Summer is the perfect excuse to go traveling and tick off some of your bucket list destinations. Whether you explore some great locations closer to home or you decide to venture further afield, it is wonderful to have some adventures planned.
Traveling provides a lot of amazing experiences, but it is important to put your safety first wherever you travel. From taking care of your health to ensuring you act safely and responsibly, there is a lot you need to think about to make sure your trip is as enjoyable as possible.
If you are jetting off this summer, take the following steps to enjoy safe and happy travels.
Make Sure You Have The Right Vaccinations
Before you set off anywhere, make sure all of your vaccinations are up-to-date. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a detailed list of vaccinations recommended for every country in the world, so it’s good to take a look. You will also want to make sure you’ve got a recent tetanus vaccine too.
Vaccinations can be a requirement to enter some countries, but they could also be a requirement for your insurance — making it difficult to get your treatment paid for if you have failed to have these vaccinations before departure.
Pack A Medical Supply Kit
Pack some essential medical supplies you can take with you wherever you travel. Band-Aids, bandages, medication for bites, stings, and disinfectant can all be beneficial for your travels. You should also make sure you take enough supplies of any essential medication you need to take for any conditions you have, as well as contraception.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure you take supplies for them too. It can be difficult to soothe a sick or injured child while you’re away from home but having the right supplies will help.
Get The Right Insurance
Travel insurance is a must to protect your health while traveling, as well as to protect your belongings. Finding the best travel insurance will make sure you are covered for all eventualities, leaving you feeling more confident when traveling. Check your policy against COVID-19 regulations, as there may be some things older policies will not cover.
Do Not Neglect Yourself
It is easy to let loose while traveling — that is expected! But it should not be done at the expense of your health and safety. Starting with sun protection, make sure you wear SPF every day and carry some with you for top-ups.
Be wary when listening to music while traveling — especially if you are alone or in an unfamiliar area. You should aim to maintain a quiet volume so that you can still hear what is happening around you. Loud music in-ear is one of the activities that cause hearing loss. You should also wear ear protection when visiting noisy areas or attending gigs — regulations can differ from place to place and put your hearing at risk.
Travel Lightly When Exploring Busy Areas
Pickpocketing is a risk that most travelers will have to face at some stage. It is unfortunate, but being a tourist makes you an easy target. There are things you can do to protect yourself from pickpockets, including traveling lightly and not taking all of your money and cards out with you. Be vigilant and do not put any valuables on show.
Take Your Workout Gear
Just because you’re traveling, does not mean you ca not exercise from time to time. Doing a workout while traveling means you can exercise with the view of some incredible backdrops behind you — an excellent excuse to do some yoga, running or go for a hike. A HIIT workout is also a short, sharp way to get your heart rate going and keep you on your toes, using only your body weight.
Rest And Relaxation
You can feel pressure to fit in a million and one activities while you are traveling or on vacation, but remember that this is supposed to be your chance to relax too! Plan in some chill time to give you the chance to catch up on your rest — it is the perfect excuse to spend some time by the pool with your nose in a good book.
Eat Healthily (Most Of The Time!)
Exploring world cuisine is one of the most enjoyable things about traveling. But all that yummy food makes it very difficult to stay on top of healthy eating habits. It is good to indulge now and then, but there are some great tips out there to help you eat healthily when traveling. Eat breakfast every day and make sure you have a healthy water supply with you wherever you go.
Take Care When Drinking
Experiencing different nightlife can be one of the highlights of your trip, but if you are going to drink, make sure you do it responsibly. Measures may not be as strict as they are at home, and being in unfamiliar surroundings could put you at risk if you have one too many. Drink less than you normally would, drink plenty of water and never be on your own. You should also have a plan for how you will return to your accommodation at the end of the night.
Establish A Routine For Longer Trips
If you are traveling for a longer period of time, you should think about establishing some kind of routine. While it is not always easy due to the spontaneity of traveling, having a routine can help you feel happier and healthier. From maintaining a strict sleep schedule to having designated phone time, those little changes will make a big difference to your wellbeing.
Traveling can lead you on so many great adventures, but it is important that you stay healthy and safe when you are away from home. Getting sick while traveling means you will miss out, while an accident or incident can spoil your fun. See the world but take care of yourself, your travels will be much more enjoyable if you put yourself first.