Solo travel is exciting, while exploring new frontiers on your own, but maintaining good health is crucial to make the most of your trips.
Consider applying these some essential tips to help you stay healthy while traveling alone:
Before You Travel:
- Consult Your Doctor: Discuss your travel itinerary and necessary vaccinations with your healthcare provider. Consider travel health insurance as mentioned above for added peace of mind.
- Pack Smart: it is sensible to include essentials like hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and a quality first-aid kit. Pack medications you regularly use, (*chronic mediations with a certificate from your doctor); and any recommended over-the-counter remedies.
- Research Your Destination: Find out about any local health risks, such as water quality, food safety, and insect-borne diseases at your chosen destinations.
- Thorough Hygiene is Key: Although common sense: Always wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, and eyes, and use fly and mosquito repellents at tropical destinations.
- Food Safety: Food poisoning can be dangerous. Thus always be cautious about what you eat, and know what you are eating. Keep a preference for well cooked food and rather avoid street vendors in questionable hygiene conditions. Stay properly hydrated by drinking bottled water, and even more so at hot tropical destinations.
- Get Enough Sleep: proper rest is vital for maintaining optimum health. Thus aim for consistent sleep, sticking to a routine where possible; even if it's challenging in new environments. Consider using earplugs in noisy environments like hostels, or an eye mask for better sleep quality.
- Stay Active: Exercise often, and try to incorporate physical activity into your routine. Options such as walking tours, hiking, or yoga can help boost your immune system.
- Protect Yourself from the Sun: Wear quality sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. In hot locations do your best to avoid excessive sun exposure, especially during peak hours. Remember, stay well hydrated!
- Mind Your Mental Health: Solo travel can be liberating, but it's also important to take breaks and connect with people. Loneliness and depression can creep in sometimes. Keeping a diary, staying in touch with family and meditation can help you manage stressful, or anxious moments.
- Monitor Your Health: After the trip be aware of any unusual symptoms, rashes, changes in health, unusual pains and aches, and consult a doctor if necessary.
- Wash Your Clothes well: During the trip and when you return launder your clothes thoroughly to remove any potential germs.