Trips, be it for personal or professional reasons, are always a rollercoaster of unusual yet thrilling experiences. As exciting as that can be, such drastic changes in your daily life can jeopardize your body's natural immune system and pose a threat to various health issues. You don't want a nasty fever or diarrhea to ruin your travel plans. So we are here to share some really handy tips to keep in mind while planning your next trip to ensure you stay as healthy as possible during and after the trip.
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Consult your physician: Consult your physician before going on a trip to know what kind of medicines you should take with you or if you need to take a vaccination against any tropical disease. This will depend on quite a few factors like the kind of destination you are visiting, the type of your body, and your personal medical history. You can also take a flu shot to boost your immunity. And make sure to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the journey.
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Get enough sleep: Lack of proper sleep is one of the major reasons people fall sick during trips. So make sure you are getting enough sleep midst of all the buzz and excitement to keep up the energy. Make sure to plan your travel itinerary carefully so it will not be too much to handle for your body. Also, get plenty of sleep before embarking on a long flight journey or train ride.
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Fight jet lag: One of the major challenges a body faces during international trips is to get rid of jet lag and adjust to a different timezone. Jet lag can throw a wrench to your meticulously arranged travel plans if you are not taking proper measures to fight it. Start to adjust your body clock slowly to the timezone of the place you are visiting from a few days prior to the trip if possible. Take melatonin supplements with you to help cope with jet lag better. Also, try to sleep as much as you can during the flight. You can use eye masks and earplugs to avoid disturbances. After landing, it may be really tempting to sleep the day away in your cozy hotel room. But try to resist that urge and walk around a bit to soak in the sunlight. It will be helpful for your body to cope with the difference of timezones.
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Maintain balanced eating: It's also a really huge challenge to maintain a healthy diet during trips because a very important part of a trip is to indulge in all kinds of local delicacies. Often that kind of food adventure results in gaining a bit of weight, and in worse cases, an upset stomach. So it's important you don't go overboard and strike a balance between satisfying your cravings and maintaining your health. Don't indulge in greasy foods too much. Check your sweet intake as well to not gain too much weight. Include dishes in your order with vegetables. Steer clear of the food items kept in the open at stalls. Only eat food which is thoroughly cooked and served fresh. Carry some healthy treats like fresh fruits, nuts, and fruit juice with you everywhere and snack on them from time to time to keep you energized. Beware of the food you may be allergic to.
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Minimize consumption of caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol stimulate the body and create trouble to fall asleep. So try to tamp down the temptation of drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, especially close to bedtime.
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Drink water: The body gets easily dehydrated during trips. So make sure you drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Keep a bottle of water with you all the time and drink from time to time. Also, eat fruits that contain water.
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Wash your hands and wear masks: To prevent the risk of catching infection as much as possible, make it a habit to wash your hands thoroughly every time before you eat. Carry hand sanitizer with you so you don't need to rely on the availability of soap and water at a certain place. Also, keep yourself masked up all the time in public places to avoid catching any virus.
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Carry first-aid kit: Aside from your regular medicines, carry a first-aid kit with you on trips so you are not caught completely off-guard in case of medical emergencies. That kit should contain medicines for pain relief, fever, diarrhea and motion sickness, etc. Also, disinfectants, antibiotics,insect-repellent, and band-aids are also necessary items to carry in a first aid kit.
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Do exercise: It may not be always possible for you to stick to your regular routine of exercise during the duration of the trip, but try to move around your body as much as you can to stay fit and healthy. If hitting the gym isn't an option, then just do some light stretching or yoga. A jogging or cycling session in the morning or evening will also be helpful and you will be rewarded with nature sightseeing as well as a bonus. Light exercise will help you to keep your body in shape and also will make you feel more energized.
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Control anxiety: If you are one of those people who get really anxious during flights, try meditation to calm yourself. Inhale and exhale slowly but deeply. Also, try to listen to some calming music to relax.
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Use sunscreen: Lazing around on a beach soaking in sunlight sounds like an amazing idea for a trip, but be careful about sunburns. Don't let the harsh UV rays of the sun hurt your tender skin and always wear at least an spf30 sunscreen.
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Probiotics: Healthy bacteria of probiotics will be helpful for you to reduce gas and thus lessen the chances of suffering from diarrhea.