Taking care of yourself on holiday can mean the difference between pure enjoyment and utter agony. So, here are five travel tips to ensure that you stay healthy and get the most out of your well-earned holiday.
1. Eat smartly
You might love sampling exotic foods but your stomach might not be as game. Eating overseas is not necessarily less safe than at home; it’s simply that your body isn’t used to ingesting the foreign foods and additives. When eating out, use common sense; choose restaurants and avoid those that appear a bit iffy. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how fresh the food is and where it is from. Your final defence are your senses – when the food arrives, smell it and check its colouring before you begin chowing down.
Lastly, ensure you’re receiving proper nutrition while travelling. It’s tempting to indulge while you’re on holiday, but also remember to eat lots of wholefoods, including grains, lean meats and vegetables. A healthy diet can help to boost your focus and you’ll have more energy to see the sights.
2. Hydrate safely
When it comes to drinking water overseas, nothing can run you down faster than drinking contaminated water. Firstly, get to know whether your destination is a ‘water-risk zone’. Places such as Bali, Mexico, India and most of Africa are renowned for their unsafe tap water. When drinking tap water isn’t possible, opt for bottled water with tamper-proof lids – but always check the seal. Use bottled water to bursh your teeth where necessary.
3. Stay fit
If you’re sitting for long periods in planes, trains, buses, boats or cars, be mindful of taking the time to get the blood pumping again. Travelling usually means you’re active all day in all sorts of weather; and if you’re not adequately fit, this can be draining. Staying fit while travelling can mean taking a stroll or jog through the next city, town or country, or doing some stretches in your hotel room to loosen your back, neck and limbs.
4. Rest easy
It’s important to stay fit, but it’s equally important to know when it’s time to rest. Travelling can wear you out, and if you don’t take care of yourself you can become susceptible to colds and viruses. Sleep rejuvenates your mind and allows your body to recover from the strain of travel. Make sure you let your body work its magic by getting enough sleep.
Sleep in a foreign environment can be tricky, but minimising ‘sleep distractions’ can help. Cover the TV light or the digital clock, and wear earplugs to block out street noise. If you’re going to have a big night out, an afternoon nap after sightseeing can do wonders.
5. Be meticulous with hygiene
Whether you’re in and out of airports, public transport, tourist sites and restaurants, remember to be vigilant about hygeine; viruses spread easily in highly populated public places. Carry sanitising wipes or gel in your bag to use before and after meals, or after begin in contact with publicly used equipment, such as the handrails on trains. In public bathrooms, don’t sit directly on the toilet seat or place your bags on the ground; try to stand away from the toilet when you flush, and wash your hands for a full 15 seconds afterwards.
If you’re more worried about the health of your wallet, then these five money travel tips for travelling might be just what you need.
Read more at Independent Traveller.
