When you’re on vacation, it can be easy to let your guard down and indulge in all sorts of unhealthy habits. But if you want to stay healthy while you travel, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Here are a few essential health tips to remember while you’re on the road.

Make Sure You Have Comprehensive Health Insurance Coverage

This is especially important if you’re traveling outside of your home country. Make sure you know what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. It’s also a good idea to get travel insurance to cover things like lost luggage or medical emergencies. If you’re renting a car, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage as well.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind when it comes to your health insurance:

• If you have a specific health condition, ensure you know what the coverage is like in other countries.
• Some insurance plans won’t cover you if you participate in certain activities, like scuba diving or skiing.
• Your insurance might not cover emergency medical evacuation, so purchasing a separate policy is a good idea.

Bottom line: Before traveling, ensure you understand your health insurance coverage inside and out.

Get Your Vaccinations

Depending on where you’re traveling, you might need to get certain vaccinations. For example, if you’re going to Africa or South America, you might need a yellow fever vaccination. If you’re going to Southeast Asia, you might need a typhoid vaccine. And if you’re going to any country with a malaria risk, you should take steps to prevent it.

You can find out which vaccinations you need by talking to your doctor or checking the CDC’s travel website. If you’re doing a lot of international travel, getting vaccinated for things like hepatitis A and B, rabies, and meningitis might be a good idea. So, be sure to do your research before you take off.

Visit Your Dentist

It’s a good idea to visit your dentist’s office before you go on a trip, especially if you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time. This way, you can get any necessary dental work done and avoid potential problems while away.

If you have dental insurance, now is also a good time to use it since you might have to pay more out-of-pocket for dental care in other countries. And, if you’re traveling with young children, bring their toothbrushes and toothpaste so they can brush their teeth twice a day while on the road.

You might also want to pack some floss, mouthwash, and other dental hygiene items to use while you’re away.

Pack a First Aid Kit

You never know when you might need a bandage or some pain medication, so it’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit with you while traveling. You can buy a pre-made kit, or you can make your own. With either option, be sure to include things like gauze, bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain medication, and a thermometer.

If you have any chronic health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, you should also bring along any medication you need. And if you’re traveling with young children, pack some Pedialyte and children’s pain medication, just in case.

Wash Your Hands Often

One of the best ways to prevent getting sick while traveling is to wash your hands often. This is especially important if you’re going to be around a lot of people, such as on an airplane or in a hotel. Use soap and water and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.

If you can’t find a sink to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. And avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. One of the easiest ways to get sick while traveling is by touching something contaminated and then transferring the germs to your face. So, be sure to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.

Eat Healthy and Drink Plenty of Water

Eating healthy while you’re traveling is important, especially if you’re going to be on the go a lot. Eating junk food or not getting enough nutrients can make you feel tired and sluggish. And if you’re not careful, you might end up gaining weight while on vacation.

Pack some healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grain crackers, and yogurt to eat healthy while traveling. And be sure to drink plenty of water. It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re on the go, so drink water often to stay hydrated.

If you’re traveling to a country where tap water isn’t safe to drink, be sure to bring plenty of bottled water with you. And avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and juices.

There you go! These are just a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to staying healthy while traveling. Be sure to do your research before you go, pack a first aid kit and any necessary medications, wash your hands often, eat healthily and drink plenty of water. By following these tips, you can enjoy your trip while staying healthy and safe.