Booking that round the world trip is a pretty huge deal. Whether you’re doing it as part of a college gap year, of if you’ve taken a sabbatical from work, dropping everything to go traveling is a very exciting thing. It is your chance to experience the world at your pace, to see cultures and countries you’ve never seen before and become a more well-rounded person. It is for these reasons that you need to make sure you are prepared for what such a long period of travel has to throw at you. Of course, there are certain things that are obvious. You’ll need to have a huge bag with you, and it will need to be packed up to within an inch of its life with clothes, tech, and toiletries. You will also need to have all your travel requirements, such as your passport and visas, in order before you go, to avoid any unnecessary stress. But those aren’t the only things you need to have in order before you go away. If you are taking more just a vacation – i.e. if you are away for more than just a couple of weeks – being in good health before and during the trip is paramount. Here are a few things you can do to make sure that no physical problems get in the way of you having an amazing time on your travels.
Getting fit
Going ‘traveling’ can often be very different to going on ‘vacation.’ Vacations are a time for most of us to relax in a luxurious environment, unwinding from the stresses of work and everyday life. Travelling, however, tends to be a bit more of a cultural experience. Most travelers stay in hostels rather than hotels, as they are so much cheaper, and you are more likely to be heading off on a 30-mile trek than you are to be spending 24 hours in a spa! But this kind of thing is all part of the experience. With all this in mind, it is advisable to make sure you are in peak physical condition before you set off on your travels. No one wants to have to drop out of an excursion because they are not fit enough to cope with a long walk, and you don’t want to spend your whole time feeling tired and struggling for breath. In the few months before you go, spend some time making positive changes to your diet and working out a little more. You’ll soon find that you are more than ready for whatever your adventure throws at you!
Managing your period
Periods are something that happens to all us girls, although it can affect us all in different ways. Some of us have very regular periods, while for others, they can arrive at any time. While usually, our periods don’t stop us doing anything in our day to day life, they can be awkward when we are traveling around a foreign country. Plus, if you suffer from painful periods, they can actually hinder your enjoyment of the whole trip. Thankfully, norethisterone can delay your period if you so need it, giving you greater control over when you menstruate. A total lifesaver if you’re planning on doing some deep-sea diving on your trip, or if you just don’t want the hassle of sourcing sanitary products abroad.
Vaccinations
It is a known fact that when you travel to certain countries, vaccinations are required. Some countries have widespread diseases that people from overseas are particularly vulnerable to, so if you are in any doubt about the place you are visiting, check with a health professional what vaccinations you may need. They can be expensive, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. In some instances, you need to have the vaccination performed a specific number of days before you leave for your body to respond to it correctly. So, don’t leave your shots to the last minute!
Continuing medication
When packing for your trip, you might think that there are certain things you can do without, simply to make your bag a bit lighter. The medication you are on, however, is not one of these things. Whether it’s something as every day as birth control to something more serious like an inhaler or an insulin pen, you have to make sure you have all your healthcare equipment with you on the road. There is no guarantee that you will be able to get hold of the medication you need abroad, especially if you don’t speak the language over there. Pack the essentials, and then worry about the weight of your bag after!
