Traveling is one of life’s most coveted leisure’s. Being able to pack up your bags, book a flight, and leave everything behind for a little while is something everyone looks forward to. What we don’t look forward to, however, is contracting an illness during the trip. Whether it’s the common cold or an illness exclusive to a foreign country, becoming ill can throw a huge wrench into your plans.
That said, it falls to you to protect yourself as you hit the trails or soar the sky. If this is your first time traveling, you may not know what to do to prepare yourself. Lucky for you, we’ve done most of the research and have compiled all the most relevant information you need to keep yourself safe. In this post, we’ll be providing you with tips to help keep you healthy while traveling.
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See Your Doctor First
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In an effort to plan a smooth vacation before jet-setting off, you need to get a checkup from your primary physician first. While you should always go to the doctor before any kind of travel, it’s especially important if you plan on flying to a foreign country. Make sure to tell them exactly where you’re going, so they can give you the proper advice and administer the right vaccinations.
Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
If you want your body to fight off bacteria more efficiently, then it’s essential that you switch up your diet. A healthy and whole foods diet composed of fruit, vegetables and grains can give your immune system the boost it needs to ward off viruses and diseases. On top of that, eating a healthier diet is a surefire way to feel better overall. Below is a list of the benefits that comes with incorporating a healthy diet:
- Bones can become stronger
- Help you maintain your eye health
- Can digest food better
- Maintaining energy levels
- Heart health
- Regulate weight gain
A great way to find balance is to eat a Mediterranean diet or a Paleozoic diet. Both provide a good amount of meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains.
Exercise as Much as You Can
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A balanced diet can certainly help, but it must also be paired with a good amount of exercise to see any real results. But with all the sightseeing and exploring you’re most likely going to do, then you shouldn’t worry about not getting enough exercise. Walking is the easiest and most common form of exercise you can do. Everyone needs to walk around for at least 30 minutes a day, which is easy to accomplish as you tour the highlights. But walking isn’t all you can do; you can exercise in your hotel as well. Once you’ve relaxed from all that exploring, why not hit the hotel gym? It’s free to use and they typically have every type of equipment you can imagine.
Invest in Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a special type of policy that people purchase to protect their assets during a trip. This is used to circumvent the issue of losing your luggage or having it stolen. However, travel insurance can also be used to reimburse you if you sustain an injury or come down with an illness. Paying off medical bills overseas can put a huge strain on your finances as the currency is different.
Depending on the conversion rates, you can spend almost double what the bill is worth in your currency. Travel insurance can reimburse you on what you spent, though it’s worth mentioning that what you get back depends on the stipulations. On another note, travel insurance can also cover you if you need to cancel your plans. But not every company offers this service for a variety of reasons. They can’t have people paying for their tickets and then suddenly claiming they canceled for a full refund. If the company you go to does allow you to cancel with reimbursement, you must provide them with a valid reason and evidence. As for paying for this coverage, you can expect to pay somewhere between five to six percent worth of the total cost of the trip.
Utilize a Student Credit Card
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If you’re a student, you may not have the appropriate finances, there are other options. One way you can get around the cost is to take out a credit card. Credit cards are external lines of credit that you can use to finance whatever you need or want. But if this is your first time applying for one, you’ll want to know what you’re getting into. Be sure to review a guide that narrows down everything you need to know about taking out your first credit card. Once you’re done studying, you can see the best options here to help with your decision.
Stay Hydrated
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but you must stay hydrated at all times. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the threat remains. However, it’s not just COVID-19 that’s lingering in the air; you also must worry about the flu, RSV, and chickenpox. If you’re going to a foreign country, you must research to see if there’s a wave of its native illness, like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Drinking enough fluids, namely water, can protect your body from these types of illnesses. In addition, it also helps you recover faster should you somehow contract said illness.
Get the Proper Vaccinations
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You’re legally not allowed to visit the country in question without showcasing the right vaccinations. Let’s say you’re headed to Japan in a few weeks. You would need to acquire the Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Japanese encephalitis is a very dangerous disease that causes swelling in the brain. Sounds horrific, right? Well, it gets even worse as it’s brought on by mosquitoes. In fact, you’ll come to realize that most of these illnesses are caused by mosquito bites. Either way, always make sure to thoroughly research the area you’re headed to, so you know what vaccinations you need and when it’s a safe time to travel.
