Plan to Travel Healthy - Part 1
Plan to Travel Healthy- Part 1
No one wants to be sick on vacation. So, our advice is that you make a plan to be healthy when you leave and stay healthy while you are gone. We can’t avoid every bug out there, but we can do our best to have the best possible defences in place. That simply takes a little preplanning. First, keep your immune system in top form and try to avoid getting too worn down in the weeks and days before your vacation. Get as much rest as you can, because when we are sleep deprived our body’s defense mechanisms are weakened. Many of us rush around in the weeks and days before any vacation making sure that we have everything organized and completed both at work and at home. When we overdo it and don’t get enough rest, we get sick, which is why so many of us get sick just before we go away on vacation or at the beginning of our vacation. The trick is to plan for downtime and schedule in some relaxation time. If you don’t your body will get tired and worn down, leaving you susceptible to all the cold and flu bugs that seem to be lurking everywhere.

While making your plan to stay healthy also check on which vaccinations may be recommended for your destination and keep in mind that some vaccinations need to be completed in stages and you may require a month or more lead time to be fully protected. More on this in next month's On The Water Fly Fishing Travel Tips.

Whether traveling by air or on a road trip it is important for you to prepare your body early and take care of yourself while you are away. Here are some tips to help you prepare and to help you stay healthy while you are away:
  1. Start preparing your body for travel at least 48 hours prior to your departure. This includes getting at least eight hours of sleep each night in the two nights leading up to your trip and drinking lots of fluids.
  2. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water, before your trip starts, while on your journey and while you are away. Cedars-Sinai recommends dividing your weight, in pounds, in half and aim to drink that many ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, you should try to drink 60 ounces (a little more than a litre and a half) of water a day. In order to be sure that I drink enough water on a plane flight, I buy a large bottle once I have cleared through security and take it with me on the plane. Also, once you are at your destination, it is important to be sure that the water is safe to drink. Most lodges have in-house filters to be ensure their water is safe. I always ask when I arrive if the water in my room is safe to drink and to brush my teeth with. If not, there may be a specific tap in a common room to get your drinking water from or the lodge may supply bottled water. Also remember that when you are out in the hot sun fishing it may be important to drink something with an electrolyte replacement.
  3. Get enough sleep during your trip. Yes, there are lots of things to see and do but, you will see and do more if you are healthy than if you are sick and stuck in your room.
  4. Slow down. Packed itineraries don’t leave much room for rest and relaxation and fishing trips with eight or more hours a day of fishing don’t necessarily allow for true ‘downtime’. It is important to pace yourself. We like to arrive at our destination a day early, when time allows, so that we can sleep in the first morning, take in the sights, prepare our gear and relax. Sometimes we take a break from fishing in the middle of a trip, to enjoy some downtime. Other times we enjoy our time fishing but then head to an ecolodge for a few days to relax before flying home.
  5. Eat a balanced diet. One thing that many people tend to do on vacation is overindulge on food and drink, which can disrupt your digestive system and overall health. Yes, try new foods and drinks but remember to keep drinking water and eating healthy foods too (including colourful fruits and vegetables).
  6. Give yourself time to recover. Instead of returning home and immediately returning to your fast-paced life try to schedule in some rest time for a day or two to recover. This can be as simple as flying home on Saturday and resting on Sunday.
  7. Pack well. Bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to help keep the germs at bay. Some other items that can help keep you healthy and active on your vacation are:
    1. Medication:
      • Pack your prescription medications in your carry-on bag
      • Pack any over-the-counter medications normally used at home plus a few that you may only need while traveling (make sure the ones you can’t do without are in your carry-on bag). Some suggestions are:
        • Antacids
        • Allergy medication
        • Pain and fever relief
        • Anti-motion sickness medication
        • Antibacterial and antifungal spray/cream
        • Hydrocortisone cream
        • Cough suppressants
        • Laxatives
    2. Basic First Aid Items:
      • Sunscreen (I keep a small bottle in my carry-on, just in case my luggage gets delayed)
      • Aloe Vera gel
      • Alcohol based hand sanitizer
      • Saline eye drops
      • Extra pair of glasses, contact lenses, polarized sunglasses
      • Adhesive bandages
      • Adhesive tape
      • Antiseptic wound cleanser
      • Blister bandages or moleskin
      • Disposable latex or vinyl gloves
      • Gauze
      • Support bandages
      • Electrolyte/oral rehydration tablets
      • Tweezers
      • Safety pins scissors
*Many of the items on these lists come standard in small first aid kits that are available at any drug store. I recommend picking one of them up and adding any of the other items on the list that you want to take. Because some of these things can make a mess in your luggage if they break or leak, I suggest getting a small dry bag to store everything that has the potential to leak, and pack that in the bottom of your suitcase. Then pack the rest of your gear and clothes around the first aid kit to protect it.

8.    Finally, and most importantly, have fun, get out On The Water, catch some fish and laugh a lot!

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