Taking a holiday or a trip is supposed to be an exciting time, and you want to make sure that you are in the best physical health you can be in to ensure that you enjoy yourself. Different types of trips will require different levels of health, and it goes without saying that all of us take time abroad for different reasons.
A retired couple touring the lakes of Northern Italy will have massively different requirements to a fell runner competing in a marathon event in the Rocky Mountains. With this in mind, there are still some universal truths that we can all stick to. Read on to ensure you are in the best physical condition you can be before taking your next trip.
Trust Your Limits
Everyone has a different level of physical health. It all comes down to age, lifestyle, and overall fitness. While many of us wouldn’t think anything of taking a 5-mile hike, this might be far beyond another person’s capability. Going travelling is a physically taxing experience for anyone. Sitting still for hours on a flight can have serious consequences, so before you even get on a plane, it’s important to know what you can handle.
If you are in any way concerned, it is a valuable exercise to see your doctor for a check-up and have a conversation about what you are planning to do on your trip. Your doctor will be able to run tests on your cardiovascular function and let you know if there are certain things to stay away from. Having that extra level of information will benefit you in the long-term.
Plan Your Itinerary Realistically
A lot has been written in the past about how we can be prone to cramming too many activities into a basic holiday schedule. While it is tempting to see as much as you can when visiting a new place or country, you should always remember that you have booked a holiday to relax. Many people postpone or even cancel holidays because they find the whole experience too stressful!
If you take a step back and ensure that you have accounted for downtime, you will have a more relaxing trip than tearing around trying to tick off as many landmarks as possible. Having that time put aside will be good for managing stress and helping your mental health, overall.
Ensuring You’re Protected
Your health is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted, and you can never plan for what is around the corner. If you consider switching your health insurance cover, you can rest assured knowing that you will be protected from medical costs before you travel. Having pre-existing conditions covered is also a massive help for those who need protection here.
Obviously, travel insurance is a must. There are loads of cautionary tales online that will convince you of its value. It is common sense to have some kind of plan in place to ensure that you are financially protected in the event of a medical emergency abroad.
Taking a trip abroad is something we all should have the opportunity to enjoy. Knowing you are in good health will ensure you get the very most out of your trip.
