Staying healthy while traveling, especially in remote international locations, should always be a top priority. I am sure we have all had the dreaded experience of getting sick while on vacation, and spending days in bed while others are out having fun. Although catching a virus is usually out of our control, there are several common travel ailments that may be completely avoidable. With the summer travel season fast approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to review some key tips on this subject.
Tan your skin responsibly – Years ago I traveled with a friend who would insist on spending the first day of our tropical vacation on the beach all day without an umbrella or sun protection. Needless to say, they would get extremely ill with a horrible sunburn, fever, and nausea that lasted for days. The important point here is that this recipe for disaster was completely preventable. If at all possible, a month prior to your trip you should begin to expose your skin to the sun for ten minutes a day in order to build up your natural base tan and tolerance. Otherwise, keep your direct sun exposure to short bursts while on the beach, or plan your main activities in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not as strong.
