Kurt Brown knows that some of the best adventures happen off the beaten path. Unfortunately, those experiences are not always well-documented and, as a result, helpful information is not always easy to find. That’s why he created Travel Tip Tank. The website offers travel tips visitors won’t find anywhere else.
Kurt Brown of Travel Tip Tank
Travelling can be as exhausting and physically taxing as it is fun and exciting. As you prepare to travel, consider how you can prioritize your health. These simple tips can save you time lost in illness recovery and research. It starts with taking steps to avoid getting sick.
Be Proactive About Staying Healthy
The best way to avoid getting sick is to take steps to prepare your body and immune system for the trip. If your body is accustomed to a daily workout and a specific diet, don’t stray too far from that routine. For example, if you go to the gym daily, look for a hotel with a fitness center that has everything you need. Purchase a travel water bottle you can keep in your bag, ensuring you always have water and stay hydrated. If you’re traveling for work, stay near your business location so you can walk or bike to meetings. Start taking immunity-supporting vitamins regularly to help keep your immune system strong when you need to travel.
Create Your Own Medicine Kit
There is no way to know exactly what could make you sick when you travel, which is why your best option is to prepare for anything. Purchase or pack a small travel medicine bag and fill it with over-the-counter medications. Start with the basics, such as treatment for headaches, allergies, colds, sinus, stomach pain, gas, and fever. If you have any prescription medications, include those as well. Be sure to keep everything in the original bottles if you intend to fly to your destination to ensure you are compliant with air travel security standards.
Be Your Own Health Advocate
Advocacy is a vital component of health care. Iriss reports that advocacy creates empowerment and independence, allowing you to take control of your own health. One way you can be your own health advocate is to understand your medical records and have a copy of them on you at all times. For example, you can request a digital copy of your records to keep with you. It is best to keep them in PDF form so you download them from anywhere without formatting issues. Keep a copy on your phone, tablet, and laptop in case you need to see a doctor while traveling.
You can even store and access your PDF medical files in an Excel document. It’s easy to embed (import) a PDF into Excel with a few simple steps. This makes them easy to reference if you want to create data charts with your medical data. Data visualization can be helpful for communicating data more clearly.
You should also make sure that you have good health insurance before traveling, especially if you are going abroad. If you are self-employed, covering your own bills can get expensive. If you can join a parent’s or spouse’s policy, that will be much more reasonable. And look for state-sponsored programs that make carrying your own health insurance more affordable, like enrollment through Covered California. When you need to see a doctor, remember to speak up for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask doctors questions and explain your medical history. Keep in mind that a new doctor does not know you as your normal doctor does.
Research Your Destination
Before you travel anywhere, especially internationally, research medical facilities near your destination. This includes understanding how the health care system works in a different country. For example, if you have a chronic health condition, you can search for facilities with doctors and staff who specialize in that condition.
Know where the emergency medical locations are located. You can even map out a route from where you stay and where you intend to visit while in the area. If you want to be extremely thorough, find out about payment requirements and hours of operation as well. Be sure to read reviews and avoid questionable places.
If you find a location during your travels that accommodates your medical needs and that feels like home away from home, consider buying a vacation home there. The idea of a vacation home may seem extravagant, but there are ways to make it manageable. For instance, you can rent it out when you aren’t using it, which may cover most if not all of your mortgage payments. Plus, you’ll save money on travel costs when you return for your many future visits.
Be Prepared and Stay Healthy
Any seasoned traveler knows that avoiding getting sick away from home is somewhat impossible. Regardless, incorporating health and wellness into your travel plans is essential to avoid illness as much as possible. If all goes well, you won’t even need to take advantage of this part of your plan. But be safe and have a good health insurance policy in place before you leave. And if you find someplace new that feels like home, consider the dream of owning your own vacation home. Safe and healthy travels!
Written by: Kurt Brown of Travel Tip Tank
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