Getting sick while traveling puts a huge damper on your planned activities. It isn’t always possible to avoid getting sick while on vacation, but there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of catching an illness or feeling unwell.
Watch What You Eat
A big part of staying healthy while on vacation is being carefully of the food and beverages you consume. Though you’re probably excited to try out the local cuisine, not all food options will suit your stomach or your immune system. Try not to overindulge in greasy, fried foods, as you may find yourself dealing with a stomach ache as you explore the new city you’re visiting. It is also important to manage your alcohol intake. A general rule of thumb is to consume a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have. This will allow you to stay hydrated and avoid a nasty hangover in the morning, should you party your heart out the night before!
Other dining tips to keep in mind are:
- Monitoring Raw Foods – If any raw items, such as sushi or crudo, smell a bit too fishy or look off in color, do not consume them. Always check the reviews of a restaurant before you visit to see if other guests have ever had trouble with the seafood quality.
- Informing Staff of Allergies – Any food allergies must be reported to restaurant staff ahead of your dining experience to avoid exposure or reactions.
As long as you are cautious about what you eat and where you eat, you’re one step closer to having an enjoyable, healthy vacation!
Rest Up
It can be tempting to stay up all night while you’re traveling so you can make the most of your vacation, but this isn’t advised. Poor sleep has an adverse effect on your immune system and can make it difficult to fight off or recover from an illness. Lack of sleep also affects your mood and energy. If you’ve planned long hikes or extended bouts of walking for the day, you may find yourself utterly exhausted, which can interfere with your carefully planned travel itinerary.
The average person should aim for about 7-9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you can:
- Take a sleeping aid;
- Avoid caffeine 10 hours before bed;
- Drink a warm beverage (non-caffeinated!);
- Go to sleep at the same time each night;
- Avoid for phone for 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed;
- Meditate;
- Read a book to wind down and relax.
Making an active effort to get as much rest as possible is the best way to ensure you aren’t suffering from the plethora of issues multiple restless nights can conjure.
Reinforce Your Immune System
There are also a few ways you can add a coat of armor to your immune system so you’re extra prepared to deal with any virus, illness, or health issue that may present itself during your travels.
A crucial step is getting the proper vaccines! The flu vaccine can be administered once per year. If you’re traveling during flu season, which is considered to be October to May, this is especially important. To travel to certain countries, you must also have particular vaccines to not only ward off the spread of disease, but to comply with local laws and requirements. Receive your vaccine well ahead of your trip so you’re prepared to travel and so you don’t have to manage any side effects (such as headache or muscle soreness) during your vacation.
You can also reinforce your immune system by taking supplements. Vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B-complex, iron, and magnesium are all fantastic supplements to take to make sure your immune system is fully equipped to handle anything your travels throw at it. Always consult with your doctor before taking any supplements ahead of your vacation.
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