With Ebola ravaging Africa, the Flu getting deadlier every year and countless other ailments that can be had by just tasting the water in a far off land, preventive health before traveling is very important.
Here are some tips to help you stay healthy before and while you travel next.
1. Visit a Travel Doctor
Believe it or not, there are doctors that specialize in travel. Ask your general practitioner if he can recommend you one. They will ask you where you’re going and are usually very knowledgeable about what diseases you should be inoculated for beforehand or provide you insight into ways to stay healthy while traveling. Here is a good vaccination guide that will tell you which vaccines are recommended or required before entering a country, definitely something to check out if your going to be visiting multiple locations like when on a cruise or tour.
2. Hydrate
Dehydration negatively affects your immune system greatly, and many people become unknowingly dehydrated while traveling, especially flying. Make sure to hydrate 24 hours before you travel, while you travel and even when you get to your destination.
3. Rest Up
Inadequate rest will also seriously depress your immune system. I know you might be anxious for your trip and that might keep you up, but really try and relax the night before heading out so you can be strong and ready to travel as you never know how delays or unexpected things might impact and elongate your trip! This is a very important tip.
4. Wash Your Hands!
This is the oldest one in the book! When traveling, you’re exposed to countless new people and new germs. You’re touching doors, shaking hands and breathing the air in a confined space that other people are coughing and sneezing in. Wash your hands as much as you can with soap for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Do you have any other tips for how to stay healthy while traveling? Share them in the comments below!
When in doubt, drink bottled water… unless you go to India where they have kids gathering old empty caps and bottles from the garbage, refilling, and super-gluing the caps back on so it seems like a brand new and sealed bottle. I’ve personally been to 35 countries so far and I have yet to get any vaccinations what-so-ever. I’ve heard mixed reviews both for and against such treatments. What’s your take on vaccinations?
I personally think they are scare tactics. For most countries you really don’t need any vaccines.
It’s shocking how cavalier some people are about vaccinations, and even more so towards people who don’t practice basic hygiene … great post!
It always amazes to see how people travel, they run into the airport bathroom and don’t wash up, they do the same in the lavatory in the airplane, don’t cover when they sneeze, don’t think of innoculations that they should get when going to an “at risk” area, or when it’s okay to be slightly concerned versus paranoid.
Great advices, for stay healthy while travelling. I have been travelling for almost 5 years now, and I cannot count how many times I have been sick. Because my experience is that if you fist get sick you become sick easily again. E-coli, malaria, parasites, are just some of the things the doctors have told me that I have had on my travels.
Also people should be a bit careful about what they eat on the street. I have been sick many times because I was not!