As the weather continues to warm up and summer approaches, many people are eagerly planning their travel adventures. Whether you are embarking on a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, it’s essential to prioritize your health and well-being while traveling. Traveling can expose you to various health risks. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, here are some tips for avoiding travel-related health issues this summer.
For same-day travel health services, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care West Orange. Our trained medical staff is available to meet, consult, and determine what vaccinations and medicines you may need before you travel. Just walk-in today!
1. Avoid Jet Lag
Jet lag is a pretty common phenomenon for anyone taking to the air. Traveling between two or more time zones leads to jet lag and can cause symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating and nausea. To avoid jet lag, it is advised that you get a lot of rest before getting on the plane, get plenty of sunlight which will help reset the body's internal clock, get plenty of rest and drink lots of water during the trip to stay hydrated.
2. Be Aware of Potential Health Complications
It’s advised that you are aware of your health status and any possible complications that can occur. That’s why it’s a good idea to get a wellness check before departure. Discuss travel plans with a healthcare professional and necessary vaccinations and medications to carry. The Centers for Disease and Control provides recommendations when it comes to vaccinations and health tips depending on which country to plan on traveling to. This information will help determine whether it is safe for you to travel and what items to pack in your portable health kit.
3. Bring Medication Along
Before embarking on any trip, it’s essential to refill your medication and pack extra doses in case of travel complications. When traveling by airplane, also remember to pack medication in both your carry-on bag and luggage to avoid problems due to luggage loss. Also, conduct some prior research to see if your necessary medication will be available where you are traveling. Make sure to label all medications and keep them out of the reach of children.
4. Exercise Regularly
Traveling is stressful, there's no doubt about that. From the movement of luggage to planning accommodation and being relatively unfamiliar with the area, it can be a lot for anybody. That is why it's been suggested that to reduce stress and improve your mood, you should engage in exercise regularly. Incorporate physical activity into your sightseeing, don't just be a couch potato. Move around, hydrate and participate in fun sports if repetitive exercises will ruin your mood. Engaging in regular exercise while on a trip can also help introduce a sense of routine control into your life, alleviating your mental state.
5. Maintain a Good Diet
Trying all kinds of local cuisine is one of the great joys of going on a vacation, after all, what's the point if you don't get to experience new things? But moderation is key, control what you eat and the amount or it can ruin your travel plans. Some people tend to eat too little or too much during a trip, offsetting their body's condition. Depending on the location, a traveler's body might react negatively to a local cuisine their body is not accustomed to. In addition to maintaining a nutritious diet, it’s crucial to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to serious complications so be sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Get Walk-In Travel Health at AFC Urgent Care West Orange
These health tips can help reduce stress and keep you in good physical condition but it's no good substitute for a medical expert. So if you are planning your next vacation, consider visiting us at AFC Urgent Care West Orange to get the help of a medical expert before your trip. We recommend that patients visit four to six weeks prior to scheduled travel abroad, but we’re always available to assist last-minute travelers as well. Walk-ins are welcome and we are open convenient extended hours to fit your schedule. Our facility accepts most health insurance plans and offers low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about our travel health services, please contact us directly at (973) 669-5900.
