1) Research – When travelling to a foreign country it is important to be aware of the risks, such as contagious diseases that can be transmitted through mosquitoes, water or unclean conditions. By carrying out this research prior to your travels, you provide yourself with a better chance of staying healthy during your travels.
2) Vaccine and medications– The best way to stay healthy abroad is to make sure you have the right vaccinations that will prevent you from getting ill abroad. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, Cholera and Travellers’ Diarrhoea are the top vaccines for travelling to South America or Asia.
3) First Aid kit– First aid kits are great for both minor and more serious injuries. A well-stocked first aid kit should include: plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes, small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings, at least two sterile eye dressings, triangular bandages , crêpe rolled bandages, safety pins , disposable sterile gloves, tweezers, scissors, alcohol-free cleansing wipes, sticky tape, thermometer (preferably digital) , skin rash cream, cream/spray for insect bites/stings, antiseptic cream, painkillers such cough medicine, antihistamine tablets, distilled water for cleaning wounds and eye wash and eye bath.
4) Mosquito bites and mosquito related diseases– If you are staying or visiting an area where there are mosquitos with diseases such as malaria, it is essential to cover up by wearing long sleeved clothing. It is also important to always wear insect repellent and to bring a mosquito net if necessary to protect your general health and wellbeing.
5) Heat and Sun– To prevent sunburn, heat stroke and heat exhaustion it is important to wear a hat whilst outside in the sun. Regularly applying sunscreen and staying hydrated guarantees less of a likelihood contracting sunburn, heat stroke and heat exhaustion- therefore resulting in happier and healthier trip.
6) Jet lag – One of the best ways to deal with jetlag is to try to simulate your new schedule before you leave, for example if you are travelling east move your bedtime earlier and if you’re travelling west do the opposite. Whilst you are traveling to your destination it is a good idea to adjust your watch so that when you land you are psychologically in your new time zone.
7) Travel Insurance – Purchasing Travel insurance is an important precaution to take to stay healthy whilst abroad, as it offers cover for any for medical expenses incurred whilst travelling. It is important to note that each country’s healthcare system operates slightly differently and services that are free in Spain may not be free in other countries.
Fit 2 Trip offer medical, cancellation and multi-risk policies for families, couples and individuals with pre-existing medical health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and cancer, all from as little as €5.