People are anxious to travel abroad these days due to the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an advisory telling people to avoid traveling overseas unless fully vaccinated. Even with the vaccine, you still need to be cautious due to the emergence of new virus variants.
If you cannot delay the trip until after the pandemic has ended, you should go through the following tips to stay healthy while traveling abroad.
Observe Health Protocols
The first thing you need to do is to follow health protocols. Even if the country you are visiting has minimal virus cases, it’s still important to follow proper health protocols to reduce the risk of getting infected.
You should avoid crowded areas when you travel since it increases the risk of infection. Some countries require people to wear face shields in addition to face masks. You should also bring hand sanitizer when you travel, especially where water and soap are scarce. Checking the website of the US Department of State for advisories is also a good way for you to stay on the safe side while traveling abroad.
Stay Hydrated
Staying us also important so you can be at your best when you travel to another country. Evidence has shown that long-haul flights can cause dehydration. These flights can cause fluids to shift to the lower extremities, which causes the viscosity of blood to change.
Similarly, people tend to cut back on their water intake since they are unsure when to use the restroom. This is something that you can inadvertently do when you travel internationally. So when you travel abroad, you might want to cut back on your alcohol intake and drink water instead. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect that can affect your health while you travel. Drink around eight ounces of water per hour while you are in the air.
Get Enough Rest
Getting enough rest is important since it helps the first immune response of the body, which is important for you to avoid getting infected. It allows the immune system to work on preventing the spread of foreign pathogens in the body.
On the other hand, sleep deprivation can increase heart disease, diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. So, it is important to get enough rest when you travel to a different country, especially if it’s located in a different time zone.
To ensure you get the rest you need, you should rent an apartment that offers the luxury you are looking for. While it can be costly, it’s worth the money you’re paying for it if you have a panoramic view of the area where you are staying.
Watch What You Eat
Aside from rest, you should also take care of your diet when you travel abroad. Good nutrition promotes good health, which is important when you visit another country. You should eat a lot of fruits and vegetables while traveling since they can strengthen your immune system.
Your diet should consist of vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. You can also include food from animal sources, including meat, milk, and eggs. It is also important to avoid overcooking the vegetables since they can lose important vitamins when overcooked.
Fresh and unprocessed food gives you the vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals, and protein your body needs. You can also get antioxidants, which are useful for your body. Avoiding salt, sweet, and fat can help reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and some cancer types. It also allows you to maintain your weight and avoid becoming obese. While you can have chocolate and processed food at times, you should avoid eating too much of it while on your overseas trip.
See Your Doctor Before the Trip
Before you leave for your trip abroad, you should visit your doctor. Your doctor can give you the medicines you need for potential diseases you will contract in the country you’re visiting. They can help you get the vaccines and antibiotics you need. Aside from the current virus, you can also get a vaccine for hepatitis A and other diseases to protect you.
Take Vitamins
You should also take vitamins and supplements that can keep you healthy during your trip. The vitamins you should get include vitamin D and zinc. These vitamins can help reduce the risk of getting the virus, which is possible even if you are already vaccinated. But you should make sure to tell your doctor about your plan of taking these vitamins beforehand.
Traveling to a different country during a pandemic makes it essential for people to take the necessary steps to stay healthy during their trip.