Finally!
It’s time to relax.
You’ve been working hard all year long, and now you can go on that much-awaited vacation that you’ve been planning for so long. But whether you travel to another country for leisure or business, you need to be careful about a few things.
Preparing to travel
Standards of safety, hygiene, and medical care differ from place to place. 50% of travelers have a chance of suffering a travel-related illness. Learning about the health risks of the country of your destination and the precautionary steps you can take to remain healthy are just a couple of things you need to include in your preparations.
There are several things to consider. The following are just a few to keep in mind:
- Your medical history and age
- Your destination and likely accommodation
- The season in which you are traveling
- The length of stay
- The type of travel, for example, bus, train, or plane
While traveling
Traveling is supposed to be fun and relaxing. It’s essential to take care of personal hygiene. You can’t afford the risk of getting sick in a foreign country. Neither do you want an illness to disrupt your plans. So taking the necessary steps is better. Like they always say, better safe than sorry.
Here are some tips to help you during your travels:
1. Stock up on essentials
Consider taking an adequate supply of basic provisions with you. Not only are similar products hard to find in other countries, but they can also be overpriced. I’m not talking about packing a bag with soap and shampoo. Products such as hand sanitizer, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, antiperspirant, body spray, lotion, etc. should last you your entire trip.
Pro-tip: Because of flight restrictions, do not pack these any large-size bottles in your carry-on. For convenience, pack travel-size containers, baby wipes, and toothbrush in your carry-on luggage.
2. Select suitable accommodation
Though a lot of hotel reservations are made online or through travel agents, make sure that the place where you are staying is clean. Selecting an inferior location may not meet the health and hygiene standards that we desire.
Pro-tip: Paying a little extra for clean sheets, pillows, and blankets are more important than trying to treat infections later on. And the rating of the hotel also gives you an indication of other aspects of hygiene that you are concerned about, such as tap water and the general safety of the area.
3. Practice better personal hygiene
Washing your hands before eating and after using the toilet are simple aspects that everyone already practices. But taking a shower daily is just as important, especially if you are traveling to an underdeveloped country or a hot, humid destination. It’s one way of reducing the chances of bacterial infections.
Similarly, don’t share towels or other personal products. Use napkins to wipe your hands and face. Have an ample supply of tissues at all times.
Pro-tip: Change your undergarments often. Wearing items made of breathable material with antibacterial properties, such as those manufactured by BN3TH, is an easy way to keep infections down at bay.
4. Watch what you eat and drink
The water you consume at home is safe to drink. But that can’t be said about water in other places. So when traveling, always use bottled or boiled water. And as an extra precaution, it may be worthwhile using bottled water for brushing. Similarly, avoid adding ice to your drinks.
Eat fruits and vegetables that are properly washed. Dishes with meat items should be cooked well, so avoid rare steaks. And as a general rule, avoid shellfish. The slightest bit of mishandling can cause food poisoning.
Pro-tip: Eat from busy restaurants. It’s a sure sign that everything is fresh. Try not to eat dishes from stalls and street vendors. And when it comes to eating fruit, pick those that have a thick skin, for example, bananas and oranges.
5. Use clean bathrooms
Washrooms are one of the easiest places where you can pick up germs. Be wary of public toilets. Avoid sitting directly on toilet seats; it’s best to spread toilet paper on the seat before using. Again, use hand sanitizers as soon as you are out of the bathroom.
Even in your hotel room, keep the washroom clean and dry. This can reduce the spread of infections and diseases. No matter where you are, practice good hygiene everywhere.
Pro-tip: Do not place your personal belongings on the bathroom floor. They will come in contact with germs on the surface.
6. Be careful of diseases in the location
Certain areas around the world are prone to particular diseases. Common insect-borne diseases include malaria, yellow fever, Zika, and dengue. But others can be contracted while interacting with wild animals, so being careful is the least you can do.
As for tick-borne diseases, consider applying permethrin insecticide to your clothing. In fact, using permethrin-treated clothing and gear such as those offered by Sawyer Products can increase the amount of protection you’ll get.
Pro-tip: Always apply a mosquito repellent on all exposed parts of the body. And it’s better if you wear shirts with long sleeves and pants to cover up as much as possible.
7. Arm yourself with travel insurance
The burden of medical expenses in foreign countries can sky-rocket. So Some travelers prefer to carry travel insurance as a precautionary measure. Policies can be customized to meet your requirements and travel plans.
Pro-tip: Acquire travel insurance from a recognized and established company. They have connections with medical facilities and embassies in case you need to arrange emergency services abroad.
Final thoughts
It’s been a great trip, and now it’s time to head on home. But certain aspects of hygiene are sometimes overlooked. When you reach home, there’s no doubt that you’ll be tired. That doesn’t mean you should get lazy and sloppy.
So take a hot bath as soon as you arrive. And even if you don’t feel like doing the laundry right away, put your clothes in the hamper. When you’re up to it, tackle the clothes in your suitcase.
There’s no point in spreading your worn clothes everywhere. It’s always best to wash everything that you took.
Every aspect of hygiene matters. But it has to begin with you.
