Safe, Healthy, and Stress Free Travel

When it comes to traveling and being on the road, staying healthy isn't always a priority. However, that doesn't mean it shouldn't be important. Whether you are traveling for business or traveling for vacation, here are a few tips for staying healthy:

Traveling out of the Country?

• It is good practice to see your doctor at least 6 weeks prior to your traveling time to make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations.
• Ask your doctor if there are any safety precautions that you should be aware of before you leave. For example, a person dealing with heart failure might need to take shorter flights with more stops to prevent sitting for long periods of time. Others might need to take certain medications to prevent contracting an infectious disease.
• You can use the Internet for general health information for places you will be visiting to see if there are any outbreaks of diseases: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has this helpful website resource, www.cdc.gov/travel.
• If you are taking a cruise you can find your ship’s sanitation inspection scores, www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp.
• WebMD recommends finding out where you can get the best medical care in the region you are visiting. The U.S. State Department's website, www.usembassy.gov, lists every U.S. embassy worldwide and lists some doctors and medical facilities in those countries. Find out if your insurance company will cover you. You may need special travel health insurance.

Stress While Traveling

• Traveling can be stressful, so here are a few tips to keep your stress in check:
• If traveling by air, arrive early before your flight and be sure to check departure times. For domestic flights, it’s recommended to arrive 1 ½ hours early and for international flights, plan to arrive at least 2 hours early.
• Pack security smart. Use a TSA approved lock so your suitcase can be opened as needed without risking damage.
• Dress for security. Remove all metals and stow in your carry-on baggage so you can spend less time in screening.
• Get plenty of rest before traveling, and limit alcohol and caffeine while traveling to help with adjusting to a new time zone.
• Having a patient, happy attitude can also make a difference with keeping stress levels down. Try smiling at those around you to help ease any tension.