Key Takeaways
- Ensure you have crucial vaccinations, medications, and a well-stocked travel kit for a healthy summer holiday.
- Stay hydrated and nourished. Choose nutritious meals while traveling.
- Use sunscreen effectively and wear protective clothes and accessories.
- Incorporate exercise into your vacation and practise safe outdoor activities.
- Manage travel-related health concerns like traveler’s diarrhea and dehydration.
- Prioritize your mental well-being during vacation. Manage stress and ensure quality sleep while traveling.
Summer is a time to look forward to, perfect for adventure, relaxation, and exploration. However, it is also a time when certain health risks can increase, particularly for travelers. So, how to stay healthy in summer? From sunburns to stomach bugs, one must be aware of common illnesses and take preventive measures to ensure that summer travels are enjoyable and worry-free.
Preparing for a healthy vacation
Whether you are jet-setting to exotic destinations or embarking on a road trip, it is essential to be aware of common summer illnesses and take proactive steps to prevent them. Let us explore some of the most prevalent health concerns for travellers during the summer months and how to tackle them. Keep in mind the summer स्वास्थ्य सुझाव mentioned below.
Essential vaccinations and medications
Before setting out on your summer travels, consider arranging a visit to your primary healthcare provider.
Recommended vaccinations before traveling
As per your destination, you may require vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, or malaria. Your healthcare provider can assist you with getting the necessary immunizations. Also, ensure you have essential medicines and prescriptions for travel-related conditions.
Packing a comprehensive travel health kit
A well-stocked travel health kit is essential! Must-have essentials to include are:
- Medications: Your regular prescriptions, plus over-the-counter medicines for common travel issues like pain, allergies, and digestive issues.
- First-aid supplies: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and adhesive tape for minor injuries.
- Health essentials: Insect repellent, hand sanitizer, and a digital thermometer.
- Travel-specific items: Oral rehydration salts, motion sickness medication, and water purification tablets if you visit areas with impure drinking water.
Staying hydrated and nourished
Hydration is important. Dehydration can result in fatigue, headaches, and more serious health issues. Also, make smart nutrition choices to help you stay energized throughout your vacation.
Importance of regular hydration
- Drink plenty of water: Aim to drink at least eight glasses daily or more if you are in a hot climate or physically active.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine: These can contribute to dehydration.
- Carry a reusable water bottle: Refill it often, ensuring you always have water on hand. This helps when you are in airports and on longer flights.
Choosing nutritious meals while traveling
Eat mindfully while you are on the go:
- Having breakfast before you leave for your vacation will help you through your daily activities. Choose balanced options like eggs, cottage cheese, low-sugar yogurt, nuts, fruit, oatmeal, or high-fiber bread or cereal.
- When choosing your meals, ensure they include protein, fiber, vegetables and healthy fats.
- Choose healthier on-the-go choices, like salad, yogurt with fruit or nuts, pre-cut veggies and hummus, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, or a nut mix.
Sun protection strategies
Sunburn and other heat-related illnesses are frequent during summer travel. Protect yourself by:
Effective use of sunscreen
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or greater. Reapply every two hours or more often if swimming or sweating.
Wearing protective clothing and accessories
Wearing long-sleeved and loose cotton clothes, hats, and sunglasses can protect your skin and eyes from the sun.
Maintaining physical activity
Travel can disrupt your usual routine, but you must strive to inculcate a balance of activity and rest.
Incorporating exercise into your vacation
Include physical activities like walking, swimming, or yoga in your daily routine.
Safe practises for outdoor activities
Practise good hygiene and take proactive measures to minimize the risk of skin problems when spending time outdoors.
- Shower after swimming: Rinse off with soap and water to remove any potential irritants or parasites from your skin.
- Avoid sharing personal items: Sharing towels, clothing, or personal care items can spread infections. Use your items and encourage others to do the same.
- Apply barrier creams: Consider using barrier creams or lotions, especially if you can likely get in contact with irritants or allergens.
- Seek medical attention: Consult a doctor if you develop a skin rash, irritation, or infection. Quick treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and alleviate discomfort.
Here are some of the common travel-related health concerns and how to get around them:
Preventing traveler’s diarrhea
To prevent traveler’s diarrhea, focus on safe food and water choices, practise good hygiene, and consider medications if needed after consulting your doctor.
Recognizing and addressing dehydration symptoms
Do not forget to take a water break or sit in the shade to cool down when having fun outdoors. Drink ample fluids if you are sweating or directly exposed to the sun for too long to prevent dehydration.
The first signs of dehydration are extreme thirst, little or no urination, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, rapid breathing and heartbeat, and fever.
To prevent it, drink plenty of water; take regular breaks, more suitably in the shade; and plan your outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not as high in the sky.
Mental well-being during vacation
With so much going around, mental well-being can suffer during vacation. Consider practising the following techniques for sound mental health:
Stress management techniques
Travel can be stressful, especially with a family. Incorporate mindfulness techniques to spread calmness and happiness:
- Try simple breathing exercises to practise during travel or in stressful situations.
- Be mindful and take time to enjoy your surroundings, be it a beautiful beach or a scenic mountain view.
- Practise yoga together to stay active and relaxed.
Ensuring quality sleep while traveling
Nothing is worse than feeling too tired after indulging in holiday activities. Ensure you get enough sleep. Aim to sleep for seven to nine hours every night. Consider using earplugs and an eye mask in a noisy or bright environment.
Travel wisely, stay healthy
Summer travel offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure, but it is essential to prioritize your health and well-being along the way. Stay informed and take proactive steps for a safe and memorable trip.
Stay tuned to the Activ Living Community. Keep up to date with the latest health tips and trends through expert videos, podcasts, articles, and much more on पोषण, फिटनेस, सचेतन, और लाइफस्टाइल से जुड़ी बीमारियां like Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes. Activ Living ke saath sahi sehat ki shuruat ABHI karo.
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