returning home can be dangerous

Returning home can be dangerous to your health – post travel distress and a general malaise that can leave one feeling restless, irritable and discontented. Conversely it can also invigorate …

Source: returning home can be dangerous

Kiwitravelwriter & healthy travel: good luck or good management?

Healthy travel: good luck or good management?

Within one week I will know if I have contracted dengue fever.  (I wrote this on a Malaysian island)

Despite knowledge, despite repellent, and despite being cautious, the dengue-carrying, daytime-biting mosquito has bitten me: in an area of Asia where an epidemic is rife.

So why is an article on healthy travelling starting on such a negative note? Merely to confirm what T.S. Elliot said ‘Between the idea and the reality falls the shadows.’ No matter how well prepared we are, travel can throw us a curved ball.

I do not expect to fall ill during the next week: in fact when travelling I never expect to have health or any other problems. A positive mental attitude is my first line of defence. This attitude, plus good luck, plus common sense has seen me travelling in some thirty-five countries with rarely any health concerns. Even in third world countries I seldom have an upset stomach or fast trips to toilets.

I can’t tell you any worst-ever tales as my ‘worst’ are very mild: a heavy cold in the Netherlands, a sore back after sleeping on bus from Cairo to Tel Aviv, a painful neck in London, and the very occasional loose bowel-motion.What are the basic ‘rules’ of happy, healthy travelling? They range from pre-travel checks and vaccinations through to health insurance and sensible precautions.  Post-travel problems and check-ups are also part of travel-care and, most important of all, remember that travel self-care covers sexual, physical, emotional and spiritual areas.

The healthier and fitter you are before the journey starts the better. No matter how fit you are, pre-trip walking will benefit you. Whether climbing mountains, visiting cathedrals and art galleries, scuba diving or canoeing – you will need physical and mental strength.

good tips for healthy travel

check out this blog re healthy travel

How To Be A Healthy Traveler

admin on April 29th, 2009

Ensure you fully enjoy your adventure holiday by arriving in top health by following our tips for staying germ-free whilst on board your flight:

1. Always carry disinfectant hand wipes and wet wipes as they come in handy when travelling with children and are great if you have an accident at 35,000 feet!
2. Bear in mind that the blankets and pillows on your aircraft are not regularly cleaned so use your own. [this depends on the airline – long distant planes do clean them : kiwitravelwriter.com]
3. Same goes for your aircraft seat and tray table, just think how many people could have sat there since they were last disinfected. Minimize contact with your face and use your own pillow for sleeping, especially if you sleep with your mouth open!
4. Put your shoes on for a visit to the toilets, do not go in barefoot or in just socks. Just think about it, four toilets for a couple of hundred passengers!
5. Eat plenty of fruit and veg before your trip and if necessary stock on vitamins and supplements as well. Clear your fridge before you leave and whip up a tasty smoothie or veg juice with your leftovers.
6. Don’t drink alcohol just before or during your flight (even if it is complimentary) as this will dry you out and alcohol is an immune-suppressant.
7. If you are germ-laden then be a considerate traveler and keep your germs to yourself.
8. Carry a first aid kit and include some cold remedies, painkillers etc as your destination may not sell what you need.