HealthyLife Articles

Tag: travel

Destination: Fun

Healthy Travel

Taking a break from it all is good for your health and happiness. Planning ahead, packing smart, and knowing your destination will help you relax and enjoy. Use these tips for a safe and healthy vacation.

* Find out what to expect at your destination – weather, construction areas, and health concerns.

* If you are going outside the U.S., find out if you need any vaccines. Ask your doctor or visitcdc.gov/travel.

* Don’t carry large amounts of cash.

* Make sure you have enough of your medicines. Pack them in your carry-on bag.

* Pack a first-aid kit with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, sunscreen, and bandages.

* During airplane travel, stretch your arms and legs at least every hour.

* Leave valuables at home. Don’t become a target for theft.

* Stay hydrated. If the drinking water is unsafe, choose bottled water. Limit alcohol and caffeine.

* Wash your hands often. Take alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain least 60% alcohol.

* Talk to your family about safety concerns. Don’t let kids wander.

* Supervise your children at all times.

Action Step:Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Immunizations: Your Best Shot Against Infectious Diseases

Healthy Travel

Polio, yellow fever, cholera, malaria, and typhoid are not typical problems in the United States and most developed countries. But outbreaks are common in certain rural or undeveloped parts of the world.

Here’s what to do if you plan to travel outside the United States.

* Be sure you’ve been immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, and mumps. Most people are routinely immunized against these diseases in childhood. You should have a booster shot for tetanus every ten years, however.

* Ask your doctor if he or she recommends medicine to prevent malaria or immunizations against influenza, pneumonia, or hepatitis.

* Contact your doctor or local health department to determine if you need to receive additional immunizations for your trip. Vaccination requirements for specific countries are also listed in the booklet, Health Information for International Travel-The Yellow Book, available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For information, call the CDC Travelers’ Information Line at 1.800.CDC.INFO (232.4636). Or accesswww.cdc.gov/travelon the Internet and select “Travelers’ Health.” You can find out what immunizations are advised for the places you are planning to go to. You can also find out about specific notices and outbreak advisories.

Most immunizations are not required, but are recommended to protect the health of the traveler. Under the International Health Regulations adapted by the World Health Organization (WHO), a country may, under certain conditions, require an International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever from international travelers. A copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination, CDC 731 (formerly PHS-731), may be purchased from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402,http://bookstore.gpo.gov, 1.866.512.1800.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safe Travel For Pregnant Women

Healthy Travel

Expecting to travel before your baby is due? Follow these guidelines.

* Check with your physician to make sure travel is permissible. Travel during pregnancy is least risky during the fourth to sixth months.

* If you’re planning to travel by airplane or train, ask for an aisle seat so you can get to the lavatory more easily.

* Don’t exert yourself to the point of fatigue.

* If you experience motion sickness, get some fresh air or eat soda crackers. Don’t take motion sickness medication.

* If you’re traveling by car, wear a safety belt. It should fit snugly across your chest and hips, not over your stomach.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Traveling

Healthy Travel

The best of travel plans can be ruined if you get sick or aren’t able to deal with health problems on your trip. Discuss your travel plans with your doctor.

Make sure to take enough medicines you need for the whole trip.

Depending on your destination, this may include insect repellant, sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or higher), and face masks.

Find out if and what your health insurance covers if you need medical care during your trip. You may consider purchasing additional travel health insurance. Find out where to go for care, if needed.

Certain vaccines may be required by some countries before you visit them. Find out if and what vaccines are required for places that you plan to travel from the CDC Travelers’ Health Web site atcdc.gov/travel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What To Do If Turista Strikes

Healthy Travel

If you avoid risky food and water and still come down with traveler’s sickness, do this:

* To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of bottled water and rehydrating drinks like Gatorade.

* Drink beverages from original containers that you break the seal to open.

* Don’t take over-the-counter diarrhea medications like Enterovioform or Mesaform available in foreign countries. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these medicines aren’t safe.

* See a doctor if diarrhea continues for more than three days, if you have blood in your stool, or if diarrhea is accompanied by fever. You may need an antibiotic.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Beating Jet Lag

SELF-CARE CORNER

Summer travel plans may take you to places across the globe. While this can be exciting, switching to a different time zone can take a toll on the body.

The body has its own internal clock that tells you when to be awake and when to sleep. This is your circadian rhythm.

If you travel to a different time zone, the clock gets disrupted:

You may be awake when it’s nighttime or want to sleep during the day. This can make you exhausted. Jet lag can also cause:

* Headaches

* Feeling irritable

* Trouble concentrating

* Loss of appetite

* Upset stomach

* Diarrhea

There are some ways to fight jet lag so you can enjoy your trip:

* Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your arrival.

* Avoid alcohol. Some people think a nightcap will help them sleep. But alcohol actually disrupts sleep and makes you more tired.

* Use your travel time wisely. If you’ll be on a plane during the “new” night time, try to rest. Use a sleep mask and ear plugs. Avoid staring at TV screens or other devices.

* Be careful with caffeine. If you must have caffeine, drink it in the new time zone’s morning hours. Avoid it after lunch.

* Get out in the sun. When you get to your destination, go outside if it’s daytime. This will help to tell your body when to be awake.

* Skip naps if possible. Napping could make it harder for you to fall asleep at the correct time. If you take a nap at 6 p.m., you could be awake most of the night.

* Consider melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that your body makes to tell you that it’s time for sleep. Taking melatonin at your new bedtime can help you sleep better. It is available over-the-counter, but ask your doctor before trying it.

Source: National Sleep Foundation

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safe Travels

WELL-BEING

COVID has changed many things in recent years, including the way we travel. No one wants to end up sick on vacation or pass an infection to those around them. Thankfully, there are ways to make travel safer for everyone. A few simple precautions are all it takes.

* Get updated on your vaccines, including COVID and any specific vaccines recommended by your destination country.

* Check the COVID situation at your destination. If community spread is high, you may want to take extra precautions.

* Find out if there are any testing, vaccine, or other documentation requirements at any stage of your journey.

* While masks are not required everywhere, the CDC recommends masking up on public transportation.

* Consider getting a COVID test when you return if you were in an area with a high risk of exposure.

* Be patient and flexible. Everyone wants to get to their destination safely.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Destination: Healthy Vacation

Healthy Travel

Plan ahead to have a safe and fun trip!

You deserve a break. In fact, doctors recommend it. Vacations are good for your health and happiness. Planning ahead, packing smart, and knowing about your destination will help you relax and enjoy.

Do your homework.

Learn about the places you plan to go to. Check out their weather conditions, construction areas, crime rates, and health concerns. Find out what your health insurance plan does and does not cover and if you need extra insurance. No matter where you travel, following these steps could make the difference between a great and a dreadful vacation.

Dos

* Pack a basic first-aid kit.

* Pack all prescriptions and other valuables, such as jewelry in your carry-on luggage.

* Stretch your arms and legs at least every hour during travel.

* Stay hydrated. If the drinking water could be unsafe, choose bottled water.

* Wash your hands often. Take travel-size hand sanitizer gels and cloths.

* Talk to your family about safety concerns. Set rules for the kids.

* Tell a trusted friend or relative your trip schedule so you can be contacted for emergencies.

* Stop deliveries of papers and mail. Or, arrange to have someone pick them up.

* Ask your cell phone provider if you will have coverage. If not, consider renting a cell phone that does.

Don’ts

* Don’t carry large amounts of cash or wear expensive jewelry.

* Don’t let kids wander or swim unsupervised.

* Don’t announce your vacation on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social network.

* Don’t hide the house key under the doormat.

* Don’t leave your pets home alone.

Traveling abroad?

Find out if you need certain vaccines. Contact the CDC Travelers’ Information Line at 800.CDC.INFO (232.4636) orwww.cdc.gov/travel. Ask your doctor, too. Discuss what medications you need to take to prevent and treat illnesses for you and your family.

Action Step

Make a To-Do list. Ask others traveling with you to contribute. Nothing is too obvious to write down. Check off tasks as you complete them.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Pack Travel Snacks

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 3

Pack these items ahead of time. Take them with you when you drive, fly, or take a bus or train. Be sure to pack snacks for kids traveling with you as well. This can help kids get in the habit of packing their own travel snacks. It can also take away your excuse to stop for fast food and buy candy or salty snacks. Use these ideas for a healthy work snack as well. Keep a healthy snack in your desk drawer, locker or fridge, if they need to be kept cold, like hummus or fresh edamame.

* Homemade granola bars. Look for recipes with nuts, seeds, peanut butter, and dried fruit to help keep you full and give you lasting energy.

* Homemade trail mix.

* Peanut butter + apple slices, celery sticks, or whole grain crackers

* Hummus + sliced veggies (celery, carrots, cucumber slices)

* Apple slices with cinnamon

* Almonds, peanuts, walnuts, cashews

* Dried fruit

* String cheese

* Whole fruit, like apples and bananas

* Edamame

* Protein bar

* Small, single-serving boxes of whole grain cereal

* Small square of dark chocolate

Respect Food Allergies

If traveling in a public place (e.g., train, bus, airplane), avoid snacks that contain peanuts. If someone has a severe peanut allergy, you may be putting their life in danger.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Avoid Bed Bugs

WELL-BEING

Upon entering a hotel room, place your luggage in the bathtub or on the toilet seat. Bed bugs can’t crawl up these surfaces and attach to your bags. While in the room, keep luggage on the luggage rack, off the floor. Hard-sided luggage lacks the folds and creases of soft-sided bags making it more difficult for the pests to hide in your bags.

Since bed bugs are large enough to see, check the mattress and bed frame for any signs that the pests have been hiding there. Do you notice any tiny black spots? Spots and stains are good indicators of either a current or prior presence. Pull back sheets, inspect mattress seams and examine any other upholstered items in the room.

Bed bugs are drawn to wood-don’t neglect the nightstand and dresser. If it appears as though the critters have invited themselves into your hotel room, ask the management for another room.

Before packing the car for the trip home, place luggage in large plastic bags and knot securely. Once home, immediately wash all clothing on the hottest temperature setting suggested by the care labels. Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Avoid packing items that can only be laundered on a cold-water setting, suggest The Maids, a residential cleaning service.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026