Over the last few months, many Americans have begun to plan post-holiday…well, holidays.
Keeping ourselves safe and healthy during travel, either in the U.S. or abroad, is more important than ever. If you gave the gift of a post-holiday getaway, or received one, there are steps you can take to ensure wellness.
In the age of COVID, more and more travelers are not only planning for wellness during their travels, but leading up to them too. One of the things that the worldwide pandemic has shown us, is that we could all use a healthier lifestyle. One great way to plan for healthy travels is to be healthy to begin with. Adopting a healthier lifestyle means maintaining a good diet, but a balanced diet isn’t the be all and end all to health and wellness.
Travel healthily with proper planning and mosquito protection.
Before you travel, brush up on these healthy habits to strengthen your immune system.
- See your physician or dietician, who can recommend a well-balanced diet and exercise for your particular needs.
- Step back from your screen at least one hour before bed to help you fall asleep faster, and focus on healthier sleeping habits.
- Continue the recommended handwashing habits we have all adopted during the pandemic, and work to socially distance when possible.
- Consider stress management routines, such as meditation, stretching, or breathing exercises.
Mosquito protection is key, especially when traveling abroad.
Mosquito protection is essential for travel to tropical climates.
Traveling outside of the United States poses risks aside from COVID. We must remember that when we travel to locations outside of the United States, we can be susceptible to mosquito-borne diseases that we do not have here. Here are three such diseases, and the recommended methods of protection.
Malaria – If you are traveling to an area, where Malaria is endemic, it is highly-recommended that you seek anti-malarial medications. There are different drugs for different types of travel, including last-minute trips. Visit the CDC website to read about these medications, and speak to your doctor for the one that will suit your needs. No drug is 100% effective, so you must also take measures to further protect yourself from mosquito bites, such as wearing protective clothing and using personal mosquito repellent.
Yellow fever – If you are traveling to an areas, where yellow fever is endemic, a vaccine is available. This vaccination will take some planning, though, because it should be given six weeks prior to travel.
Dengue – If you are going to a tropical location, where dengue fever is endemic, protection is key. There are no vaccines or drugs to protect you from dengue. Therefore, you must solely rely on protective clothing and mosquito bite prevention with personal repellent sprays or creams.
What should you do after you travels?
When you return home from your post-holiday trip, keep an eye out for potential mosquito-borne illness symptoms. Often, we mistake these symptoms for jet lag. If you feel fever, extreme fatigue, joint pain, or vomiting after you return from a trip, seek immediate medical attention. Be sure to tell your medical professional where you have traveled to, so proper testing can be performed and treatment recommended.
Continue your mosquito protection measures at home with professional mosquito yard spray.