When you’ve spent what could be the better part of a year planning your trip, the last thing you want is to spend the whole time in your hotel room, sick and wishing you’d never left home. It sounds dramatic, but a lot of backpackers and people on vacation have their dream trips ruined or cut short because they get sick or hurt while they’re abroad. Getting sick is a normal part of life. Long-term travel and being in new places all the time make you even more likely to get sick. The best way to lessen the chances of this happening is to stop it from happening. So, in this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to stay healthy while travelling.
First Of All, Don’t Forget To Get Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is something that all travellers should buy, but there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The key is to stay informed. The best thing you can do to figure out which travel insurance company is best for your upcoming trip is to learn about the diseases travellers get there.
Knowing this makes it easier to choose an insurance policy that will cover you for any and all possible problems. This way, you can fully enjoy your vacation, knowing that if you get sick, you’ll get the best medical care possible.
Stay Hydrated
When you’re travelling, especially when you’re flying, you must stay hydrated at all times. Anyone can get sick from the stale air on a plane, so to get your trip off to a healthy start, drink a lot while you’re in the air and for the rest of your trip. You can also eat fruits and salads to increase the amount of water you take in. Be careful with salad that has been washed in the local water, though.
Always Wash Your Hands
We all know how important it is to wash our hands often, but when we travel, this isn’t always possible. There will be germy tray tables on the plane, handles covered in bacteria at your hostel, dirty money, toilets that aren’t very clean, and even dirty ATM keypads. Make sure you wash your hands before you eat and after you handle money. If you can’t do that, carry a small hand sanitizer in your pocket.
Be Wary Of Cans
It’s crazy how many bacteria and germs can live and grow on the top of a can, which you then touch with your mouth. If you have to drink from a can, clean it as much as you can before drinking.
Make Sure You Relax And Get Enough Rest
There’s no way around the fact that travelling means long, busy days and just as busy nights. Keeping this in mind, it’s important that you get as much rest and relaxation as you can. Just like when we work too hard at home, when we work too hard at work we tend to feel burned out, sluggish, and completely exhausted. This makes us more likely to get sick. Changing time zones and living in different places and climates can be hard on your body. If you don’t want to get sick while travelling, make sure you get enough rest.
Make Time To Exercise
Working out always helps your body get used to a new environment by making it stronger. I work out right after I wake up in the morning. You probably have a lot going on during the day, and when you get back to your hotel room, you’ll be too tired to do much. But the best thing you can do is combine your activities with exercise. Hiking, trekking, or just walking everywhere is a great way to do this. That’s a great way to stay fit and get to know the city you’re visiting at the same time. Putting together fun travel workouts can also be a good way to start.
Make Your Own Meals
You probably don’t go far from home just to eat your own food, but if you’re going to be gone for a long time, this is something you should definitely think about. Most of the time, it’s not good for your stomach to eat out too often. Instead, try eating more fresh fruits and vegetables or cooking a popular local dish yourself. You can find a lot of recipes online.
Never Eat Until 100% Full
I know that when you travel abroad, you might fall in love with the local food, but you should be careful when trying new foods. This is one of the best travel tips for staying healthy. Hara Hachi Bu is a Japanese idea that means you should only eat until you’re 80% full. This means that your stomach won’t need extra energy to digest all the food you ate, and you’ll have enough strength to continue your long day of exploring your new location. Split up your meals so that you eat more often, but make sure that none of the meals you eat makes you feel full. Try it, and you’ll be glad you did.
Protect The Skin
Don’t forget to think about the weather in the area you’re going to and pack accordingly. Moisturize often, use sunscreen when you need to, and drink plenty of water. Check out my ultimate guide to healthy skin while travelling if you want to learn more.
Dealing With Food Allergies in a Foreign Land
When it comes to food allergies, you can never be too careful. However, this can be hard to do if you don’t speak the same language as the other person. But don’t give up hope; there is a way out. If you have a food allergy, you should get a card that says so in both English and the local language before you go. You can also talk to the staff at your hotel before deciding where to eat. Most of the time, they will know a few good restaurants where people with food allergies are always welcome.
