trip!
