We have all been there at some point: you hop on a plane or bus, leave all worries at home, and set out to conquer the world for at least a few days – only to come down with a cold, virus, or a nasty case of indigestion. Holidays and business trips are often a time when our vigor goes to shambles, and though most people blame these health glitches on stress, heavily spiced local cuisine, and climate shuttling, it is not always the case. Pull out all illness stops on your next trip by following this travel checklist.
1. Pack with health in mind
Before heading out for a trip, pack a few essential medical supplies, just to stay on the safe and pain-free side. Here is a list of items which you must not fail to include in your first aid kit:
- Lip balm and sunscreen (ideally waterproof, broad-spectrum, with at least 30 SPF);
- Band aids, gauze, bandages, surgical tape, and steri-strips;
- Wet wipes, tissues, antibacterial hand gel, and anesthetic spray;
- Tweezers, thermometer, and tiny scissors;
- Insect repellents (preferably with DEET);
- Prescription medications, anti-diarrhea pills, and digestive tonics;
- Over-the-counter antihistamins, analgetics, and painkillers;
- Vitamin supplements and probiotics (check reliable product reviews before purchase).
2. Avoid fat, fried, and heavily spiced food
Tasting local delicacies is an essential part of every trip, but not every exotic snack you can buy upon arrival at your destination is exactly good for your tummy. When travelling to regions with cuisine heavily centered on zesty spices, fried food, and fermented dairy, you should be very careful with your meal selection to avoid diarrhea, indigestion, and stomach cramps.
3. Do not skip your workouts on the go
Vacations and business trips are an excellent excuse to drop a few trainings from your weekly agenda, but shying away from your workouts may do your body more harm than good. Before departing for the trip, check available fitness facilities at your destination and/or select leisure activities such as biking, diving, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, walking, vacation workouts, etc. which you will be able to engage in during your stay in view of preserving both your shape and good health.
4. Watch out for the water
Upon arriving at the hotel, inquire about tap water safety and if possible, consider switching to sealed bottled H2O for the duration of your trip. Water contamination is one of the most common causes of trip illnesses, so you should do your research well before throwing down a glass of H2O. Even if you see locals drinking tap water without hesitation, this still does not mean that your unaccustomed stomach will agree with it.
5. Dry food should not be a pick-me-up
If you plan to explore off-road trails, be sure to bring along your own food and water. Still, dry and canned food should not push fresh or cooked ingredients off your menu overnight: if eaten to excess or for long periods of time, non-perishable staples can slow down digestion and cause constipation. For your health’s sake, add fresh fruit and veggies to your trip diet, as the fiber, minerals, and vitamins found in these will help keep your gut happy and your engines humming.
6. Hygiene first, please!
Even the healthiest of foods can upset your stomach if prepared and/or served in unhygienic conditions. For this reason, store your food in air-tight containers before departure, wash your hands properly before eating, and avoid eating the offerings at street stalls and grimy-looking diners. Food prep sanitary considerations are important both at home and on the fly: however delicious local food may look, your health and safety should always come first.
Safety and good health when travelling are the prerequisites for holiday enjoyment. Follow this travel checklist, and your travels will always be a time of fun and comfort, no matter where the road may take you. Bon voyage!
If you have any more tips, leave them in the comments section below. Also, if you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with your friends and family. After all, sharing is caring!
Author: Oscar Waterworth
Oscar Waterworth is a travel blogger from Sydney, Australia. He loves road tripping through the Land Down Under, writing on various topics and playing games with his kids. Oscar is a contributor to High Style Life blog and if you would like to see more of Oscar’s posts, you can follow him on Twitter.
