Fighting fit and healthy

Keeping fit while travelling (Photo by Ramnat Bhat)

Have you ever been ill on holiday? I have, and believe me, it’s something you want to go out of your way to avoid if at all possible. Of course, sometimes it’s not avoidable, but in the case of the usual holiday ailments, such as a bad stomach, too much alcohol, or sunstroke, these things are totally avoidable.

Being in tip top health before you leave the house will go a long way to making sure you’re building on a strong, healthy foundation. If you’re stressed out and tired when you arrive at the airport, the flight will simply make you worse, so cut out the stress and stock up on sleep before you leave the house.

Having said that, cutting out stress isn’t always easy, but one way to do that is to make sure you’re organised and everything is in place. This way you’re not worrying about things that you’ve forgotten, because you know you haven’t! A good way to put your mind at rest, and to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time, is to check your flight information online before you leave the house. I do this in the days leading up to my flight, and I also find it has the added benefit of making me even more excited about my upcoming holiday.

Stress is one of those serious life spoilers, and it can also lead to some pretty grim health problems. Look to the positives, focus on the holiday, and cut it out as far as possible, then you’ll give yourself a solid foundation to build on.

As for the other holiday-induced health problems that are pretty common when we travel, these are entirely avoidable if you’re sensible. Take the common stomach upset for example. Yes, heat can play a part, but if you avoid drinking the local water, and stick to the bottled variety, watch what you’re eating, and keep yourself hydrated with that bottled stuff we just mentioned, then you should be fighting fit. If you are unfortunate enough to come down with the famous Delhi belly, then simply drink water and rest, it should pass within a day or so, but if it is prolonged be sure to seek medical attention.

Another problem many run into overseas is drinking too much alcohol, and the dangerous effects that come with it. The problem is that measures are often stronger overseas than we’re used to in the UK, so you’re actually getting drunker than you realise. I’m not suggesting you becoming holiday tee-total, but just remember moderation.

The other problem? The sun. I love it, but believe me, it causes problems. We all know we should wear sun-cream, a hat, and drink plenty of water, but how many of you actually do it? If you’ve ever had sunstroke then you will be much more vigilant with sun safety – trust me, it’s not a pleasant experience!

Before you leave for your holiday, remember to make sure your general vaccinations are up to date, such as your tetanus injection, and check with your GP if you need any specific vaccinations for the destination you’re heading to. You may need anti-malaria medication, so check this out too.

It’s general health common sense, but how many of us leave that at the airport when we travel?