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Between trying to get the best hotel deals to struggling to figure out how you will access your savings account overseas, getting ready for an overseas trip can certainly test one’s organisational skills (read: patience).
And, sometimes, among all of the excitement/stress planning a trip overseas can bring, a handful of important things to tick off your pre-holiday checklist can be overlooked.
Safeguard your health on your (long-deserved) sabbatical by staying ahead of the game with these healthy travel hacks that you can conveniently squeeze into a one-hour lunch break.
1. Protect yourself from one of the most common travel diseases
Making sure you’re actually healthy before you jetset overseas will help prevent you from falling ill while you’re travelling (especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions).
At this time of year, a flu shot is especially beneficial before travelling. You’re at a higher risk of developing flu when travelling; in fact, flu is the most common travel disease that’s preventable via vaccine. Your body creates antibodies between 3-14 days after the vaccination, so it’s best to get your flu jab at least two weeks before you travel. You don’t need a prescription to get a flu shot; you can just head into your local Priceline Pharmacy for your influenza immunisation. If your holiday To Do list is never-ending, you’ll be pleased to know that they accept walk-ins, although it’s advisable to call ahead or book online to avoid having to wait.
If you think you might need other vaccinations ahead of your holiday, book a doctor’s appointment six weeks ahead of your departure date; that way, you can ask your GP about any injections you need for your trip well in advance.
It’s also a good idea to request a letter from your doctor or pharmacist that includes details of any prescription medication you will be taking with you, which is particularly useful if you happen to misplace your meds when you’re travelling and you need to replace them.
2. Shop for your travel first-aid kit
Sure, taking a tumble down Rome’s Spanish Steps or rolling your ankle along one of Florence’s many (beautiful) cobblestone roads isn’t ideal – but it can happen.
Think ahead and pop into Priceline on your lunch break to pick up the products you need for your very own compact (yet crucial) travel medical kit.
What to pack in your travel first aid kit
According to Australia Wide First Aid, these are the things you will find in a typical medical kit, but you can also ask your GP or pharmacist for their advice.
Prescription medications, including medication your GP has prescribed you specifically for your trip (think: medicines to prevent malaria)
Antihistamines
Antiseptic
Antibacterial gel
Anti-Diarrhea tablets
Standard strip bandages
Adhesive Dressings (commonly known as Band-Aids)
Bandages
A cold pack (disposable and instant)
CPR Breathing Mask
Eye wash (sodium chloride 0.9% BP is great for irrigating foreign objects from the eye)
A pack of gauze pads
Non-Latex gloves
Oral Rehydration Salts (these tablets will help keep your fluids up if you’ve had an upset stomach)
Pen and paper
Safety pins
Saline
Scissors
Stingose
Tape (microfiber)
Thermal or ‘Foil’ blanket
Thermometer
Tweezers
3. Equip your carry-on with things that will make your journey much more pleasant
If you’re embarking on a long-haul journey, make your flight a little easier on your skin (and soul) by picking up these travel essentials:
Peppermint oil: Just one drop diluted in water is believed to be able to aid an unsettled stomach, or dab a drop or two behind your ears to soothe nausea. Try In Essence Peppermint Pure Essential Oil, $19.95.
Coconut oil: Travellers have noted that a gentle swipe of coconut oil on the inside and outside of your nostrils will keep your nose from drying out mid-flight. Transfer a small amount of Bioglan Super Foods Organic Coconut Oil, $12.99, into a travel-sized pot to prevent your nose from drying mid-air.
Ginger Chews: Whether you’re flying, driving or boating, ginger has been long heralded as a natural remedy for fighting motion sickness. Try Blackmores Travel Calm Ginger Tablets, $10.99.
For directions, be sure to speak to your healthcare practitioner, and just ensure if you purchase any liquids, that they are 100ml (3 ounces) or less.
4. Organise your traveller’s insurance
Remember when you weren’t supposed to accidentally slip into the Trevi Fountain and break your wrist mid-selfie?
Accidents can happen, which is why it’s vital to book traveller’s insurance before you set off on your holiday.
Spend your lunch break perusing price-comparison websites like iSelect and Compare The Market to find the best-priced insurance deal to suit what you need.
Alternatively, drop into a nearby travel agent to ask more pointed questions about travel insurance; this can be beneficial, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or injury.
For more information on travel medicine services and information, and to log your overseas trip, visit Smart Traveller’s website: www. smartraveller.gov.au.
Brought to you by Priceline Pharmacy
