Traveling is an exciting and eye-opening experience, and one that you don’t want interrupted by illness. Whether you are going on a week-long vacation or a year-long backpacking adventure, you’ll want to head out with some basic knowledge of how to stay healthy. Making little tweaks to your daily routine while traveling can keep you feeling energized and help you avoid illness.
Follow these recommendations to help ensure a happy and healthy travel experience for the whole family.
Do Restaurant Research
Depending on where you are traveling, food carts and hole-in-the-wall eateries might be abundant and quite tempting. However, these establishments are often where you are most likely to come in contact with an unknown or unfamiliar microorganism as food preparation techniques may not be up to par.
Do your research ahead of time and ask trusted locals (the staff at your hotel, for example) which food vendors are safest. If you want to play it super safe, you might consider skipping these types of establishments altogether.
On a similar note, when cooking while traveling, it’s safest to choose fruits and vegetables that you can peel and wash yourself. You can also disinfect produce with a safe and natural solution of 1 cup of vinegar to 2 cups of water.
Practice Proper Hygiene
Traveling is not the time to skimp on personal hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and carry hand sanitizer for when soap isn’t available. Cover your mouth with your elbow when coughing and sneezing, and try to steer clear of others who are sick. While these hygiene practices should be used in every day life, traveling is the last place you want to get sick, so stay diligent.
Stick to Bottled or Purified Water
Even if your destination boasts clean drinking water, opt for bottled or purified water whenever you can, and always choose bottled water if the tap water is not potable. If you plan to go backpacking or hiking in remote areas, consider bringing a high-quality water filter.
Be Prepared for Traveler’s Diarrhea
Hopefully traveler’s diarrhea won’t be an issue, but it’s not always avoidable when your body is being exposed to so many new foods and experiences. Be prepared and keep DiaResQ on hand for safe, fast diarrhea relief for both children and adults. DiaResQ is a Food for Special Dietary Use that provides beneficial nutrients and immune factors that help rapidly restore normal intestinal function and promote digestive health.
Get Your Beauty Rest
Keep in mind that adequate sleep is closely tied to immune health. Studies show that sleep deprivation works to suppress your immune system, so do everything possible to ensure a full night’s rest. If sleep is interrupted, try to squeeze in some naps throughout the day. Bring along ear plugs or even a travel fan for white noise if you might be staying in noisy places.
The most important thing is that that you have a blast on your trip! These tips will help you stay healthy and make sure nothing gets in the way of your travels. Bon voyage!
