Traveling can be taxing on our bodies. In the US, people take an average of just 16.2 days off each year. You don't want to lose half your vacation to an illness. Being on the road doesn't exempt you from getting sick, especially when travel itself for it exposes you to a whole new range of bugs, parasites, and environments.
But with a bit of planning, research, and preparation, you can greatly improve your odds in the battle against foreign germs.
Prevention is better than cure. Here are some tips to avoid getting sick:
1. Drink bottled water
It should go without saying that you should avoid the local tap water.
The bacteria found in tap water around the world vary considerably. Your stomach may not have the right bacteria to protect you from becoming ill. The best approach here is to buy and drink bottled water only. Bottled water has been filtered sufficiently not to cause trouble even for weaker stomachs. Avoid even ice in your drinks.
You should always drink bottled water and double-check that the seal is intact on the bottle top too (a common scam is to sell bottles refilled with tap water).
2. Avoid food contamination
Basically anything that isn't cooked and immediately served to you piping hot is suspicious.
If you're tempted by raw produce, wash and peel it yourself, using bottled water.
By being preventative and taking Travelan before every meal, you can ensure you'll be safe from spending the entirety of your vacation in the bathroom. Travelan is an over the counter gluten-free supplement that is formulated to be high in antibodies that help maintain digestive health.
3. Stay active
Exercise to stay fit and healthy and ward off infections. Exercise improves your overall health and well-being and strengthens your immune system, which makes you less susceptible to illness.
Go on a jungle trek, go hiking into the countryside or up a mountain, swim in the sea, or go for a jog.
For workouts, choose one of several workout apps that offer bodyweight workouts. All you need is your hotel room, the fitness room, or outside in a nearby park. You can also use an app to track your diet while at home and on vacation.
4. Get vaccinated
There is one universal constant: If you can protect yourself, it is a good idea to do so. Nothing is better at protecting you from the risk of getting a disease than being vaccinated against it.
One month before you travel, vaccinate. It will also help make sure that you don't bring any severe diseases home to your social circle or community.
Get one-on-one personal advice from your local travel clinic, nurse specialist, or physician before you travel. The vaccines you need to get before traveling will depend on a few things, including: Where you plan to travel, your health, and the vaccinations you have already had.
Keep these things in your checklist to be prepared and you're good to go!
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
