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5 Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

Sep 23, 2024
5 Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling
If you’re not careful, the stress of travel can wear you out and make you susceptible to a range of illnesses. Learn five quick strategies you can use to stay healthy on your next trip. 

Traveling is an amazing way to learn more about yourself and the world around you. But the constant on-the-go nature of a travel adventure can also take a toll on your physical and mental health if you’re not practicing self-care.

At IV MD, we specialize in intravenous (IV) infusion therapies that can help you prepare your body for an upcoming trip. We also offer infusions that help you bounce back faster from long-distance travel and jet lag.

Chaim Mandelbaum, MD, and our experienced team customize infusions that contain the highest quality of ingredients, so you can enjoy lasting results.

Impact of travel on your physical and mental health

You may travel away from home as a way to relax and escape from everyday stressors. While getting away can rejuvenate your spirit, there’s also a lot of stress associated with the journey.

All the arrangements that you need to make with hotels and airlines can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re traveling with multiple people. Being in new environments, eating new foods, and interacting with a lot of different people can also increase your risk for physical illness, including colds and gastrointestinal upset.

Mentally, travel can increase your risk factors for anxiety and mood changes. If you have depression or other mental health challenges, your symptoms can worsen because of the stressors of your trip.

Being aware of these travel challenges can make your journey a lot smoother and give you more freedom to truly enjoy the experience. You can also incorporate the following tips into your travel plans to ensure you take care of yourself along the way.

Ways to stay healthy on your next trip

Amid the chaos of packing and planning, there are several ways to take a proactive approach about your travel health. Here are five quick tips to get you started:

Get a medical checkup

Whether you plan to go far from home or take a road trip that’s just a few hours away, it’s always a good idea to check in with your family physician beforehand.

A preventive health evaluation ensures you’re in good shape for your trip. A visit with your doctor also gives you a chance to get updates on prescription refills and vaccines. 

Before traveling outside of the country, book an appointment several weeks in advance if you need specific travel vaccines that protect against diseases more common outside of the United States.

We also offer immunity infusions for an added layer of protection against colds and other communal illnesses. 

Schedule an energy boosting infusion

Before you take off on your trip, schedule a Myers’ cocktail or energy IV infusion to help revitalize your energy levels and improve mental clarity.

The boost you get from the IV infusion will make it easier to get your gear in order and deal with last-minute travel issues.  You can also schedule an energy infusion with our team when your trip is over to ease into the transition of being back home.

Organize a medical bag and first-aid kit

Unexpected injuries or illnesses can put a damper on your vacation, so plan ahead with an emergency medical kit. Include items like:

  • Prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter inflammatories and pain relievers
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Antacids and antidiarrheal medications
  • Bandages
  • Antibiotic and antiseptic creams
  • Sunscreen

Having a kit handy during an emergency ensures you have what you need when you need it fast. It also helps you save money on your trip.

Stay hydrated

Travel can be exhausting, and if you’re not drinking enough water, you can get sick.

Also be aware that drinking contaminated water can cause serious illness. If you’re traveling outside of the country, research where it’s safe to drink tap water or stick to only bottled water.

Take time to rest

While it can be exciting to be in a new place, it’s vital that you take the time to rest when you feel tired. Exerting too much energy can wear you out quickly and make you susceptible to colds and other illnesses.

After you return home, you can book a vitamin infusion at our IV MD office to help you overcome jet lag or dehydration.

Call IV MD in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York, today to schedule an IV infusion before or after your trip. You can also book an appointment online.