Travel Smart: Staying Healthy While Abroad

Staying healthy while you are traveling can be a challenge, especially if you are in a foreign country. No one wants to get sick on their vacation, but being sick thousands of miles away from home and family can be even more devastating. Playing it safe can mean the difference between a good trip and a bad one.

First, consider where you will be going. Is the climate there greatly different than you are used to? What about altitude? What are the local dishes like? If you have any food allergies at all, you might want to do some research and find out the specific ingredients in many of the meals that you will likely encounter and then stick to them once you arrive at your destination. Make sure that you are aware of any potential health hazards- you can check for health alerts by calling your travel agent.

Make sure that you are at your best before you leave- get plenty of fluids, plenty of rest and try to minimize stress if you can. If you do not already, consider taking a multivitamin for additional nutritional support of your immune system. It might even be a good idea to go for a pre-vacation physical as well, just to be on the safe side. But only you know your body and your limits, so keep vigilant for the things that usually trigger your illnesses.

If you are unsure about the safety of the food or drink in a local eatery, do not eat there, it is simple as that. Food poisoning is bad enough, having it while surrounded by unfamiliar people is a nightmare. Eat simple, freshly prepared meals in restaurants that appear clean and well kept. Try to avoid street vendor foods and always try to stick with bottled water that you open yourself.

Along with good food and safe drinking water, adequate rest is very important. Although it might seem tempting to try to party every night or see every thing there is to see each day, allowing your body to become exhausted puts you at an increased risk of becoming ill. Part of staying healthy, both home and abroad is staying well rested. Schedule breaks in your sight seeing, and aim to come home before the wee hours of the morning. Remember you are in a different time zone than what you are used to, so you will feel more tired, far sooner than you normally would. That is normal, so you must adjust to allow your body time to "catch up" with you.

Preparing to travel to some countries might include an immunization or two for your own safety- if they are deemed necessary, then suck it up and get them. Would you rather get a shot or two now or be sick while abroad later?