When You SPRING...LIKE TIGGER, but End Up Dragging Like EEYORE
Breathe Easy on Your Spring Adventures
Look at all the lush green popping out!
Yes! It’s finally warming up!!
The Spring equinox has come, time has shifted forward, and the daylight is getting longer. It’s time to get outside and stretch your legs.
Plans have been made to explore and see new things. Maybe a trip to a new place you’ve never been before. The weather is perfect for it, too.
“Let’s go!”
So you set out on a grand excursion with 10 days to get there, see all the sights, and make it back. You step off the plane, a bit tired from the long flight.
“It’s all good. After all, it’s an adventure, right?” you tell yourself. “I’ll head to bed early tonight, and I’ll be good in the morning.”
But all is far from good when you wake up.
POLLEN
Thousands of people travel during the Spring. It’s a great opportunity because the weather is nice, the crowds are small, and the costs are lower.
But one thing most people don’t think about is Spring’s silent partner….pollen!
Everything is waking up from the winter slumber, bursting with blooms!
… But that pesky pollen….aaaa achooo!
That sneeze nearly blew the door down.
And now you’re stuck feeling lousy in a place you don’t know, maybe even in a different country, aaandd you don’t speak their language.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
We’ve been in this exact situation. Our first Spring was rough, especially for
. Neither of us had thought about how seasonal allergies could affect us.We went through it twice in one Spring. We moved from Thessaloniki, where we had nearly gotten through the worst of it, to the mountains of Bansko, Bulgaria, where Spring was barely beginning. It was torture.
And here we are again, two years later, forgetting that we needed to plan for this season. But never again…because I’m putting it in print!
Deana’s Spring Guide to Bouncing like Tigger instead of Dragging like Eeyore.
Here’s what we have discovered from our experiences traveling during the season of sneezes. When you’re done reading this, you’ll be better equipped to navigate through almost any situation during your next Spring excursion.
BE PREPARED
The old Boy Scout motto rings especially true when you head out traveling thousands of miles from home. Before you step foot on a plane, here are a few ideas to boost your health:
Eat a healthy diet - Try to avoid excess sugar as it weakens your immune system.
Stay hydrated - Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Long flights can dehydrate you because the air is dry.
Sleep - Lack of sleep has been shown to weaken your immune system, so getting adequate sleep is very important to stay healthy when traveling.
See your doctor - Check with your doctor to make sure you are healthy before traveling. Ask about immune-boosting vitamins such as Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Zinc.
Be consistent with taking your allergy medicines for at least 2 weeks before traveling and continue to take them regularly. Be sure you have enough to make it home with a few days to spare.
Pack specific medicines to treat illness in your checked baggage. It is better to buy them ahead of time so they are in your suitcase. If you are an American, it is essential to know that the availability and prices of medications are different in Europe. Prescriptions are cheaper here, but over-the-counter meds are more expensive. Dayquil/Nyquil is hard to get in Europe. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are much more affordable when purchased in America.
Bring a written list of all medicines you take
IF YOU GET SICK
Unfortunately, even with the best preparations, you can still get sick. You get exposed to all sorts of germs when traveling. And if it’s spring, you have all kinds of new pollens you’ve never been exposed to. Remind yourself: You’ve done your best.
So, what now?
Grab the meds you packed along and start treatment.
Communication is key! If you’ve traveled with someone, tell them you are not well. Be honest. No one can read your mind. Tell them your specific symptoms so they have as much information as possible in case you need to see a doctor.
If you are traveling alone, write down your symptoms and when they started. You are your best advocate! It will help a doctor understand better if you are too weak to talk later on.
Let your host know you are ill. Whether it’s the hotel receptionist or manager or your AirBnB connection, be sure to communicate that you are sick. Don’t be shy! They are your best resource for getting you the help you need, and someone knows to check in on you.
I NEED A DOCTOR
You can probably ride out your symptoms from the comfort of your hotel room or apartment and still enjoy your trip. But what if your symptoms worsen? What then?
Communicate!
Tell someone you need to see a doctor. You know your body. And only you know when it’s time.
Ask for help finding an English-speaking doctor. We have had excellent success messaging our host for recommendations. They are locals and know the ones they like and trust.
Have someone go with you. Whether it’s your significant other, travel companion, your host, or someone you’ve become friends with where you’re staying, it’s always more comforting to have a support person with you. They can help immensely by being a second set of ears and mouth, especially with a language barrier.
Google Translate is your friend! Honestly! Most places we have been to, including pharmacies, have English-speaking workers. However, sometimes, a specific word might be hard to understand. We’ve seen providers use it just as much as patients. I had an entire conversation in Google Translate with a doctor when I got pneumonia. The technology is amazing! So don’t hesitate to pull out your phone if you need clarification.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You must buy travel insurance.
The number one reason is if you become incapacitated from illness or injury, it covers medical transportation back to your home country, also known as expatriation.
I know of 2 families that suddenly had to raise $50,000-$100,000 for the cost of their loved one’s medical transport back to the United States because the family member had not purchased traveler’s insurance that included expatriation. Save yourselves and your families from a nightmare and buy traveler’s insurance.
For the past 2.5 years, we have used SafetyWing and can say it has worked well for us. If you use this affiliate link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Don’t be afraid to get out in this great, big, beautiful world and see new places no matter what time of year. Life is too short to be dictated by fear.
Just be prepared!
You will never regret it!!
This is so wise. I don't think about illnesses much when I travel. Obviously, this is important to know!