Safe travels: Protecting your health while on holiday
People travel throughout the year, with many making plans several months ahead to make sure that they find the perfect accommodation and establish their daily itineraries so that they can visit all the landmarks they want to. However, given the excitement that intervenes before you have to go on holiday, there is one crucial thing that is usually disregarded: protecting your health. Different parts of the world are dealing with different health concerns, and being prepared for them means you won’t have to worry about spending most of your trip feeling ill and miserable. The health concerns you must be aware of when travelling range from the common cold and flu to potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
Since you’ll be in an entirely new environment, it’s essential to prepare before you leave home so that you can avoid trouble later on.
Vaccinations
Depending on the country or region you visit, you will have to get additional vaccinations in order to be protected from illnesses that are endemic in the area. Apart from that, you should also do your research about whether there are any outbreaks going on at the same time, and what you should do to protect yourself from them. If you discuss the situation with your healthcare providers and don’t receive the necessary immunisations, it can be considered a breach of their duty of care towards you. If you end up becoming ill as a result, you can file a compensation claim that ensures you get the maximum amount of remuneration depending on your case. Experienced solicitors are well-equipped to help you with your case, especially since compensation claims can sometimes be challenging to solve and require a wide range of proof.
Flu, Covid-19 and RSV immunisations are the standard, and even if you do contract any of these viruses during your trip, you can be certain that the illness will be much less severe. Babies, pregnant women and adults older than sixty-five are especially vulnerable and should always be vaccinated. Naturally, you should also get a vaccine shot for any disease that is common in the area you’re visiting. Just make sure to get the vaccines on time so that antibodies can form. Sometimes, you will need the immunisation several weeks or even months before travelling for it to be fully effective.
Standard precaution
The standard precautions that can prevent you from becoming ill on a daily basis also apply when you’re on holiday, so make sure you don’t forget about them. If you feel sick, stay at home to avoid putting others at risk and see a doctor if your symptoms start to become worse instead of improving. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and remember to wash your hands regularly. Regular soap is perfect for removing all types of germs, including bacteria and viruses. Avoid touching your face, as it facilitates the entrance of pathogens into your system.
The eyes, nose and mouth are gateways for infection to enter your body, so the simple act of not touching your face can make all the difference between becoming ill or not. Wearing a mask can reduce the spread of coming into contact with viruses or bacteria. It will also protect others, especially if you are more prone to infection and catch colds very easily. Remember to let the air in your hotel room by opening the windows to reduce the concentration of viral particles that may be in the air. If you have the option to use an air purifier, you should definitely do so.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration is common when you’re on the go, but you must avoid it in order to protect your health, maintain energy levels and ensure overall well-being. Lightheadedness, muscle cramps, tiredness and confusion can all occur if you don’t hydrate properly. Planes get significantly drier than what you’re typically used to, even if you don’t notice it right away. Drink throughout the flight and avoid both caffeine and alcohol since they can exacerbate the effects of dehydration even further. Pack some electrolytes as well, as you can lose them by sweating. Plain water will often not be enough to solve this issue, so you need the extra aid. If you plan to walk around a lot or go on a hike, make sure to bring a reusable water bottle along, ideally one that can maintain a constant temperature for several hours. You can also add your favourite fruit or some lemon if drinking plain water isn’t palatable to you.
Eating well
When you’re on holiday, you’re much more likely to resort to snacking instead of having good, regular, and filling meals. It is somewhat understandable for this to happen since you’ll have many things you want to see and do. Who has time to eat, right? However, it is imperative to make healthy choices regarding your meals since not eating well will leave you tired, moody, and weak, as well as hurt your immune system and make you less likely to fight infection. If you like snacking, you can always make your healthy treats to bring when you travel, as well as look for them in local grocery stores when you arrive.
Sushi popcorn flavoured with dried seaweed and togarashi spice mixture, chicharrónes, peanut butter, falafel, avocado bites, veg chips, hard boiled eggs, and cinnamon roll bites can cut down any cravings you might have for unhealthier foods. Make sure to watch your portion sizes, but remember that it’s perfectly fine to treat yourself to some rich, decadent dishes. You’re on holiday, after all.
Sleep tight
Just like food and hydration, sleeping well is one of the fundamentals that impact your general well-being. Being sleep-deprived can actually make you more prone to accidents as it influences your coordination, as well as causes you to become irritable and make poor decisions. These are not issues you want to deal with during your holiday. If you have battled insomnia on holiday before, you know how pesky it can be, but following the regular sleep hygiene rules can help tremendously. Make your sleeping environment as reminiscent as possible of the one you have back home, try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same hours and make sure you won’t be disturbed by bright lights or loud noises if you’re sensitive to external stimuli.
When you’re on holiday, all you’ll want to do is explore new areas and have fun, but to do this, you must remember to take care of yourself.
