I’ll admit it, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac — the type of person to cringe when reading WebMD, sweat profusely at the slightest increase in my heartbeat and sleep with a bottle of mosquito spray when visiting a country with risk of Malaria. While my tendency to lean towards the dramatic when it comes to health is something to scoff at when home, when abroad my worry about contracting something has led me to prioritize avoiding sickness during my travels. From probiotics to basic street-wise habits, these are my top tips for staying healthy while traveling.
1. Create an in-case of emergency kit.
Remember when your parents used to pack everything ‘just-in-case’? For every Caribbean destination there would be a warm winter sweater “just in case” and for every vacation there would be a medical kit with enough band-aids to dress up as a mummy. At the time, an in-case of emergency kit might have earned an eye roll but today it is wise to take a page from your parent’s book. Whenever I travel I toss a bunch of items in a bag “in case of emergency” and over the course of my travels being prepared has always served me well. Here are a few of the items I carry with me on my travels:
- Band-aids
- Q-Tips
- Zyrtec Allergy Medication
- Benadryl
- Neosporin
- Dramamine (or for a natural alternative, ginger chews)
- TUMS
- Aleve
- Immodium
- Zinc Cold Therapy
- Vitamins
- Aloe Vera/Sunscreen
- Tweezers
- Sudafed
- Pepcid AC
2. Drink plenty of (safe) water.
I will never forget the time I got a heat stroke from dehydration. For no other reason than stupidity, I was in high school at a hot amusement park and had spent more time waiting in lines for rides than staying hydrated. Like a big yellow bus, the heat stroke hit me head on and saw me go from bouncing in line for Vertical Velocity to hunched over, crumpling to the floor. Drinking water is necessary, especially in hot destinations, but making sure the water is safe is critical. Before you jet off to a destination make sure to reference guide books on the health concerns and safety precautions unique to that region. The knowledge gained from a quick sentence or two can mark the difference between a dream trip or a nightmare.
Tip: Don’t forget about the ice cubes! While most destinations with poor water quality have enough savvy to use clean water ice cubes, some may pour bottled water over tap water cubes. When in doubt, stick to that bottle of water.
3. Don’t skip on the probiotics.
When abroad, my diet changes dramatically from the sandwiches, salads and smoothies of my daily life in New York City to the rich, spicy flavors of whatever country I’m visiting. Colombia saw me living off a diet of fried fish, exotic fruits and cervezas, France had me practically falling asleep with cheese and bread in my mouth and an IV drip of red wine; while Italy turned me into Mario Batalli proclaiming my love for pasta. I hardly hold back when I visit a new country, wanting to absorb as much culture, food, drink and experience as possible but, unfortunately, my stomach is not always on board with my culinary adventures. After a week of fried fish or stinky Camembert my stomach starts to boycott, which is where probiotics come in. Probiotics are a daily supplement that maintain healthy digestion and supports your immune system. Get in the habit of taking probiotics when traveling to arm your stomach with healthy bacteria and steer clear of tummy issues.
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