Health and Comfort Tips for Travelers
Traveling, while enriching and fun to do, can also be a stressful experience. Flights or road trips where you have to sit for long periods can cause body strain. Likewise, moving from one itinerary to the next on your trip can result in lack of sleep and fatigue.
You can, however, lessen the risks of illness or discomfort if you observe a few things when you’re traveling. Don’t miss these tips:
Pack Smartly When Traveling
Dragging heavy luggage or carrying a fully packed backpack might result in painful muscle and joint strain. To avoid this, pack smartly while traveling and only bring items you will really have a good use for a while on your trip.
While checking out sites and attractions, keep your bag light as well and only pack necessities like your ID, money, and water bottle. A study conducted from 2010 to 2014 showed that people who suffer from lower back pain. commonly carry a heavy bag.
Get Enough Rest and Sleep
Traveling causes a common sleep disorder known as jet lag, a temporary imbalance in the body clock, especially for transatlantic flights. To prevent or manage jet lag, avoid snacking on chocolates or drinking caffeine or alcohol until your body gets settled in the new time zone. Use sleeping aids as well like an eye mask or earplugs when it’s hard to get a decent shuteye.
After a long walk with your tour group, listen to the signals from your body. You might need to rest for an hour or two before heading to your next scheduled activity to recover energy and body strength.
Experts say that poor sleep can aggravate physical stress and lower the immune system, which means you won’t be able to enjoy your trip if you suddenly come down with a cold.
Stretch Every Morning
If your day is packed with more walking and adventure, prepare your body by doing stretches every morning before joining your group. If possible, also do stretches before bedtime to help get a good night’s sleep.
What are the benefits of stretching?
- Better blood circulation
- Improved body flexibility and reduced muscle tension
- Increased levels of energy
Never Skip Breakfast and Hydrate Frequently
Always start your day right by eating breakfast. It will give your body the energy needed to make it through a packed schedule on your trip. Traveling is actually a good time for you to try local fruits and vegetables available in the market, which might taste different from what you’re used to.
Drink water regularly as you will need to hydrate while traveling. Some travelers, however, are wary of drinking from the tap because of water-borne diseases that can lead to stomach problems and other illnesses so be sure to check first before having a glass. If you can’t purchase bottled waters, pack purification tablets, such as Aquatabs that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends.
Dress For Comfort
Pick out clothes that will give you the freedom to move about when traveling. Dress appropriately for the weather in your destination, including the type of shoes to wear. You can use podiatrist-designed insoles for additional foot comfort especially during those days where you walk a lot. If the air conditioning on your plane is too cold for comfort, you might need to bring a pashmina or shawl during your flight.
Bring Hand Sanitizers
Sometimes, you won’t have access to soap and water so it’s best to have a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag to cleanse your hands before eating. The CDC, however, reminds that hand sanitizers won’t be effective if used on visible dirt or grease. You will need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water in this case.
Apply Sunscreen
No doubt, you will be outdoors a lot when you’re traveling, so always apply sunscreen to protect your skin. Use one that has a minimum of SPF 30 and reapply at least every two hours. Increase the SPF or reapplication if you’re going to the beach.
Visit a Doctor Before Traveling
If you’re going to an unfamiliar place, a visit to a doctor might be necessary. Apart from a physical check-up, you might also need vaccinations and medications.
Doctors might also ask about your age, medical history, and the activities you plan on doing on your trip to make good assessments and recommendations. In some cases, you might also have to consider purchasing a medical travel insurance or upgrade your existing insurance for your peace of mind.
