Monday, July 25, 2016

6 Tips: How to avoid getting sick while traveling

Getting sick sucks. Somehow, I've been lucky and don't get sick often while on the road. Some tips I have are common sense but we often forget while we're busy jet setting and traveling. But of course, if I neglect all of these rules, I get sick and it really sucks especially when you want to be out and about.

Montreaux, Switzerland. May 2016.

1) Drink bottled water or boil the water.
Even if the water from the tap is safe to drink. It mostly means that local residents are able to drink the water. Visitors might not be used to compounds in the water and should take precautions to avoid getting ill from drinking the tap water. My personal tip: start with bottled water. Slowly introduce tap water (that is already mandated as safe to drink) with a few sips here and there and if you feel fine, try drinking a glass and see how you feel a few hours later.

2) Stay hydrated. 
I'm guilty of neglecting this rule and end up dehydrated in places where the air is particularly dry. The best way to avoid this is to bring a bottle of water with you when you leave your accommodation or purchase a bottle of water as soon as you leave for the day.

3) Get active.
I always try to walk a lot when I'm traveling because that is the best way to see a new place. A pair of good walking shoes is a packing essential. Some of my best memories is wandering the streets of Amsterdam, Berlin, Bali, Barcelona, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, London, Vienna, Prague, Stockholm, and Zurich. This is also a surefire way to get your exercise in while exploring and save on transportation costs. If your accommodation has a gym or extra empty space, I also like to get at least a couple gym hours in for extra sweat sessions if I'm traveling for a certain period of time. Alternatively, you can also sign up for yoga classes, dance classes, rent a bike, go skiing, hiking, etc.

4) Take a multivitamin.
I always pack a multivitamin in my medicine kit when traveling. I particularly like the seltzer tablets that you dissolve in water and drink because its extra hydration and vitamins. This is really good to drink prior to taking a long-haul flight for an immunity boost.

5) A rest day. 
As much as we like to keep ourselves out and about while traveling, your body can get exhausted and it is wise to allocate a day of rest. A day at the pool, beach, people watching at a cafe, leisurely lunch/dinner, reading a book at a library, schedule a massage at the spa, etc. If you have been traveling for business, this is a great way to see the city outside of the conference room but not tire yourself out. If you are traveling for leisure but packed a lot of sightseeing in, slow down and remember that YOU'RE ON VACATION! I always feel great after a rest day because I get enough sleep, recharge my energy levels, and don't feel so stressed. Its ok that you don't see everything. If a location has a lot to see, vow to return another trip and don't stress about it.

6) Bring your own medicine kit. 
Replenish and stock it with the essentials: Cold/Flu medicine, Antacid, Ibuprofen, Imodium, Bandages, and whatever else you need. You know the kinds of medicine that works for you. When you travel to a new country, you may not know if they stock your medicine or that country may have different regulations on the strength or dosage. And then if there's a language barrier, if you are sick and stressed, you may not have the clarity to be able to describe how you're feeling in another language.

Fresh Watermelon juice. Singapore, July 2016. 

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