We all love traveling out there carefree with no worries, but we need to be sure while we are in some unknown place. You make a lot of travel blunders in the beginning.
Missed buses, irresponsible behavior, cultural ignorance, and a slew of other minor mishaps have all contributed to the development of travel-savvy. Then, one day, you’ll find yourself gliding through airports and assimilating into different cultures like a fish to water.
Here is some health advice for female travelers, that might be useful while traveling through places.
KNOW YOUR ALLERGIES
Before you go on your trip, check the most recent pollen forecast to be sure you’re prepared. Examine the pollen count at various periods of the year to determine when it is at its lowest. It will make you feel better while you are there if you can schedule a trip during that period.
If you are unable to change your schedule, monitor the weather forecast and prepare your medications accordingly. If you have severe seasonal allergies that you believe will make your trip or vacation more difficult, try to go somewhere that will better accommodate your allergies.
Do check out this article for more detailed precautions to be taken.
ALWAYS CARRY SANITARY PRODUCTS
Make sure you’re up to date on your sanitary goods. Always be mindful of the items you feel comfortable utilizing throughout your period. Remember to bring them with you on your trip. To a certain extent, this can alleviate discomfort.
Here’s a quick rundown of sanitary items to have on hand while traveling.
- hygienic napkins
- Cups for menstruation
- Tampons
- A cloth that can be reused
- Period panties
KEEP YOUR MEDICATIONS HANDY
If you are suffering from any medical condition, always carry your regular medication and emergency medication with you. In case of any urgent situation, you can always have them handy. Here is a list of emergency drugs that you can carry with you. Please be aware of the allergies you have with particular drugs and consult with your physician regarding the same.
Adenosine-0.1 mg/Kg (Max dose: 6 mg) IV
Albuterol-MDI: 4–8 puffs q 20 min with spacer or through ETT
Neb: 2.5 mg (<20 Kg) and 5 mg (> 20 Kg) q 20 min
Continuous Neb: 0.5 mg/Kg/hr
Atropine-0.02 mg/Kg IV(may give ETT)
Dextrose-500 mg/Kg IV
Furosemide-0.5–1 mg/Kg IV
Insulin (regular)-0.05–0.1 Units/Kg bolus IV or SQ
0.05–0.1 Units/Kg/hr infusion.
SUGARY BEVERAGES SHOULD BE MINIMIZED
Sodas, fruit juices, and sweetened teas are the most common sources of added sugar. Unfortunately, multiple studies have found that sugar-sweetened beverages increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, even in persons who are not overweight.
Sugar-sweetened beverages are particularly detrimental to children since they can contribute not only to childhood obesity but also to adult-onset illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
You can always opt for healthier options like:-
- Water
- Sparkling water
- Unsweetened tea or coffee
- Fruit juices
GET ADEQUATE SLEEP
It is impossible to overestimate the value of getting adequate good sleep. Sleep deprivation can increase insulin resistance, affect appetite hormones, and lower physical and mental function. Make sure you’re not hungry or stuffed before going to bed. Avoid eating anything heavy or substantial within a couple of hours of going to bed. It’s possible that your discomfort will keep you awake.
Nicotine, coffee, and alcohol should all be avoided. Nicotine and caffeine’s stimulating effects take hours to wear off and can disrupt sleep quality. Even though alcohol makes you tired at first, it can disturb sleep later in the night.
Also, you might experience fatigue early while you are traveling and may not be able to make the most of your travel days. Hence always remember to fulfill your sleep time. You can also take a day off if you are deprived of your sleep. Traveling causes changes in eating choices, sleep patterns, activity levels, and stress levels, all of which interrupt your regular routine.
KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED
Drink at least 8 ounces of water per hour while traveling and flying, and avoid alcohol, which dehydrates your body. Water is used by the body to digest the other beverages we ingest. Increased water consumption may cause you to use the restroom more frequently, but consider it exercises. In the days preceding up to your trip, drink as much water as possible. Bring a refillable bottle with you on your vacation.
To keep healthy at home or on the road, increase your daily water consumption. Drinking two 8-ounce glasses of warm or room-temperature water when you wake up is one of the most crucial habits to develop. Drinking water first thing in the morning is a proven energy enhancer.
Jet lag is exacerbated by dehydration. Dry or chapped skin, increased wrinkles, dry eyes, thirst, exhaustion, decreased urine production, dry mouth, headache, constipation, dizziness, or lightheadedness are all signs of dehydration. Low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, dry skin, loss of skin elasticity, little or no urine, disorientation, and fever are all symptoms of severe dehydration.
AVOID SECONDHAND SMOKE
Non-smoking rooms are the default preference in several regions of the world unless you specifically request a smoking room. However, if you do not specifically request non-smoking accommodations, some establishments will assume you want a smoking room. Don’t take a chance with your life. Always specify a non-smoking accommodation when renting a hotel stay or a cabin on a cruise ship.
If you can’t avoid secondhand smoking in public settings, cover your mouth in smoky regions to avoid breathing it in. A filter mask, such as the N95 respirator mask, which has been found to filter out 95% of airborne particles2, is a convenient and lightweight way to avoid exposure.
Pay attention to your body. Don’t overwork yourself because it will deplete your body and make you more vulnerable to a COPD exacerbation. You avoid contracting germs, make sure to wash your hands properly and use hand sanitizer whenever feasible. On airplanes, cruise ships, and other forms of public transit, this is extremely crucial.
WASH YOUR HANDS
Routine behaviors such as shaking hands, handling food, touching doorknobs, using the restroom, touching your face, and talking on the phone, to mention a few, can spread germs and viruses from one person to another.
To properly wash your hands, run them under hot water and lather them with any kind of soap. Wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and beneath your fingernails by rubbing them together. Working from the wrist down, rinse and towel dry your hands.
If you’re traveling and don’t have access to soap or water, use a waterless, alcohol-based hand gel that contains at least 60% alcohol. When using an alcohol-based hand gel, make sure to apply it to the palm of your hand and rub it over all of your hands and fingers until they are completely dry. Hand gel in travel size can be bought in most stores and pharmacies, as well as at airport newsstands.
OVERCOME JET LAG
Prior to your journey, get plenty of rest. Jet lag is exacerbated by a lack of sleep at the outset. Before you go, gradually alter your routine. If you’re traveling east, consider going to bed an hour earlier each night for a few days before leaving. If you’re flying west, go to bed one hour later for several nights.
Jet lag can derail your best efforts to be healthy when traveling and might make it difficult to enjoy yourself. Use melatonin or chamomile tea to help you sleep on your travel and for the first few evenings after you arrive at your destination to minimize jet lag. To block out any sensory distractions, it is also recommended to use earplugs and an eye mask. She also advises not to use your phone, tablet, or laptop before going to bed.
Here are a few tips that can help you to handle your jetlag in a better way.
EXERCISE FOR RECREATION
When you walk through, it’s not just about getting there; it’s about seeing and experiencing everything you pass through. Walking is ideal if you’re the type of person who is simply curious about the world and how various people live.
You can visit tourist attractions, but you’ll also be able to take the locals’ shortcut to work, pass through garden allotments with spectacular views of the city, or discover a hidden track that only wild animals use. Walking can reveal things you didn’t realize you wanted to see, as well as the whole expanse of the planet.
HAVE YOUR BREAKFAST
Never leave your hotel empty stomach. Always remember to go with a sense of satiety. Especially when traveling, breakfast is the most crucial meal of the day. Instead of starting your day on an empty stomach, eat something healthy like fruit, cereal, or oatmeal before leaving the hotel.
When it comes to being healthy while traveling, it all comes down to making smart choices, which include choosing the correct dishes when dining out. Choose alternatives that include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables whenever available.
Making your own meals is another way to ensure that you eat healthy foods. Even if you don’t have access to a kitchen, you may stock up on fresh foods and prepare simple meals like salads and sandwiches. When you’re out and about, don’t forget to pick up some apples, oranges, bananas, or nuts to keep your energy levels up.
Remember this health advice whenever you are traveling. A healthy lifestyle and traveling can always go hand in hand if you observe yourself and bring the following changes within you. So get ready and pack your bags!
