Little beats the excitement of traveling abroad. There are new places to see, food to discover and friends to make. Traveling to new countries not only gives you a chance to rest and relax, but also to experience a different way of life and gain a better understanding of the world we live in.
As exciting as long-term travel is, you need to prepare and plan extensively beforehand to make the most of it. You need to research the countries you’ll be visiting, and then plan your itinerary accordingly. Will you be lazing around on the beach or hiking, rock climbing even camping? Will you be sleeping in a hotel or camping? And how often will you be on the move?
You also need to prepare for health concerns when planning long-term travel. Staying healthy can be surprisingly hard when you’re on the road. Early mornings, late nights, strange food and being in transit for an extended period of time can put a lot of strain on your body.
Therefore, you need to have a good level of fitness to endure the rigors of constantly traveling. Furthermore, you should ensure any health concerns you have are taken care of well before embarking on your trip; health concerns to consider include:
Eye health
Good vision is important in allowing you to take in the sights on your trip. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, but think you’ll find them cumbersome while you’re away, laser eye surgery is well worth considering. Getting LASIK surgery done at a qualified eye clinic will correct your vision, giving you the freedom to pursue adventure.
Pregnancy
You are advised to limit your travel, especially by air, if you have passed the 36th week of pregnancy, in order to avoid any complications. The second trimester – 18-24 weeks – is the best time for a pregnant woman to travel. However, you should consult your doctor and obstetrician no matter what stage your pregnancy is at if you’re planning to travel long-term.
Pre-existing medical conditions
You should also consult your doctor before traveling if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This way, they can give you tips on how to manage your condition while you’re away, as well as provide you with required prescriptions to cover the duration of your trip.
Some countries have restrictions on the types of medicines you can being into them, so do your research, and if it looks like there could be a problem, look into alternatives or get a note from your doctor, which might come in handy if you run into any difficulties.
Vaccination
It’s important to get any required vaccinations before starting on your journey. Keep in mind that it might take a few weeks or months for some vaccines to work, so take this into account. Remember to get evidence of the vaccines you received, and to take it with you.
So, as you can see, if you’re going to traveling for a long time, you need to think ahead. It’s always best to have a full medical check-up done a few weeks before your trip in order to identify any health concerns, as this means you can deal with them before you set off.
