Journeying with Care: Travel Tips for Health Conditions

I received some great feedback on the last article. Keep it coming!

I would like to make a minor correction I received from a French speaker.

In the previous newsletter, I said:

"Do you speak English?" in French (Parles-tu anglais?).

A better way to say that is “Parlez-vous Anglais?”

Use “Vous” instead of “Tu”, because “Tu” is a little too familiar. I don’t want you to offend any French people.

That 5 years of schooling with Google Translate failed me! 🤦‍♀️

The whole point is that locals can usually spot a foreigner a mile away, by the clothes they wear or how they behave. But if you give their language a shot, they'll usually appreciate the effort. It sets you apart from other tourists who don't even try.

Another side note: Let’s wish our fellow traveler, George a Happy Birthday! Thank you for the kind words!

Let’s dive in:

I've received a question from a traveler about how to travel with health conditions.

Sure, there might be a ton of reasons why someone might decide to skip out on traveling.

But…

I'm a firm believer that anyone can hit the road, no matter their age, stage in life, or even hurdles like tight budgets, family commitments, or health needs.

Once they get a handle on a few travel tips tailored to their situation, they're good to go!

Even though I'm fortunate enough to be healthy, I've had my share of emergencies. And I can honestly say, being alone and sick in a foreign land sucks!

So, I'm essentially asserting that these experiences qualify me as an expert. ;)

Embarrassing Example

Side note: I can burn hours perfecting a video edit, and it barely gets any attention. But the moment I post a video of me taking a tumble, it's the best thing ever.

Let’s get back on topic.

If you have health challenges, here are a couple of recommendations to make your trip smoother.:

Take things much slower

Traveling is very taxing on the body. Simple things like flights and switching time zones can knock the body out of its rhythm, and you can get sick as a result. During my trips, it takes me a week or so to regain my energy levels. Of course, I'm running around, being active, and acting stupid. I simply mean that traveling is taxing on the body.

To maintain your energy levels, I recommend heading straight to your hotel room to rest as soon as you land at a destination.

Do not keep medication in checked luggage

It's advisable not to place your essential medication in your checked luggage, as there's a risk of it being lost. This risk heightens, particularly during flights with multiple layovers where lost luggage could potentially take days to be retrieved, if at all. Therefore, it is highly recommended to carry your medication in your carry-on bag or to have it easily accessible at all times.

Get vacation packages

Check out all-inclusive resorts and cruises if you're traveling with health concerns. They've got a crew ready to lend a hand if something happens. Personally, I'm all about that cruise life. Good food, great service, and you're treated like a VIP. Once I start slowing down, you'll catch me hopping from one cruise to another. Don’t worry, the newsletters will still be released on Mondays. ;)

Get travel insurance

God forbid if anything were to happen, who wants medical bills as their souvenirs from a vacation? Moreover, you'll want to be treated as soon as possible and have the freedom to choose your treatment location. Some travel insurance plans, for instance, include medical evacuation coverage, allowing you to be transported back home for treatment instead of being confined to the nearest hospital. I personally use Safety Wing*, but you should find a plan that aligns with your individual needs and priorities. *affiliate link

Prioritize domestic travel

I strongly recommend traveling more within the United States. While I enjoy visiting Europe, it does have accessibility issues. Countries like the Netherlands, with their numerous staircases, could pose difficulties for mobility.

Choose Newer Cities

Try focusing on newer cities when traveling. These places typically have a more up-to-date infrastructure that's designed with everyone in mind. Older cities, though charming and my favorite due to their rich culture, were built before accessibility became a priority. Despite efforts to retrofit them, they may still fall short. We're talking about things like ramps, elevators, and other features that make getting around a breeze. Plus, you'll find that roads and room sizes can be a bit tighter in older cities. So, if you're planning a trip in the U.S., you might want to consider Phoenix over Boston, for example.

Bring family along

Going with family is great. Not only can you create memorable experiences with them, but they can also serve as free porters!

Put those kids to work!

Please don’t feel bad. It’s a small price they have to pay for you giving them some culture.

Do your medical homework

It's strongly recommended to carry your medical information with you at all times in case of an emergency where you're unable to communicate. Using something like a medical bracelet helps ensure that your health information is readily available. You should also map out all the local hospitals, consult your doctor before traveling, and confirm that the local water is safe to drink.

P.S. There’s so much to unpack with this topic that I have more to share. Be on the look out for part 2.

What advice do you have for traveling with health conditions?

Cocktail of the Week

The Hurricane cocktail was invented in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, and is closely associated with the city's vibrant cocktail culture. This iconic drink was created in the 1940s at Pat O'Brien's bar and has since become a popular choice, especially during Mardi Gras celebrations in the Big Easy.

Recipe:

• 2 oz light rum
• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 oz passion fruit juice
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

• Fill a shaker with ice.
• Add light rum, dark rum, passion fruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, orange juice, and grenadine to the shaker.
• Shake well to combine and chill the ingredients.
• Strain the mixture into a hurricane glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with an orange slice and cherry on a skewer.

Random Travel Thought

Life is too short to not travel long distances

Follow me on Instagram.

The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

View Previous Posts