You’ve finally reached your destination and all you want to do is visit as many attractions as possible and enjoy your trip to the fullest. But wait, let’s slow down for a minute! When you’re on the go, you’re exposed to a variety of new germs and health hazards. To stay in good shape on your vacation and all to follow, you should not neglect certain healthy habits that prove useful anywhere you go.
We’ve got you covered. Here comes a list of healthy habits that every traveler should follow to the best of their ability. If you do, you’re almost guaranteed to have a blast and make the most of your trip!
From frequent handwashing and quality sleep to knowing what medicines to pack and what to drink on your trip, there are several essential habits travelers should try to follow to make the most out of their escapades. Have you learned anything new today? Apply the knowledge on your next adventure!
Stay Hydrated
Water, water, and more water! Staying hydrated is crucial. If you’re moving around a lot, especially in warmer climates, you’ll have to replace lost fluids frequently. This can be a major issue for some travelers as drinking water is not always as readily available as you would think.
Water keeps your energy levels up, supports your immune system, and makes you feel better.
Whenever you leave your room to set off on a new adventure, make sure you bring water with you. Are you planning on drinking two bottles throughout the day? Bring four instead, you’ll thank us later!
Get Enough Sleep
I know, I know. You must be excited to leave your room early in the morning and see as much as possible before the sun sets. But adding too much to your itinerary can wear you down quickly. How will you enjoy the rest of your vacation if you’re all sore and sluggish on the second day of your trip?
Get your eight hours of sleep and you’ll wake up energetic and ready to take on any challenges. Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the afternoon to improve the quality of sleep.
Stay Active
Sure, sleep is important, but so is regular exercise. Don’t turn your vacation into an excuse to lie around all day and do nothing productive for your body.
After you’ve got sufficient rest, make sure to get your daily dose of physical activity. If you’re spending the majority of your time in one place – such as a hotel or a resort – try booking some tours or going on a stroll. You could also take a swim or check if the place you’re staying at comes equipped with a gym.
Wash Your Hands Often
As a rule of thumb, you should wash your hands way more often than you deem necessary. You’ll come in contact with many germs, so make sure you destroy them by keeping your hands clean, especially before eating or touching your face. You can also use hand sanitizer or wet wipes when water isn’t available.
Washing your hands regularly can prevent around 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses and around 20% of respiratory infections such as colds and flu, CDC reports.
Pro tip: Don’t touch dirty door handles and doorknobs with your bare hands. Use a piece of cloth or a tissue instead.
Don’t Drink Tap Water
Remember how we told you to drink plenty of water on your trip? Make sure it’s not tap water!
Never ever drink tap water even if people tell you it’s safe. It may be safe for them because their immune system is used to the bacteria present in the water. In your case, it could lead to a serious waterborne illness that will end your trip prematurely.
Stick to bottled water and stay away from ice – it’s typically made from tap water.
Bring Essential Medicines With You
We don’t want to scare you, but it’s better to be ready than sorry.
Pack pain relievers such as ibuprofen to counter headaches and body pain. Don’t forget diarrhea medicine and antihistamines if you suffer from allergies. You would also do well to drop some motion sickness medicine in your first-aid kit.
On top of medicines, you can bring some bandages and wound disinfectant.
Protect Your Skin From The Sun
Whether you’re sunbathing or just sightseeing under the scorching sun, you should practice safe sun habits and protect your skin from UV rays. Sunburns not only contribute to premature aging and permanent damage to your skin, but they also contribute to the development of skin cancer.
To stay on the safe side, visit indoor attractions during peak hours and reapply a high-SPF sunscreen regularly when out and about exploring the bustling streets or walking down the beach.
Did you know that the skin is the largest organ in your body?
Get Vaccinated
Depending on your destination, it may be wise for you to get vaccinated for certain infectious diseases. While they might have already been eliminated in your place, they could be quite common in the place you’re traveling to. Some common travel vaccines include those for Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, typhoid, cholera, and Japanese encephalitis.
Pro tip: Talk to a health expert to get recommendations on the vaccines you should get before your travels.
Once you get your shot, your body needs time to build immunity. Sometimes, multiple shots are required to achieve the desired result. For those reasons, you are advised to get vaccinated at least 4-6 weeks before your trip.
Make Plans
Sometimes, being spontaneous is way too fun to ignore. Other times, a lack of plans could land you in trouble.
Planning meals helps you stay full and energetic. Planning how you’ll get from one point to another saves you time and money. And planning which attractions to see the next day ensures efficiency and productivity!
Practice Food Safety
Avoid eating raw, cut-up foods like veggies and fruits. Don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing wrong with fruits and vegetables per se. But the way they are prepared may expose them to dangerous bacteria. It’s best if you get whole foods and then peel or wash them yourself before eating them.
For similar reasons, you should avoid eating fresh salads. You never know if they were prepared hygienically or not. Undercooked eggs and meat are also a big no-no.
When it comes to buffets and similar setups, be cautious around cooked food that has been sitting at room temperature for a long time.
Pack Healthy Snacks
Dried fruits and nuts are a traveler’s must-have snack. They are rich in essential nutrients and easy to pack. They also don’t spoil easily and don’t occupy much space.
If your diet during the trip will mostly rely on processed foods, consider packing some vitamins and probiotics supplements to support your immune system and counter inflammation.
Since you’re on vacation, we’ll let you enjoy a scoop of ice cream. But know your limits! Try sticking to quality proteins and high-fiber carbs throughout the day to stay full and healthy.