Wellness

Wellnesshttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellnessWellnesshttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-prevent-motion-sickness-when-travelingFrom bumpy buses to cruise ship cabins, motion sickness can make for a very unpleasant journey. Here’s how to prevent and treat motion sickness when traveling.2025-02-27T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-prevent-motion-sickness-when-travelinghttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Whether on a bus ride on a twisty mountain road or a boat that rocks a bit too much, motion sickness is an unfortunate side effect of travel. With symptoms ranging from dizziness and headache to actual vomiting, it’s worth knowing what causes it and how to deal with it. Here’s what you need to know before heading out on your next adventure.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#what">What causes motion sickness?</a></li> <li><a href="#how">How to prevent motion sickness</a></li> <li><a href="#remedy">Motion sickness remedies</a></li> <li><a href="#stop">How to stop motion sickness after it starts</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="what">What causes motion sickness?</h2> <p>According to the <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12782-motion-sickness" target="_blank">Cleveland Clinic</a>, motion sickness (also known as travel sickness) is a condition that occurs when your body, eyes, and inner ear send conflicting messages to the brain. This most often happens when your body is still but is being moved around by a boat, car, bus, or some other vehicle.</p> <h3>Seasickness on boats and cruise ships</h3> <p><a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-avoid-illness-on-a-cruise">Cruise ship motion sickness</a> is very common, particularly when the vessel is battling rough waters. On small and mid-size cruise ships, which typically have stabilizers, I’ve often gotten only a headache, but on very small boats (like scuba diving boats speeding out to far-out dive spots), I’ve been ill and even vomited several times.</p> <h3>Motion sickness in cars and on buses and trains</h3> <p>Motion sickness can hit anytime you’re moving, be it on a car, bus, or train, but especially on winding roads. It’s helpful to have a window seat vs a middle or aisle seat.</p> <h3>Airplane motion sickness</h3> <p>Airsickness is most common when <a href="/travel-wiser/survival/is-turbulence-dangerous">turbulence is moderate to severe</a>, but for some travelers (myself included), it’s also a threat during smooth take-offs and landings. I’ve found it helpful to put away my book or screen, lay back, and close my eyes to avoid getting queasy.</p> <h2 id="how">How to prevent motion sickness</h2> <p>Knowing how to avoid motion sickness can save you a lot of headaches (quite literally) and hassle. Here’s how to not get seasick, carsick, or otherwise motion-sick in the first place.</p> <h3>Choose your seat wisely</h3> <ul> <li><strong>On a boat:</strong> A middle seat on the upper deck is best.</li> <li><strong>On a cruise:</strong> It’s not just about choosing between the front or back of the ship – you also need to consider the level. The best spot on a cruise ship for motion sickness is toward the front or middle, on a lower level.</li> <li><strong>On a plane:</strong> The best seat on a plane for motion sickness is in the wing section.</li> <li><strong>In the car:</strong> The front passenger seat is the best, followed by rear window seats.</li> <li><strong>On a bus or van:</strong> Window seats toward the front or middle are best. Avoid the back, which can be bumpier.</li> <li><strong>On a train:</strong> In addition to finding a window seat, ensure that it’s forward-facing, as facing backward can be more problematic.</li> </ul> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/motion-sickness-curvy-road.jpg" alt="A car drives along a curvy road in New Jersey, USA." /> <figcaption>Traveling on curvy roads in a car or bus often causes motion sickness. Image credit: Getty Images / Pie Ball</figcaption></figure> <h3>Other strategies for avoiding motion sickness</h3> <p>Erin Carey ran her PR firm, <a href="https://www.roamgeneration.com/" target="_blank">Roam Generation,</a> from her boat, sailing more than 5,000 nautical miles over four years. To prevent motion sickness, she suggests:</p> <ul> <li>Avoiding coffee before rough passages</li> <li>Avoiding alcohol the night before</li> <li>Taking motion sickness medication an hour before departure so it has time to set in</li> <li>Avoiding reading or looking at screens</li> </ul> <p><em>Heading off on an adventure? Find out <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered">how travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, trip cancellation, or other mishaps.</em></p> <h2 id="remedy">Motion sickness remedies</h2> <p>In addition to being smart about your seat, various remedies exist to help prevent and treat motion sickness. I chatted with Dr. Cristián Franco, the on-board physician with the expedition cruise company, <a href="https://www.adventurecanada.com/" target="_blank">Adventure Canada</a>, about some popular motion sickness remedies. Here’s what he had to say. (Note: always consult with your own physician before taking any medications.)</p> <h3>Over-the-counter motion sickness medication</h3> <ul> <li>Pro: OTC motion sickness tablets like Dramamine are affordable, easy to find, and effective.</li> <li>Con: Dramamine can make you sleepy.</li> </ul> <h3>Prescription medications</h3> <ul> <li>Pro: Some prescription meds like Meclizine work well and are less likely to cause sleepiness.</li> <li>Con: Prescription medication can be more expensive and harder to secure.</li> </ul> <h3>Patches for motion sickness</h3> <ul> <li>Pro: Behind-the-ear patches for motion sickness can be highly effective.</li> <li>Con: They may have multiple side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision.</li> </ul> <h3>Motion sickness wristbands</h3> <p>Do motion sickness bands work? Yes, they often can, but only when applied properly.</p> <ul> <li>Pro: An accupressure wrist band can be helpful for some travelers. These bands are affordable and widely available.</li> <li>Con: They are often applied to the wrong spot, rendering them ineffective. To find the correct pressure point, Dr. Franco suggests laying three fingers across the inside of your wrist and applying the wrist band just below.</li> </ul> <h3>Motion sickness glasses</h3> <p>Motion sickness glasses are googly-eyed frames with holes on each side to protect peripheral vision from becoming sensitive to motion (which is often what brings about the motion sickness). Do they work? According to the Cleveland Clinic, there’s no firm evidence of this, but some people believe they do. This could merely be the placebo effect, but a positive effect, nonetheless.</p> <ul> <li>Pro: They are cheap, easily available, and work for some people.</li> <li>Con: There is no documented evidence of their effectiveness, and they can be uncomfortable.</li> </ul> <h3>Natural remedies for motion sickness</h3> <p>According to Dr. Franco, there are several natural ways to help prevent and minimize the effects of motion sickness.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Fresh air:</strong> If you’re able to (for instance, you’re on a large boat), stepping outside can help. If you’re inside a car or bus, opening a window has a similar effect.</li> <li><strong>Look off to the horizon:</strong> Instead of reading a book or looking at a screen, refocus your gaze on a stationary object in the distance or the horizon.</li> <li><strong>Lie back and close your eyes:</strong> If you have the option, lie down, or at least lay your seat down a bit.</li> <li><strong>Limit water:</strong> Dr. Franco says to not drink too much water because if your stomach is full of liquid, it will move around a lot. Instead, he suggests taking small sips.</li> <li><strong>Eat sparingly:</strong> Because you may not know how your body will react, avoid large meals which you might then vomit up. Having been sick on many rocky dive trips, I can attest to the benefit of having an empty stomach.</li> </ul> <h2 id="stop">How to stop motion sickness after it starts</h2> <p>In addition to the above strategies, Dr. Franco suggested some natural ways to help you feel better if you’re already motion sick.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Ginger ale:</strong> While ginger ale isn’t a cure-all for everyone, it does help some people suffering from motion sickness.</li> <li><strong>Green apples and plain crackers:</strong> Eating these can help settle your stomach.</li> </ul>Getty Images / piola666 11438714759 Getty Images A traveler stands on the deck of an expedition ship looking out over rough seas.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-avoid-illness-on-a-cruiseGetting sick on a cruise can quickly change a trip from fun to failure. Follow these handy tips to stay healthy and enjoy smooth sailing.2025-02-12T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-avoid-illness-on-a-cruisehttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Ocean travel can be a convenient way to reach remote locations, evoking a sense of exploration and adventure and offering unique access to wildlife.</p> <p>But getting sick at sea doesn’t only limit your ability to enjoy specific activities and sights – being on a ship often means limited access to medical care. Whether traveling on a small boat or a large ship, maintaining healthy habits at sea can help ensure a positive experience.</p> <p>In 2024, I spent more than 50 days at sea. My experiences included small boats specializing in <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/scuba-diving-travel-insurance">scuba diving adventures</a> and large commercial cruises. I ended the year crossing the Drake Passage on a mid-size expedition ship designed to navigate <a href="/travel-safety/antarctica/safety-tips-antarctica">polar conditions and sea ice</a>.</p> <p>These are my essential tips to stay healthy while on a cruise.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#common">Most common illnesses on a cruise ship</a></li> <li><a href="#seasick">How to avoid seasickness</a></li> <li><a href="#other">How to avoid other cruise ship illnesses</a></li> <li><a href="#injury">Avoiding injury aboard the ship or boat</a></li> <li><a href="#activities">Preparing for activities</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="common">Most common illnesses on a cruise ship</h2> <p>We’ve all seen dramatic headlines of viruses sweeping through cruise ship populations, confining suffering passengers to their cabins for days on end. The reality is far less sensational. While outbreaks are relatively rare, the proximity of passengers, shared facilities, and constant movement do present an increased risk of contracting illnesses.</p> <p>According to the <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/air-land-sea/cruise-ship-travel" target="_blank">CDC Yellow Book for 2024</a>, the most common complaints among cruise ship passengers are seasickness, followed by common respiratory infections. Shared air circulation makes it easy for respiratory illnesses to spread through air-borne droplets or surfaces.</p> <p>Norovirus and other <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vessel-sanitation/communication-resources/tips-for-healthy-cruising.html" target="_blank">gastrointestinal ailments</a> are among the other common afflictions for ship passengers. These may be caused by contaminated food or water and crowded areas for food consumption. Symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.</p> <p>Finally, sunburn and heat exhaustion can quickly lead to symptoms of dehydration, including dizziness, headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, and vomiting.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/cruise-health/cruise-antarctica.jpg" alt="Travelers stand on the deck of an expedition cruise ship in Antarctica." /> <figcaption>Adventure cruises can bring you close to nature – but far from medical help. Image credit: Getty Images / Andrew Peacock</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="seasick">How to avoid seasickness</h2> <p>Even the most seasoned sailors can feel green when waves get a little too enthusiastic, which is possible on ships and boats of all sizes. While large cruisers are designed with stabilizers to minimize the impact of rough seas, individual sensitivity to motion varies by individual. Ultimately, the best way to limit the chance of seasickness is by being proactive.</p> <p>Both over-the-counter and prescription-strength solutions are available – consult with your doctor to see what they recommend. Variations of dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine, both used to treat nausea, can easily be purchased but may cause drowsiness or dizziness.</p> <p>Test out any medications before embarking on your ocean voyage to assess personal side effects (and how effective they are, if possible). Be sure to pack any medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, in hand luggage to ensure they make it on the ship with you.</p> <p>Natural and alternative remedies include ginger-based supplements and chews. More recently, electronic pulse or acupressure wristbands offer a drug-free and reusable alternative.</p> <p>Don’t wait until you feel queasy to take medications or start other remedies. Once you begin to experience symptoms, minimizing seasickness is much more challenging. Getting fresh air, drinking cool water or ginger tea, and focusing your eyes on the horizon may help.</p> <h2 id="other">How to avoid other cruise ship illnesses</h2> <p>When I spoke with the ship doctor, a 15-year veteran of cruise ship routes worldwide, on my most recent voyage, his advice to avoid most illnesses at sea came as no surprise: practicing good handwashing. This means scrubbing all surfaces of your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds – about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” two full times! Be sure to clean between your fingers and under your nails.</p> <p>In addition to this practice, using hand sanitizer, <a href="/travel-wiser/survival/how-to-stay-safe-and-hydrated">staying hydrated</a>, and being mindful of food choices, particularly raw foods or items that may have sat out a little too long, can all go a long way in helping you avoid getting sick.</p> <p>Staying up to date on vaccinations can help prevent severe cases of influenza, COVID-19, and other communicable illnesses. You should also check the <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list" target="_blank">CDC website</a> or other official sources to see if travel immunizations are recommended for the places you’re visiting.</p> <p>Water on board is typically well-filtered, but you should also be mindful when choosing drinks, including ice, while visiting ports of call.</p> <h2 id="injury">Avoiding injury aboard the ship or boat</h2> <p>One of the most common injuries on a ship or boat is slipping or tripping. So, wearing proper footwear isn’t just a style choice – it’s an important safety move. Save the flip-flops for land-based time and opt for non-slip soles for any on-ship activities. Make use of the hand railings around the vessel and be particularly cautious in areas where there may be water: pools, changing rooms, waterslides, scuba or snorkeling decks.</p> <p>Injuries often occur in passenger cabins, so secure personal items and doors. Pay attention during the “muster drill,” the mandatory security briefing at the start of any cruise or boat trip. Follow <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/cruise-ship-safety-tips">cruise ship safety guidelines</a> to understand how to handle emergencies at sea.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/cruise-health/zodiac-docking.jpg" alt="A dinghy full of passengers pulls up to a live-aboard boat." /> <figcaption>Be careful when entering and exiting smaller vessels for off-ship expeditions. Image credit: Getty Images / Noel Hendrickson</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="activities">Preparing for activities</h2> <p>According to the <a href="https://cruising.org/-/media/clia-media/research/2024/2024-state-of-the-cruise-industry-report_updated-050824_web.ashx" target="_blank">2024 State of the Cruise Industry Report</a> published by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), expedition and exploration itineraries are the industry's fastest-growing segments. Activities include everything from zip lining and <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/kayaking-or-rafting">kayaking</a> to mountaineering and scuba diving.</p> <p>So, it’s essential to come prepared with the correct equipment for such activities, or consider renting equipment, if necessary, from reliable sources. Ensure you have proper medical clearance if required, that you have the right certifications for activities such as scuba diving, and that your travel insurance policy covers any activities you may be considering.</p>Getty Images / Erik Isakson 1519516311 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/traveling-with-food-allergiesFood allergies and intolerances can make traveling to unfamiliar places challenging, or even dangerous. These tips from a frequent traveler will help you be prepared and avoid issues that can ruin your trip.2024-11-15T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/traveling-with-food-allergieshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>I can’t eat garlic. I’m not allergic to it – I won’t die if I eat it, but garlic <em>really</em> doesn’t like me. If I get garlic-sabotaged, it’s straight to bed for me and at least a day ruined.</p> <p>More than <a href="https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/food-allergies" target="_blank">20 million Americans have food allergies</a>, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Food intolerances, like my garlic issue, affect even more people. In Australia, <a href="https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumer/life-events-and-food/allergy-and-intolerance" target="_blank">a quarter of Australia’s population believes they have a food intolerance</a>, according to the New South Wales Food Authority.</p> <p>My garlic intolerance can make eating at restaurants challenging because garlic hides in many things. Traveling, especially in places where I don’t speak the language, is even more tricky.</p> <p>But I won’t let food sensitivities stop me (or you!) from seeing the world. So here are some suggestions for my fellow travelers with dietary restrictions, intolerances, and allergies.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#research">Do your research ahead of time</a></li> <li><a href="#write">Learn it in other languages, and write it down</a></li> <li><a href="#sauce">Beware of sauces and other hidden allergens</a></li> <li><a href="#notify">Notify your travel suppliers</a></li> <li><a href="#snacks">Bring snacks</a></li> <li><a href="#pack">Pack medication or supplements</a></li> <li><a href="#resources">Additional resources</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="research">Do your research ahead of time</h2> <p>You’re already researching flights, accommodation, and <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance">travel insurance</a> – take some time to research common foods in the countries you intend to travel to. For example, South Korea would be particularly challenging for me because garlic is a very common ingredient there. People with gluten intolerance, surprisingly, may fare quite well in Italy. Vegetarians may struggle in parts of South America and Eastern Europe, but will fare much better in Western Europe, Australia, and most of the US. Generally speaking, bigger cities will have more variety, but options may dwindle the more remote or rural you go.</p> <p>“As someone with Coeliac disease I always do my own research ahead of time, so I am aware of what I may or may not be able to eat,” says Dyan Mckie, a Senior Product Manager at <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us" target="_blank">Intrepid Travel</a>. “Plus it helps me prepare if I want to take my own snacks with me. This also sets my own expectations when I am in country. If I know I can't get gluten-free bread then I acknowledge I will be eating eggs or fruit for breakfast most mornings.”</p> <h2 id="write">Learn it in other languages, and write it down</h2> <p>This is particularly important if you have a food allergy. Learn how to say your allergy, dietary restriction, or intolerance in the languages you’ll encounter. But also write it down or print out some <a href="https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-chef-cards" target="_blank">chef cards</a>.</p> <p>Don’t rely on Google Translate in case you can’t find wifi or your phone battery dies. A few years ago, I tried my best to say “no garlic” in Vietnamese, but I couldn’t get the tones of the language right, so I was very grateful for my written translation.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/chefs-card.jpg" alt="A chef's card listing food allergies in Japanese." /> <figcaption>Carrying a "Chef Card" with a translation of your food allergy can make communication much easier. Image credit: Food Allergy Research & Education </figcaption><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <h2 id="sauce">Beware of sauces and other hidden allergens</h2> <p>Sauces are a common culprit for food reactions. Fish sauce and soy sauce are commonly used throughout Asia (even in vegetable dishes) though the menu might not call it out. Travelers with fish allergies should also be careful with tomato and barbeque sauces and some dressings.</p> <p>Travelers with egg allergies should watch out for glazes on pretzels and bagels. People with tree nut or peanut allergies should be careful with veggie burgers, curry sauces, Italian mortadella ham and even some alcohol, such as Bombay Sapphire gin, which contains almonds.</p> <p><em>Planning an overseas adventure? Find out <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/overseas-medical">how travel insurance can help</a> if you get sick or injured while traveling abroad.</em></p> <h2 id="notify">Notify your travel suppliers</h2> <p>For international flights, most airlines offer special meals including vegan, gluten free and kosher. For those with less common food intolerances or allergies, a fruit plate may be a safer, sauce-free option.</p> <p>If you’re traveling with a tour operator or cruise line, be sure to inform them of your dietary restrictions at the time of booking, so they can advise local suppliers and tour leaders.</p> <p>Mckie says that if travelers are unsure about a destination, they can call Intrepid before booking a tour to see whether their dietary requirements can be catered to.</p> <p>Sean Hughes, Head of Sales for <a href="https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_US" target="_blank">Wild Frontiers</a> says that it's important for a tour operator to not only to know your food intolerances, but also the ramifications if you accidentally eat them.</p> <p>“If you're allergic to onions, please also tell us if that means garlic and shallots are out too,” Hughes said. “And knowing the ramifications helps us prepare local staff on the importance and what to do in an emergency. But it also allows us to guide travelers. If a small bit of onion (as a recent example) requires a hospital visit, we might recommend against going to countries where their use in dishes is endemic – or prepare you to expect bland food.”</p> <p>Mckie says “The Intrepid leaders are also a big help in country as they can help ask questions to ensure there is no gluten in prepared meals or can suggest dishes I can try.”</p> <h2 id="snacks">Bring snacks</h2> <p>Sometimes you’ll get stuck without decent food options, especially if <span>you're </span>dining as a group and you don’t have a say in where you’re going. So, bring snacks – in particular, hearty, protein-filled snacks to keep you fuller longer. Protein and granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit travel well. Meat eaters can consider jerky sticks or tuna pouches, just beware some countries like Japan, Taiwan and Iceland restrict the import of meat, including jerky. (So again, research.)</p> <p>Travel Wellness expert John Ayo swears by chia seeds, which are full of protein, fiber, and antioxidants to boost the immune system. He recommends adding chia to your water bottle or smoothie to help you hydrate at a cellular level.</p> <h2 id="pack">Pack medication or supplements</h2> <p>If you have ever had an anaphylactic reaction to food, it’s essential to bring an epi pen and keep it with you at all times. For those with milder allergies, an antihistamine might suffice. And for those of us with intolerances, stock up on Tums, Imodium, ginger, or whatever else helps you manage your symptoms.</p> <p>I always travel with peppermint oil, which I rub on my belly to lessen nausea. IBGard is a great supplement for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new supplements.</p> <p>One caveat for medication: always research your destination to <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/wellness/medications-and-travel">make sure the countries you’re visiting don’t have any restrictions</a> on what you’re bringing. And it’s always best to carry medication and supplements in their original bottles (and carry the original prescription note if you’ve got one).</p> <p>When you’re organizing your supplements, don’t forget your immune boosters like vitamin C, zinc, or elderberry. If you run into trouble finding nutritious food that won’t trigger issues, your immune system could weaken, making you more susceptible to colds.</p> <p>Bottom line: don’t be afraid to travel with dietary restrictions. Advance research and preparation can help keep you safe and reaction-free. Garlic doesn’t like me, and it hides in everything. But I haven’t let that stop me from seeing the world, and neither should you.</p> <h2 id="resources">Additional resources</h2> <p>Food Allergy Research & Education or <a href="https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/tips-international-travel" target="_blank">FARE</a> offers country-specific tip sheets and links to chef cards which include translations of the most common allergens in more than 10 languages.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.monashfodmap.com/ibs-central/i-have-ibs/get-the-app/" target="_blank">FODMAP app</a> helps travelers with IBS with a traffic light system to help identify foods with common triggers.</p> <p><a href="https://www.happycow.net/" target="_blank">Happy Cow</a> helps vegetarians and vegans find friendly restaurants around the world.</p> <p>The US Center for Disease Control, in addition to vaccine recommendations, has food allergy checklists in their <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/additional-considerations/highly-allergic-travelers" target="_blank">online Yellow Book</a>.</p>Getty Images / Silvia Otte 05031517746544-000419 Getty Images A man studies a menu in a restaurant in Greece.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-jet-lag-tips-for-travelersWe all want to make the most of our precious vacation time, but the sleep-disrupting impact of traveling different time zones can cut into that. Fortunately, there are ways to help yourself get over jet lag. Sarah Thomas shares her tips.2025-07-07T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-jet-lag-tips-for-travelershttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Having ping-ponged between my UK homeland and adopted nation of Australia more times than I can recall, plus multiple big-distance trips to the US and elsewhere, I’m well-versed in what a painful drain jet lag can be.</p> <p>For me, jet lag means I’m waking up bright as a button at 5am and then snoozing on the couch by 4pm, as well as experiencing brain fuzziness and a grumpy, irritable stomach. My worst jet-lag experience was when I once flew from Sydney to New York – one of the largest time-zone jumps at between 14-16 hours, plus an easterly direction which is the least desirable (to be explained later). I was totally wrecked for the first week of that four-week East Coast trip. My immune system was ruined and I was sick with a bad cold, my sleep was all over the place, I had no energy and, quite frankly, didn’t know what planet I was on.</p> <p>So, the last thing you want is jet lag cutting into a trip, whether it’s work or pleasure. There are a few steps you can take to minimize the impact, and it helps to understand what causes jet lag in the first place.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#what">What is jet lag?</a></li> <li><a href="#long">How long does it take to get over jet lag?</a></li> <li><a href="#light">Why light is the best way to beat jet lag </a></li> <li><a href="#melatonin">The sleep hormone melatonin can help</a></li> <li><a href="#west">Traveling west is best</a></li> <li><a href="#other">Other ways to avoid jet lag</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="what">What is jet lag?</h2> <p>Put simply, it’s the impact of disrupting your body clock. Although the name suggests it might be fatigue or dehydration from the flight, it’s all down to the way different time zones play havoc with your regular routine.</p> <p>There are lots of tricks that can help to ease <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/long-haul-flight-health">the impact of a flight</a>, such as avoiding alcohol and caffeine, drinking plenty of water, using a sleep mask and earplugs, and making sure you get up and stretch and move around regularly. But the main cause of jet lag is our own natural or circadian rhythms. Our body operates on a 24-hour cycle. This includes responses to daylight and darkness, when we eat, and so on – like a series of collective cogs all in sync with each other.</p> <p>“Everything in your body is timed,” says sleep and body clock expert <a href="https://drkatsleep.com/meet-dr-kat/" target="_blank">Dr. Katharina Lederle</a>. “There is a master clock in the brain and lots of peripheral clocks, such as organs, all over the body. Every clock is responsible for the proper timing of a process in your body, and all these processes are nicely timed with each other.</p> <p>“When you travel across time zones, your body can’t change its inner time so fast, so there is a mismatch or a desynchronization which results in different temporary physical and mental symptoms.”</p> <p>That discomfort includes difficulty sleeping, irritability, gastrointestinal problems and lack of appetite, reduced alertness and mood swings – absolutely not a great holiday vibe.</p> <br /> <div id="EmbeddedAdvert"> <div id="test-advert" class="flexrow callout"> <div id="ad-image" class="overridewith col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sml-12" style="padding-left: 0px;"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travelinsuranceimages/travel-insurance-image.png" alt="" style="margin-top: 0px;" /></div> <div class="overridewith col-lg-8 col-md-8 col-sml-12"><span class="ContentCard-label">Travel Insurance</span> <h4 id="AdHeading">Simple and flexible travel insurance</h4> <p><span>You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance.</span></p> <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/quote" class="button primary" id="embedded-ad-insurance" rel="nofollow">Get a quote</a></div> </div> </div> <br /> <h2 id="long">How long does it take to get over jet lag?</h2> <p>Another sleep expert, <a href="https://researchnow.flinders.edu.au/en/persons/leon-lack-2" target="_blank">Professor Leon Lack</a> from the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health in Australia says re-adjustment is influenced by a number of factors, but as a general rule it’s about a day for every time zone traveled. So, for example, with a Los Angeles to London flight, a current time difference of eight hours, it’ll take eight days to get over jet lag and back to where you’re feeling good during the day and sleeping well at night.</p> <h2 id="light">Why light is the best way to beat jet lag</h2> <p>“Exposure to light at the appropriate time is the strongest re-timer of our body clock,” says Professor Lack. “This can help overcome jet lag more quickly.”</p> <p>So, with a trip where you are traveling to a destination behind your home time zone, for example, it would be ideal to get light exposure in the afternoon and evenings, which has the effect of delaying our home body clock which would ordinarily be in darkness. Professor Lack suggests you could also train yourself in advance, by having light exposure two hours before bedtime for two or three days before travel and delaying bedtime and wake-up times where possible to gradually shift your rhythm.</p> <p>Re-adjustment is also impacted by seasons: for example, during winter there’s less outdoor light and more time spent indoors, so recovery time will be longer than summer.</p> <p>Artificial light can help to reset circadian rhythms, with portable devices like the <a href="https://www.re-timer.com/" target="_blank">Re-timer headset</a> which emits blue-green light and is worn at certain times of the day as an extra tool to help you sync.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/jetlag/jetlag-sunlight-evening.jpg" alt="A male traveler gazes at the river in Bangkok at sunset." /> <figcaption>Seek out late-afternoon sun if traveling to a destination behind your home time zone. Image credit: Getty Images / rudi_suardi</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="melatonin">The sleep hormone melatonin can help</h2> <p>Professor Lack says research has also shown that a low dose of melatonin, about 1mg, can help to re-time the body clock and produce mild sleepiness when trying to sleep at a non-circadian time. Melatonin is a hormone that the body produces two or three hours before bedtime and is our biochemical sign of darkness and sleep. It can be bought as a dietary supplement in the US, but in many other countries, such as the UK and Australia, it is <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/medications-and-travel">a prescription medication</a>. In any case, you should check with your doctor before using it, and it’s best to try it before you fly in case of any side effects.</p> <h2 id="west">Traveling west is best</h2> <p>Traveling east makes us lose time, whereas we gain it going westwards. Flying eastwards requires us to shift the timing of our body clock earlier to match the destination, which our body finds harder to deal with than shifting to later wake-up and bed times, which is what happens when traveling west.</p> <p>In the days before you fly, if you are heading east, give yourself a kick-start to advance your clock by going to bed earlier and getting up earlier.</p> <h2 id="other">Other ways to avoid jet lag</h2> <p>Dr. Lederle says you should also be mindful of caffeine and alcohol which can further impact patterns. “When you arrive in your new place, in their morning when someone offers you a coffee, consider what time it is at home and whether you’d drink one there now. Equally, if it is evening in the new place but morning back at home, I’d resist the urge to drink coffee because it will make it harder for your body to adapt to the new time.”</p> <p>And she adds some final advice for getting over jet lag – try to go with the flow: “While your body clock is adjusting to the new time zone, don’t put pressure on yourself to sleep – the clock takes time to shift.”</p>Getty Images / recep-bg 11388405157 Getty Images A woman sits in her hotel room in the middle of the night, looking out at the city.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-jet-lagWe all want to make the most of our precious vacation time, but the sleep-disrupting impact of traveling different time zones can cut into that. Fortunately, there are ways to help yourself get over jet lag. Sarah Thomas shares her tips.2024-06-18T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-jet-laghttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Having ping-ponged between my UK homeland and adopted nation of Australia more times than I can recall, plus multiple big-distance trips to the US and elsewhere, I’m well-versed in what a painful drain jet lag can be.</p> <p>For me, jet lag means I’m waking up bright as a button at 5am and then snoozing on the couch by 4pm, as well as experiencing brain fuzziness and a grumpy, irritable stomach. My worst jet-lag experience was when I once flew from Sydney to New York – one of the largest time-zone jumps at between 14-16 hours, plus an easterly direction which is the least desirable (to be explained later). I was totally wrecked for the first week of that four-week East Coast trip. My immune system was ruined and I was sick with a bad cold, my sleep was all over the place, I had no energy and, quite frankly, didn’t know what planet I was on.</p> <p>So, the last thing you want is jet lag cutting into a trip, whether it’s work or pleasure. There are a few steps you can take to minimize the impact, and it helps to understand what causes jet lag in the first place.</p> <h2>What is jet lag?</h2> <p>Put simply, it’s the impact of disrupting your body clock. Although the name suggests it might be fatigue or dehydration from the flight, it’s all down to the way different time zones play havoc with your regular routine.</p> <p>There are lots of tricks that can help to ease the impact of a flight, such as avoiding alcohol and caffeine, drinking plenty of water, using a sleep mask and earplugs, and making sure you get up and stretch and move around regularly. But the main cause of jet lag is our own natural or circadian rhythms. Our body operates on a 24-hour cycle. This includes responses to daylight and darkness, when we eat, and so on – like a series of collective cogs all in sync with each other.</p> <p>“Everything in your body is timed,” says sleep and body clock expert Dr Katharina Lederle. “There is a master clock in the brain and lots of peripheral clocks, such as organs, all over the body. Every clock is responsible for the proper timing of a process in your body, and all these processes are nicely timed with each other.</p> <p>“When you travel across time zones, your body can’t change its inner time so fast, so there is a mismatch or a desynchronization which results in different temporary physical and mental symptoms.”</p> <p>That discomfort includes difficulty sleeping, irritability, gastrointestinal problems and lack of appetite, reduced alertness, and mood swings – absolutely not a great holiday vibe.</p> <h2>How long does it take to get over jet lag?</h2> <p>Another sleep expert, Professor Leon Lack from the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health in Australia says re-adjustment is influenced by a number of factors, but as a general rule it’s about a day for every time zone traveled. So, for example, with a Los Angeles to London flight, a current time difference of eight hours, it’ll take eight days to get over jet lag and back to where you’re feeling good during the day and sleeping well at night.</p> <p>Re-adjustment is also impacted by seasons: for example, during winter there’s less outdoor light and more time spent indoors, so recovery time will be longer than summer.</p> <h2>Why light is the best way to beat jet lag</h2> <p>“Exposure to light at the appropriate time is the strongest re-timer of our body clock,” says Professor Lack. “This can help overcome jet lag more quickly.”</p> <p>So, with a trip where you are traveling to a destination behind your home time zone, for example, it would be ideal to get light exposure in the afternoon and evenings, which has the effect of delaying our home body clock which would ordinarily be in darkness. Professor Lack suggests you could also train yourself in advance, by having light exposure two hours before bedtime for two or three days before travel and delaying bedtime and wake-up times where possible to gradually shift your rhythm.</p> <p>Re-adjustment is also impacted by seasons: for example, during winter there’s less outdoor light and more time spent indoors, so recovery time will be longer than summer.</p> <p>Artificial light can help to reset circadian rhythms, with portable devices like the Re-timer headset which emits blue-green light and is worn at certain times of the day as an extra tool to help you sync.</p> <h2>The sleep hormone melatonin can help</h2> <p>Professor Lack says research has also shown that a low dose of melatonin, about 1mg, can help to re-time the body clock and produce mild sleepiness when trying to sleep at a non-circadian time. Melatonin is a hormone that the body produces two or three hours before bedtime and is our biochemical sign of darkness and sleep. It can be bought as a dietary supplement in the US, but in many other countries, such as the UK and Australia, it is a prescription medication. In any case, you should check with your doctor before using it, and it’s best to try it before you fly in case of any side-effects.</p> <h2>Traveling west is best</h2> <p>Traveling east makes us lose time, whereas we gain it going westwards. Flying eastwards requires us to shift the timing of our body clock earlier to match the destination, which our body finds harder to deal with than shifting to later wake-up and bed times, which is what happens when traveling west.</p> <p>In the days before you fly, if you are heading east, give yourself a kick-start to advance your clock by going to bed earlier and getting up earlier.</p> <h2>Other ways to avoid jet lag</h2> <p>Dr Lederle says you should also be mindful of caffeine and alcohol which can further impact patterns. “When you arrive in your new place, in their morning when someone offers you a coffee, consider what time it is at home and whether you’d drink one there now. Equally, if it is evening in the new place but morning back at home, I’d resist the urge to drink coffee because it will make it harder for your body to adapt to the new time.”</p> <p>And she adds some final advice for getting over jet lag – try to go with the flow: “While your body clock is adjusting to the new time zone, don’t put pressure on yourself to sleep – the clock takes time to shift.”</p>GettyImages / recep-bg 01388405157 Getty Images A woman sits in her hotel room in the middle of the night, looking out at the city.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/traveling-with-adhdThe impulsiveness and intensity that comes with ADHD can be a challenge for travelers – but it can also be a benefit. Madelaine Millar shares her tips and coping strategies for managing ADHD while traveling.2024-05-29T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/traveling-with-adhdhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Getting on a plane to the other side of the planet, especially if you’re traveling alone, is an adrenaline-filled experience no matter what. But when your impulsiveness, forgetfulness, sensitivity, and inability to concentrate have caused problems all your life, it can be genuinely terrifying. When I was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of 2022, I worried it meant my newest project – life as a <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/digital-nomads">digital nomad</a> – was doomed to fail. Could I trust myself to juggle the responsibilities and challenges of solo travel, or was I going to find myself broke and sobbing in a train station with nowhere to sleep?</p> <p>But in learning to work with my neurochemistry, ADHD has become one of the coolest tools in my overstuffed carry-on. My intense interests and impulsive approach have found me drinking coffee with a guru in the forests of Nepal, exploring MC Escher’s optical illusions in Amsterdam, diving in a <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/help-save-our-planets-coral-reefs">coral farm</a> off the coast of Honduras, pruning grape shoots at a sustainable winery in rural Texas, and so much more.</p> <p>When you accept the unique challenges of your neurotype and minimize their potential harm, ADHD-friendly travel is not just possible, but genuinely delightful.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#planning">Planning tips for travelers with ADHD</a></li> <li><a href="#meltdowns">Dealing with meltdowns and shutdowns </a></li> <li><a href="#budget">Budgeting with an impulse control disorder</a></li> <li><a href="#medication">Traveling with ADHD medication </a></li> <li><a href="#tips">General ADHD travel tips and coping strategies</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="planning">Planning tips for travelers with ADHD</h2> <p>Brains with ADHD are motivated by <a href="https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-brain-chemistry-video/" target="_blank">interest, novelty, competition, and urgency</a>. Abstract importance or shame won’t get you moving, and thanks to something called <a href="https://psychcentral.com/adhd/pathological-demand-avoidance-adhd" target="_blank">Pathological Demand Avoidance</a>, a sense of obligation can actually make it harder to get things done. So instead of starting with the stuff you “should” book, fall down a rabbit hole about whatever gets you excited. When traveling alone in Germany before diagnosis and medication, I couldn’t concentrate for long enough to book my hostels or busses more than a day in advance – until I found out the world’s largest miniature train museum was in Hamburg, and the novelty and interest gave me the boost I needed to arrange three days of travel plans to go see the museum.</p> <p>Figure out what’s important to organize early, and what you can book on the fly. The first category includes your travel documents and vaccines, and booking most flights. Arranging your travel insurance early is a good idea, too, since it helps ensure you’re covered for <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/cancellation">things that may impact your trip before departure</a>.</p> <p>Depending on your destination, the second category might include hotels, tours, ground transportation, and restaurant reservations. Try listing everything out, from most important to least important, and working your way down until you run out of oomph. Avoid the peak of the tourist season, major holidays, and local festivals to make it easier and more affordable to book these items on the fly.</p> <h2 id="meltdowns">Dealing with meltdowns and shutdowns</h2> <p>When someone with ADHD gets too far outside their <a href="https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/window-of-tolerance/ " target="_blank">window of tolerance</a>, it usually leads to either a <a href="https://chadd.org/attention-article/understanding-meltdowns-the-adhd-volcano-model/" target="_blank">meltdown</a> (a period of extreme emotional volatility, anything from rage to uncontrollable crying) or a <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/adhd-paralysis" target="_blank">shutdown</a> (a period of physical, mental, or emotional paralysis). From the inside, it feels like your brain hit its limit and just stopped working; melting down in Salt Lake City on the eve of three days alone in the desert of the American southwest is still one of the scariest and most upsetting experiences I’ve ever had.</p> <p>First, accept that meltdowns and shutdowns are inevitable for solo travelers with ADHD. Experiencing one is part of your neurochemistry; shame will only make it worse.</p> <p>Next, harm reduction; if your body gets stereotyped as dangerous, a public meltdown could mean getting tangled up with law enforcement, while a public shutdown in a body that gets stereotyped as exploitable could make you a target for pickpocketing or kidnapping. Brains with ADHD may struggle making strings of decisions, but they excel at crisis management, so when you feel a meltdown or shutdown approaching, treat it as the emergency it is. You have one goal: get somewhere safe and private as quickly as possible.</p> <p>Once you’re there, let yourself go. Scream into a pillow, shake your body, lay face down; whatever feels right. Then, start recovering. I follow the 5S method, a modified hangover cure I learned during a study-abroad in Paris: sleep, sip (water), shower, sh*t, snack. Taking care of your body will make you feel more stable and help you to rebuild trust in yourself to handle whatever comes next.</p> <p>Lastly, don’t panic. Melting or shutting down doesn’t mean your trip is a disaster. Once I’d taken care of my body and mind, those three days in the desert were beautiful, meaningful, and tons of fun.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/adhd/dixie-national-forest_utah.jpg" alt="Red rock formations and snowy trails at Dixie National Forest in Utah, USA." /> <figcaption>Dixie National Forest in Utah, USA. Image credit: Madelaine Millar</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="budget">Budgeting with an impulse control disorder</h2> <p>Managing money with an impulse control disorder is <em>hard</em>. What’s more, folks with ADHD often have a chaotic allergic reaction to shame; I once spent $26 on a vegan po-boy to distract from the shame of buying a cross-body bag I couldn’t afford while visiting New Orleans. It can go in the other direction too, like the time I skipped so many meals I felt faint to avoid feeling ashamed about the expensive concert ticket that had brought me to Reno.</p> <p>Start by creating two budgets: what you’d like to spend on your trip, and what you can spend while still meeting your other commitments. Treat the first number like a warning light; there’s no shame in hitting it, but once you do, it’s time to start spending more conservatively. Concentrate your limited impulse control where you really need it.</p> <p>Constantly watching your spending will also tax those limited <a href="https://add.org/executive-function-disorder/#:~:text=ADHD affects executive functioning – the,following through with a task." target="_blank">executive function</a> resources. Instead, create some friction that will prompt you to check your budget on a regular basis. Set a regular phone alarm to open your banking app, or go cash-only and check your budget every time you visit an ATM.</p> <h2 id="medication">Traveling with ADHD medication</h2> <p>This is tricky, because whether medications like Adderall are controlled substances – or legal at all, even with a prescription – varies from country to country. The <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-abroad-with-medicine" target="_blank">CDC recommends</a> checking your destination’s embassy, as well as any countries where you may have layovers, to ensure you’re meds are permitted. You may need to carry a prescription or a doctor’s note, or in extreme circumstances, look into either a different destination or a different treatment plan. Visit your local <a href="https://www.istm.org/clinic-directory/" target="_blank">ISTM travel clinic</a> to find out how to travel with your meds, and to obtain any other vaccinations or preventative medications you’ll need.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/adhd/madelaine-in-thailand.jpg" alt="A solo female traveler stands in front of a waterfall in Thailand." /> <figcaption>The author in front of a waterfall in Thailand. Image credit: Madelaine Millar</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="tips">General ADHD travel tips and coping strategies</h2> <ul> <li>My number one coping strategy for ADHD when traveling alone is emergency high-protein travel snacks. 200 calories and 15 grams of protein have saved me from a meltdown or shutdown more times than I can count.</li> <li>The shame of failing to stay on top of my ambitious schedule to learn fluent Thai meant I didn’t study at all until I was on the plane over, panicking. Avoid that trap by setting your language-learning bar low.</li> <li>Struggling to communicate can trigger <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24099-rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-rsd" target="_blank">rejection-sensitive dysphoria</a>: extreme emotional pain in response to perceived rejection. Knowing this in advance and naming it when it happened helped me to keep trying, instead of feeling absolutely crushed when my terrible airplane Thai didn’t work.</li> <li>When you book any ticket, set a phone alarm. You’ll thank yourself when the “90 minutes: train to Milan” alarm goes off when you've gone time-blind in a cool museum, or forgotten you had a ticket booked at all.</li> <li>Before you leave, start thinking about how to use what works at home for managing ADHD, and <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/how-to-stop-worrying.htm" target="_blank">comorbid conditions like anxiety</a>. Don’t abandon your coping strategies just because you crossed a border.</li> <li>Create a travel uniform. It’s harder to forget your passport when it’s in the same pocket of the same jacket every time.</li> <li>Find a way to track your plans that’s easy enough that you’ll do it consistently. It doesn’t have to be pretty, either; for me, it’s putting every confirmation email I get straight into one huge, messy folder.</li> <li><a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-only-travel-with-hand-luggage">Pack light</a>; you <em>will</em> find stuff you want.</li> </ul> <p>Finally, murder the word “should”. As long as you’re comparing your solo travel experience to a neurotypical archetype, you’ll feel like you’re falling short. Hand over the reins, and your unique brain will spot adventures other people would never imagine.</p>Getty Images / baona 1652882844 Getty Images Passengers rush through a busy airport terminal.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-a-fear-of-flyingAre you a nervous flyer? You aren’t alone. Get expert tips on understanding your fears and how to beat them.2024-03-26T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-a-fear-of-flyinghttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Rachel Murphy, a 50-year-old community manager from Sydney, Australia, says flying is a challenge for her, not least in keeping it together in front of her 10-year-old son.</p> <p>“My kid loves flying,” she says. “He’s a very good traveler and I try extremely hard not to pass my fear onto him. I remember going through turbulence when he was a baby and I was trying to laugh about how bumpy it was and how it was like driving down a bumpy road, while absolutely freaking out in my head.</p> <p>“I don’t think he has noticed how scared I get. Sometimes I’ve tried to hold his hand and he’s been like, ‘I’m OK, Mum!’ I don’t want to say, ‘It’s for me!’”</p> <p>It’s estimated up to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00754/full" target="_blank">40 percent of people</a>, like Rachel, have some sort of fear of flying, or aviophobia. It’s a particularly irrational fear given the safety statistics. In 2019, in pre-Covid times, <a href="https://atag.org/facts-figures" target="_blank">4.5 billion passengers</a> were carried on 46.8 million commercial flights. In that year, there were <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50953712" target="_blank">257 fatalities</a> caused by air crashes, which was also a 50 percent drop on the previous year. The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) says on average a person would have to travel by air every day for <a href="https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2024-releases/2024-02-28-01/" target="_blank">103,239 years</a> to experience a fatal accident.</p> <p>But the reality is air travel can spark all sorts of anxiety and stress – with lots of famous names in the mix showing just how severe and profound the syndrome can be. People such as David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Ben Affleck, and Sandra Bullock, fearless trailblazers at the top of their game who have withstood many other pressures with resilience, are among those known to be overwhelmed by flying.</p> <p>Thankfully, there are many ways to help understand and overcome a fear of flying and get a grip on those runaway anxiety levels. After all, anything that gets in the way of adventures and memories is a fear worth facing, but only in a way that is manageable for each individual.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#cause">What causes fear of flying (aviophobia)?</a></li> <li><a href="#help">Finding help for flight anxiety</a></li> <li><a href="#flight">What to do on the day of your flight</a></li> <li><a href="#destination">Remember the destination </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="cause">What causes fear of flying (aviophobia)?</h2> <p>In simple terms, it could be the mere concept of traveling at 35,000 feet in a tin can, or <a href="/travel-wiser/survival/is-turbulence-dangerous">experiencing turbulence</a>, incidences of which are <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65844901" target="_blank">increasing in line with climate change</a>. People have also been affected by the halt on travel during the pandemic, which has thrown their coping strategies out of whack by making flying unfamiliar territory once again.</p> <p>There are a number of basic triggers for a fear of flying, such as agoraphobia, claustrophobia, or a fear of heights, for example. Former US Air Force and commercial pilot Captain Tom Bunn has been running <a href="https://www.fearofflying.com/" target="_blank">fear of flying courses</a> since the 1980s, retraining as a therapist and developing a number of programs.</p> <p>He says he first got involved in one of the early fear of flying programs when another pilot asked him to help out.</p> <p>“I told him, "No, I don't want to be around a bunch of crazy people," because I thought that anyone who feared flying had to be a bit crazy. He insisted I give it a try and I got hooked: I was surprised to find that everyone in his course was intelligent and highly imaginative. It takes intelligence to think of a thousand things that can go wrong and the imagination to make each one of them seem real.”</p> <p>Captain Bunn suggests that early childhood trauma and feelings of being out of control and unable to escape can build up a store of red flags which trigger stress hormones that can increase to the point where they overwhelm.</p> <p>“At some point, the amount of stress hormones released when we are not in control or able to escape triggers panic,” he says. “For some kids, panic attacks start at puberty when ‘everything’ feels out of control. For others of us, we make it through to adulthood and then, as additional traumas plant more red flags, we – to our amazement – panic in an elevator, in an MRI scanner, or in an airplane.”</p> <p>He says as part of his courses, people are taught information on how flying works, but also techniques to re-code thoughts into positive, comforting feelings, such as thinking of the person they feel most at ease with.</p> <h2 id="help">Finding help for flight anxiety</h2> <p>Some airlines run fear of flying courses, like British Airways’ <a href="https://flyingwithconfidence.com/" target="_blank">Flying with Confidence</a> course (there’s also a top-rated book of the same name linked to it). These can take the form of seminars explaining the nuts and bolts of flying, from how planes fly to common panic triggers like noises or turbulence. These courses can then be combined with a short “experience” flight to put knowledge into practice.</p> <p>Captain Bunn’s website, <a href="https://www.fearofflying.com/" target="_blank">Soar</a>, has access to lots of resources. There are several other online guides too, like an e-book <a href="https://www.paultizzard.co.uk/" target="_blank">written by Paul Tizzard</a> who worked with Virgin Atlantic on its fear of flying program.</p> <p>It could also be worth talking to a therapist about anxiety and coping techniques.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/relaxing-with-headphones.jpg" alt="A man wearing headphones relaxes on a flight." /> <figcaption>Choosing an aisle seat and wearing noise-cancelling headphones can help with flight anxiety. Image credit: Getty Images / Hispanolistic</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="flight">What to do on the day of your flight</h2> <p>There may be a number of small measures you can take to help. For example, booking an aisle seat may help with claustrophobia, allowing you to stretch your legs slightly and easily get up and move around the cabin. You can also speak to the flight attendants on boarding and tell them you’re a nervous flyer so they can keep an extra eye on you and help put you at ease.</p> <p>You might want to avoid stimulants like alcohol and caffeine to help keep nerves calm. <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/long-haul-flight-health">Noise-canceling headphones</a> and essential oils can be part of your anxiety-alleviating armory, too.</p> <h2 id="destination">Remember the destination</h2> <p>Nervous flyers can be left wondering is it all worth it, so it<span>’</span>s important to keep the holiday, visit to friends, or whatever the reason for travel is top of mind. You may even get to where you can enjoy parts, if not all, of the flight.</p> <p>“The really weird thing is that I love the middle bit on long-haul flights,” says Rachel. “I find the cabin cozy and I like the meal trays arriving. I love having long stints of time to read books or work on my laptop.</p> <p>“My favorite flight ever is the five-hour flight from Sydney to Perth because it’s the perfect stretch of time to finish a trashy novel. If a flight is calm and there’s good weather, I’m OK and I can kind of white-knuckle through taking off and landing and enjoy the middle bit.”</p>Getty Images / Ivan-balvan 11280183303 Getty Images A pair of nervous fliers on an airplane grip their armrests tightly.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-travel-safely-during-pregnancyHaving a baby? Planning a trip? Take these extra precautions to ensure you stay safe and well, advises travel writer and mother of two, Joanna Tovia.2025-03-17T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-travel-safely-during-pregnancyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#babymoon">The benefits and challenges of a babymoon</a></li> <li><a href="#flying">Flying while pregnant</a></li> <li><a href="#cruising">Cruising while pregnant</a></li> <li><a href="#healthy">Staying healthy on vacation</a></li> <li><a href="#safe">Staying safe while traveling</a></li> <li><a href="#wrong">If things go wrong</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="babymoon">The benefits and challenges of a babymoon</h2> <p>Having already had one baby, I knew what I was in for during those first few exhausting months – the lack of sleep, the round-the-clock care, the hormonal upheaval – only this time I’d be doing it with a go-go-go five-year-old in tow.</p> <p>A babymoon to Thailand during pregnancy number two seemed like just the thing for some pre-birthday fun and relaxation.</p> <p>It was fun and relaxing and I’m glad we went, but traveling while pregnant (six months along, in my case) meant taking additional care to ensure we all stayed safe and well. I already knew to avoid raw fish and soft cheese (bummer), would obviously be avoiding alcohol (no beachside cocktails this trip), and my vaccinations were up to date – but there were some unexpected hiccups during the trip that dictated what I could and couldn’t do.</p> <p>For starters, I’d forgotten just how hot and humid it could get in Thailand, so the gallons of water my body was already demanding I drink skyrocketed and I found it all but impossible to leave the cool (okay, cold) air of the hotel room during the hottest hours of the day. Even in the early morning or late afternoon, I needed to spend the majority of my time in the pool to stay cool.</p> <p>I was right to be concerned about overheating. According to the <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/07/01/summer-heat-brings-special-health-risks-for-pregnant-women" target="_blank">American Heart Association</a>, heat stroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion can lead to fainting, headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, and dizzy spells in pregnant women, whose bodies are already working hard to support a growing baby. <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/dehydration" target="_blank">Dehydration during pregnancy</a> can affect amniotic fluid levels, prompt the onset of Braxton Hicks (those pesky false labor signs nobody wants to worry about on vacation) and cause other problems for you and your unborn baby.<br /><br />Below are some tips for planning your own travel. The number one tip though it to get <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/">travel insurance</a> and to<a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/whats-covered/pregnancy"> understand how it covers you</a> should something unexpected come up while you are away from home.</p> <h2 id="flying">Flying while pregnant</h2> <p>If your doctor has given you the green light for air travel and you’ve checked the cut-off dates with your airline (some won’t allow you to travel past the 28-week mark, while others draw the line at 36 weeks), most pregnant women can travel safely by plane.</p> <p>Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or placenta abnormalities are <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-travel#high-risk-pregnancies-and-travel" target="_blank">reasons not to travel</a>, according to the Victorian Department of Health, which also advises against travel if you are over 35 and pregnant for the first time. Carrying more than one fetus, or prior pregnancy issues (miscarriage, premature labor, pre-eclampsia) are other reasons to reconsider travel.</p> <p>Try to book an aisle seat for those extra trips to the restroom and request a bulkhead row for the extra legroom it provides. You won’t be seated in an emergency exit row if you’re pregnant, or will be relocated to another seat if a flight attendant sees that you are.</p> <p>Pregnant women are more at risk of <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-travel#risks-of-long-distance-travel-during-pregnancy" target="_blank">deep vein thrombosis</a> (DVT) than others during long periods of sitting (whether on planes, trains, buses, <a href="https://cooperhurley.com/driving-while-pregnant/" target="_blank">or in a car</a>), so walk around when you can, exercise your legs when seated, and drink plenty of water. Wearing compression stockings, as I did, during the flight keeps swelling down and reduces the risk of DVT.</p> <p>Oh, and secure your seatbelt under your bump across your lap <a href="/travel-wiser/survival/is-turbulence-dangerous">in case of sudden turbulence</a>. Our ultra-low-budget, ultra-uncomfortable plane bucked its way through the sky on our return journey to the point that one flight attendant made a sign of the cross and said a Hail Mary.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/pregnancy-airplane.jpg" alt="A pregnant passenger on an airplane." /> <figcaption>Keep your seatbelt fastened in case of sudden turbulence. Image credit: Getty Images / skynesher</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="cruising">Cruising while pregnant</h2> <p>A cruise can be a relaxing way to travel during pregnancy, but there are some important considerations to think about before booking your trip. Cruise lines have different policies regarding pregnant travelers, with many refusing to allow passengers aboard if they have entered their 24th week of pregnancy on the date of embarkation or will do so during the cruise.</p> <p>Always check the cruise line's policy before booking to avoid any last-minute disappointment and bring a letter from your doctor confirming your due date and stating that your pregnancy isn’t high-risk.</p> <p>Keep in mind that river cruise lines are rarely as strict as ocean cruise lines, with many leaving it up to you and your doctor to decide on whether it’s safe for you to go on a cruise.</p> <p>While cruise ships have medical facilities, they may not be equipped to handle pregnancy complications. Choose an itinerary that stays relatively close to land, where access to a high standard of medical care is available if needed. It’s also worth checking if your travel insurance covers pregnancy-related medical care on a cruise, as some policies exclude it.</p> <p><a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-prevent-motion-sickness-when-traveling">Seasickness</a> can be exacerbated by pregnancy nausea, so pack pregnancy-safe remedies like ginger tablets, acupressure wristbands, or doctor-approved motion sickness medication. <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-avoid-illness-on-a-cruise">Be mindful of food safety while onboard</a>, particularly at buffets, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of bottled or filtered water.</p> <h2 id="healthy">Staying healthy on vacation</h2> <p>If you’re still deciding where to go on vacation, we have some suggestions.</p> <ul> <li>Seek out destinations that offer easy access to high-quality medical care.</li> <li>Avoid going to developing countries while pregnant if you can – the risk of traveler’s diarrhea, food poisoning, and other illnesses is higher, and it can be more difficult to find a high standard of medical treatment when you need it. Tropical countries with a risk of malaria, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/zika/" target="_blank">zika</a>, <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/what-you-need-to-know-about-dengue-fever">dengue fever</a>, yellow fever, and other mosquito-borne diseases should be avoided – pregnancy-safe prevention and treatment can be elusive.</li> <li><a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/travel-health-and-hygiene">Food safety precautions</a> are extra important when you’re pregnant, especially when you’re traveling overseas. Avoid ice in your drink, skip the buffet, ensure chicken and meat is fully cooked, and take a pass on seafood, pate, and soft cheeses. Drink (and brush your teeth with) bottled water if you’re unsure of the water supply, or use a water purifier/filter.</li> <li>Check with your doctor and travel insurer before taking part in sporting activities, especially those underwater or at high altitudes. This is not the time for high-octane adventure sports, no matter how energetic you may be feeling.</li> </ul> <h2 id="wrong">If things go wrong</h2> <p>Preparing for the worst before you leave home is the smartest approach, and that includes locating where you’d go for emergency obstetric and other hospital care, finding out <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/whats-covered/pregnancy">what your travel insurance would cover you for</a>, and what (if any) reciprocal agreements are in place for medical care between your home country and the destination to which you’ll be traveling.</p> <p>If you’re taking medication:</p> <ul> <li>Be sure you have enough and plan what you’ll do if you lose it while you’re away.</li> <li>Take medication on board in your carry-on luggage if you can.</li> <li>Pack a first-aid kit containing everything from painkillers and pregnancy multivitamins to pregnancy-safe treatment for diarrhea.</li> <li>Don’t assume medications available over the counter or by prescription are similarly available in other countries – what’s easy to access at home <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/medications-and-travel">may be hard to come by or even illegal in another</a>.</li> </ul>Getty / Sara Monika 1186841950 Getty Images A pregnant woman in a lantern shop.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-plan-an-accessible-family-tripPlanning a family trip, that includes someone with a disability, takes time and patience – but it’s worth it. Here are some tips for how to get started.2021-09-09T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-plan-an-accessible-family-triphttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Family vacations can be hard regardless of who will be joining. On top of trip-planning logistics and unexpected snafus, anytime there are diverse personalities, interests, and priorities, there are bound to be challenges. To many people, the thought of planning a trip that would also be suitable for someone with a disability would be not only challenging, but also anxiety-provoking for everyone involved.</p> <p>My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s five years ago. Initially, her speech was slightly impaired, and she walked unsteadily, but she was still able to move around independently, board airplanes unassisted, climb stairs, and navigate cities without a walker or wheelchair. As the disease slowly progressed, I worried she wouldn’t be able to travel anymore because of how poorly most places accommodate disabled visitors. When I took on partial caregiver responsibilities for her this year, the idea of bringing her on our multi-day family vacation was too stressful to think about – I figured I’d probably have to put her in an overnight care facility instead of bringing her with us. I was wrong. Here’s what I learned.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#patient"> Be patient </a></li> <li><a href="#small"> Start small </a></li> <li><a href="#destination"> Choosing where to go </a></li> <li><a href="#accessible"> Accessible international travel </a></li> <li><a href="#accommodation"> Choosing accommodation for disabled travelers </a></li> <li><a href="#airports"> Navigating airports with a disabled traveler </a></li> <li><a href="#memories"> Creating lifelong memories </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="patient">Be patient</h2> <p><span>Nobody wants to let down their loved ones. If I’m being completely honest, traveling with my mom has been the most difficult, detail-oriented, patience-requiring travel I’ve ever done. Disability activists around the world, such as those supported through the<span> </span></span><a href="https://disabilityrightsfund.org/">Disability Rights Fund</a><span>, are working to create inclusive spaces and policies so that persons with disabilities can experience the world on an equal basis as others. Currently, however, most of the world is not set up for people with disabilities, so it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter challenges. A certain amount of trial and error is to be expected, so do as much research as you can but don’t get too frustrated when things don’t go perfectly.</span></p> <h2 id="small">Start small</h2> <p>Beginner travelers make new-traveler mistakes, but experienced travelers can also make mistakes when they’re in new situations. Although I’ve been a regular solo traveler for 17 years, when I first began traveling with my mom, I didn’t know where to start or where to turn. Terrified of something going wrong away from home, we both slowly got comfortable with the idea of traveling – by starting small.</p> <p>We started with small trips around town – lunch with a friend or to a concert in the park – and experimented with her level of comfort using a walker versus a wheelchair. This experimentation proved crucial; not only did it build our confidence, but it also established a baseline. We knew what my mother was comfortable with, what she struggled with, what obstacles we should be aware of on the trip, and what accommodation to ask for.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/accessible/accessible-museum.jpg" alt="A woman in a wheelchair enjoys an immersive Van Gogh exhibit at a museum." /> <figcaption>The author's mother enjoying an immersive Van Gogh exhibit. Image credit: Cassandra Brooklyn</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="destination">Choosing where to go</h2> <p>Last spring, for our first big trip since her condition deteriorated, we decided to visit Indianapolis, which was driving distance from my family’s home in Milwaukee. A road trip vacation meant we could throw everything we needed in the rooftop carrier and make frequent stops at visitor centers, which usually have bathrooms that are accessible for people with disabilities. I considered my mother’s interests (museums and theater) and called around to see which facilities could accommodate us. In Indianapolis, all the major museums provided free wheelchairs and the city even has an<span> </span><a href="https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-accessibility">Accessibility Guide</a>, which helped us identify potential activities that the whole family could enjoy.</p> <p>In the United States, the gold standard for accessibility is<span> </span><a href="https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm">ADA-compliant design</a>, meaning the walkways, rooms, bathrooms, etc. were designed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Keep in mind, however, that even the most thoughtfully designed places won’t necessarily eliminate all potential challenges (more on that later).</p> <h2 id="accessible">Accessible international travel</h2> <p>International travel is also possible for disabled travelers, but some destinations make the experience a lot easier and more inclusive. Costa Rica has been a global leader in terms of accessible travel, requiring every hotel to have accessible rooms. Many Costa Rican operators, such as <a href="https://accessible.ilviaggiocr.com/">Il Viaggio</a>, are making their most<span> </span>popular activities accessible<span> </span>to travelers with a variety of physical disabilities. So-called “sensitive” walking and hiking trips are available for vision-impaired visitors, as are surf lessons. Amphibious wheelchairs are available around the country, as well as surfing experiences, hanging bridges, and zip line and rafting adventures for travelers who use wheelchairs or who have limited mobility.</p> <p>Travelers who use wheelchairs should look into<span> </span><a href="https://gowheeltheworld.com/">Wheel the World</a>, which provides global travel resources and trip planning support. While its<span> </span><a href="https://blog.gowheeltheworld.com/2021/05/25/flying-with-wheels-wheelchair-air-travel-tips-for-exploring-without-limits/">flying tips</a><span> </span>are mostly geared at travelers in wheelchairs, some of the tips apply to travelers with a variety of disabilities.</p> <p>Airline bathrooms are notoriously cramped, but according to Alvaro Silberstein, one of Wheel the World’s co-founders, if you fly on a Boeing 787, the flight attendants can connect two bathrooms with a special door, which makes the space big enough to get a wheelchair inside. Even if a wheelchair isn’t being used, having the additional space would be extremely helpful when a caregiver needs to accompany the traveler into the bathroom.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/accessible/accessible-cassandra.jpg" alt="A young woman pushes her mother in a wheelchair in front of the Children's Museum in Indianapolis." /> <figcaption>The author with her mother at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. Image credit: Cassandra Brooklyn</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="accommodation">Choosing accommodation for disabled travelers</h2> <p>Consider what your main challenges will be regarding accommodation – are stairs a problem? Loud noises? Cramped spaces? – then work to minimize those potential challenges. Since my mother wouldn’t be able to join all the activities on the trip (such as lengthy walking and biking tours), I made sure the B&B where we stayed had a small balcony in our room and a shared patio where she could relax while she was alone. Though she certainly could have just read in bed in any hotel, being able to read outside on a warm summer afternoon made the experience more of a vacation for her.</p> <p>Keep in mind, no two people are alike and the same goes for travelers with disabilities. Travelers who are visually or hearing-impaired, or who have multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s, are all going to have their own unique challenges. Just because a hotel is ADA-accessible doesn’t mean it will fit your needs perfectly and just because a museum offers a wheelchair doesn’t mean the visiting process will be seamless.</p> <p>Even though my mother and I stayed in an ADA-accessible room, we still encountered challenges. The bed was too high for her to comfortably get in and out of (a frequent problem for many travelers with disabilities), so the hotel made up the daybed for her and I slept in the main bed. In the bathroom, there was a large open area next to the toilet that could accommodate a wheelchair, but my mother doesn’t use a wheelchair in the bathroom, and an additional rail that she could use to support herself would have been more helpful. Now I know to call ahead and ask about rail supports in the bathroom.</p> <p>Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, the founder of<span> </span><a href="https://www.respectability.org/">Respect Ability</a>, says that some hotels and restaurants that claim to be ADA-accessible really aren’t, so it’s best if someone familiar with accessibility requirements can check them out in advance to verify accessibility. When it’s not possible to visit in-person (for instance, when planning an out-of-state or international trip), reading online reviews and speaking with staff on the phone are crucial.</p> <p>Also, be aware that transitioning from a hotel to a car to a museum or restaurant takes a lot more time – and patience – when you’re using a walker or wheelchair (especially if borrowing the wheelchair from the venue). The same goes for visits to the bathroom.</p> <h2 id="airports">Navigating airports with a disabled traveler</h2> <p><span>Mizrahi also suggests speaking with airline and airport staff to see how they can make the experience smoother. “During TSA screening and while in boarding lines, if you let staff know a member of your group would benefit from moving to the front of the line or a quieter line, they can usually help.” Some airports have recently introduced bathrooms that not only accommodate wheelchairs but also have adult-size changing tables for adults that rely on a caregiver.</span></p> <h2 id="memories">Creating lifelong memories</h2> <p>When planning (and enjoying!) an accessible family trip, patience is needed but I promise you, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Since my mother’s condition has made it more difficult for her to participate in family functions such as holiday parties or attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, it was important to me that she be able to join family vacations. Not only would these multi-generation trips be enjoyable for her, they would also become lifelong memories me, my sister, and our kids. </p> <p>While I thought my mother would most enjoy the museums, what mattered most to her were the small things – seeing her grandkids playing at the children’s museum and making friends with kids at neighboring tables when we went out to dinner.</p> <p>She told me that she was really scared to go on the trip but feels encouraged that nearly every place we visited was able to make arrangements for her. “Parkinson’s has changed my life and I worried I’d be cloistered away in my home for the rest of my life. Now I’m going out like a normal person, doing normal things on vacation,” she told me. “It just felt so good to be out with my family.”</p>Il Viaggio 192248133 Getty Images A disabled traveler enjoys ziplining in Costa Rica

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/family-travel-how-to-keep-kids-safe-and-healthyIllness or injury can soon turn a much longed-for family trip into an ordeal. Nomad Joanna Tovia explains how to stay happy and well on the road.2025-04-24T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/family-travel-how-to-keep-kids-safe-and-healthyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The sickening fear of a missing child is not something any parent willingly recollects. My own throat tightens at the memory of my high-spirited toddler disappearing from sight in an overseas shopping mall, and the frantic efforts to locate her – only to spot her in the crowd what seemed like hours later, clutching a stolen toy. The relief is enough to take your breath away.</p> <p>As wonderful as it can be, travel comes with its own set of dangers. If you’re an eternal optimist like me, you may need to keep your positivity in check to optimize the health and safety of your family. Instead of winging it with a “what could possibly go wrong?” mentality, having a plan in place to prevent mishaps and illness – and what steps you’ll take if things do go wrong – can mean the difference between traveling safely and well and returning home from a trip you’d rather forget.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#injury">Protecting kids from crime, injury, and other travel dangers</a></li> <li><a href="#vaccinations">Getting travel vaccinations for your family</a></li> <li><a href="#illness">How to avoid food poisoning while traveling</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="injury">Protecting kids from crime, injury, and other travel dangers</h2> <p>The precautions you’ve learned to take while traveling may not occur to your kids. I’ve been surprised how blissfully unaware my children are that their <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/9-tips-for-keeping-your-luggage-safe">bags could be stolen</a> or that they may be putting themselves in danger by straying too far from our sides.</p> <p><strong><a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage" target="_blank">If your gear is lost, stolen or damaged, learn how travel insurance may help.</a></strong></p> <p>Crossing roads in unfamiliar countries requires extra vigilance (pedestrian crossing rules vary, and it can be downright confusing when cars drive on the opposite side), as do crowded markets, busy visitor attractions, airports, and eateries.</p> <p>Interacting with locals can be a trip highlight, so it’s a balance between teaching kids about stranger danger and encouraging them to converse. Boundary setting can give kids the reassurance they need to travel confidently rather than fearfully. Advise kids what to do if they get separated from you, and where you will agree to meet if separated. Consider having them carry a piece of paper with the name of your accommodation, or wear a GPS tracker for peace of mind.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/health-and-safety-maldives.jpg" alt="A young boy looks across the water from an oceanside patio in the Maldives." /> <figcaption>The author's son Jarrah ln the Maldives. Photo credit: Joanna Tovia</figcaption></figure> <p>YTravel family travel blogger Caroline Makepeace, who has been on the road with her husband and two daughters for the past 13 years, advises seating children in the middle on flights to avoid the potential hazards of flailing limbs in the aisle and to stop children from wandering off when you take a mid-flight nap.</p> <p>Makepeace advises taking your own child seat or safety restraint for car travel, child-proofing accommodation (remove chairs from balconies, lock the door so they can’t escape, secure items that can topple over and cause injury), and packing a <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/first-aid-kit">medical kit</a>.</p> <p><strong><a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/overseas-medical">If you get sick or injured overseas, learn how travel insurance could help for emergency medical treatment overseas.</a></strong></p> <p>Advance planning on daytrips to make sure kids have plenty of water, <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/sun-safety-tips-for-travelers">sun protection</a>, and food is also vital to keep kids happy and feeling well. Children aren’t likely to alert you of impending dehydration or heat stroke, after all. If you’re breastfeeding, research cultural attitudes towards breastfeeding in public before doing so, and plan ahead if it’s likely to be a problem.</p> <h2 id="vaccinations">Getting travel vaccinations for your family</h2> <p>Safeguarding family members against illness and disease can be as easy as a jab or two before you leave home, but the mistake many people make is not allowing enough time before departure. For protection against Hepatitis A, for example, a six-month gap is required between each of the two shots for long-term immunity. In healthy travelers who don’t have this kind of lead time, the World Health Organization says the first shot should provide adequate protection – it just won’t last as long.</p> <p>Vaccine-preventable diseases range from yellow fever and influenza, to rabies and cholera, but which vaccinations you need will depends on where you plan to travel and how old your children are. Babies over six months old can have a flu injection, for example, but typhoid vaccinations must not be given to babies under two years old. Specialized travel health services can advise on which vaccinations your family needs and when.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/health-and-safety-jo-and-jarrah-bangkok.jpg" alt="A mother and son stand with their luggage in a hotel lobby in Bangkok." /> <figcaption>The author with her son in Bangkok. Photo credit: Joanna Tovia</figcaption></figure> <p>Some countries may still require a negative COVID-19 test and/or proof of vaccination for you to be able to enter without quarantining. It’s up to you to keep up with the latest requirements of your destination country as well as what needs to happen when you return home. Vigilance is also required to <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/traveling-safely-when-covid-restrictions-lift">stay safe during your travels</a>.</p> <h2 id="illness">How to avoid food poisoning while traveling</h2> <p>Nothing takes the shine off a trip like a case of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/travelers-diarrhoea-health-tips">diarrhea</a> and vomiting, no matter who in the family it affects. Washing your hands regularly is the best way to avoid gastro, but take more care than you would back home when it comes to eating and drinking, too.</p> <p>The International Travel Vaccination Centre recommends taking a small water purifier to make water safe to drink, avoiding ice cubes, and ordering bottled drinks over those already poured – especially in countries where water- and food-borne illnesses are more common. You can also travel with bottles with water filtration built in, so you can safely fill up from any tap.</p> <p>Eating freshly cooked food is best. If you fancy some fruit, choose a piece you can peel yourself before eating it. High-risk foods include raw, undercooked, or reheated food, salads and cold meats, ice cream, and unpasteurized dairy products.</p>Getty Images / hoozone 1665856444 Getty Images A father holds hands with his young son.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/why-travel-is-good-for-kids-and-familiesA family travel guru reveals how exploring unfamiliar destinations engages a child’s curiosity, builds self-confidence, nourishes creativity, and powers positive change.2020-12-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/why-travel-is-good-for-kids-and-familieshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>At a <a href="/stories/discovery/a-maasai-ceremony">Maasai</a> settlement in Kenya, my daughter Alissa and I listened to a guide, robed in a traditional red <em>shuka</em>, explain the importance of cattle and how women construct the straw, mud and dung huts. When Alissa turned around, she saw a Maasai girl her age. Smiling, each of them pointed to the other’s earrings – tiny, gold studs for the junior safari-goer and dangling, red and blue beaded ovals for Namelok. The girls’ differences instantly melted, revealing two giggly 10-year-olds admiring each other’s jewelry.</p> <p>Connection is key to us as humans. Here’s how exploring new places and discovering the way others live benefits children, families, and society.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#stereotypes">Travel destroys stereotypes and builds understanding</a></li> <li><a href="#global">Experiencing other cultures produces global citizens</a></li> <li><a href="#creativity">Cultural experiences nurture creativity and empathy</a></li> <li><a href="#skills">Meeting the locals adds skills, confidence, and lasting awareness</a></li> <li><a href="#learning">Exploring a destination delivers hands-on learning </a></li> <li><a href="#bonds">Travel shores up family bonds </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="stereotypes">Travel destroys stereotypes and builds understanding</h2> <p>Everyone wants to travel “light.” Kids instinctively do that, leaving the baggage of preconceived notions and harsh judgments on the tarmac. We discovered that young girls delight in pretty jewelry, whether they live in an urban townhouse or a mud hut on the Masai Mara.</p> <p>“If kids are raised with travel, they do not know stereotypes and prejudices,” says Dan Austin, CEO and founder of <a href="https://www.austinadventures.com/">Austin Adventures</a>, a travel company operating trips for families and adults on seven continents. “It makes kids better-rounded individuals,” says Austin.</p> <p>That accepting attitude generates long-term benefits.</p> <p>“When children travel, they become more open-minded to other cultures and people. This carries through to elementary, high school, and college, and later on into jobs,” says Angela Durko, instructional associate professor, Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, Texas A & M University. “I see this in my college students. Those who have traveled have a better understanding of others, are more comfortable with differences, and tend to work better with others.”</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/good-for-kids-christmas-market-svetkid.jpg" alt="A Black family shops for gingerbread ornaments at a Christmas market in Serbia." /> <figcaption>A family visits a Christmas market in Serbia. Photo credit: Getty Images / svetkid</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="global">Experiencing other cultures produces global citizens</h2> <p>“Travel makes kids more compassionate. They see that not every 10-year-old has a cellphone,” says Austin. The awareness that kids in impoverished settings may lack electricity, running water, adequate food, and easy access to education is often the fuel that powers more fortunate youngsters to take action.</p> <p>At 16, Austin’s son Andy helped set up a project in <a href="/explore/southern-africa/namibia">Namibia</a> to supply bicycles to children. “He saw that kids had to walk four to five miles each day to go to school, often stopping on the way to bring water home,” says Austin. Bicycles, practically a birthright for middle-class Western kids, dramatically changed the Namibian children’s commute for the better.</p> <h2 id="creativity">Cultural experiences nurture creativity and empathy</h2> <p>We all want creative and empathic children, and neuroscientist Erin Clabough (author of <em>Second Nature: How Parents Can Use Neuroscience to Help Kids Develop Empathy, Creativity, and Self-Control</em>) explains the science behind fostering those crucial skills.</p> <p>“Empathy and creativity go hand-in-hand. If a child can imagine another’s experience, then he has empathy – the ability to take someone else’s perspective. If children see someone’s suffering and generate an activity to relieve it, then they boost their creativity,” notes Clabough, an associate professor at the University of Virginia. “If we want our kids to develop creativity and empathy, we need to build the neuronal connections that allow them to be creative and empathic. Novel experiences like travel contribute to establishing that by strengthening the synaptic connections between the brain’s hemispheres.”</p> <p>Just as practice improves a child’s skill at throwing a fastball or memorizing the Periodic Table, trips that place kids in new situations nurture their creativity and empathy.</p> <h2 id="skills">Meeting the locals adds skills, confidence, and lasting awareness</h2> <p>Taught by native outfitters, my family and I learned to windsurf in Bonaire and paddle through whitewater rapids in <a href="/explore/central-america/costa-rica/traveling-in-costa-rica-during-covid">Costa Rica</a>. Not only did we laugh our way through spills and splashes, we gained confidence by completing the tasks, however ineptly.</p> <p>Meeting locals in other situations also enriches the travel experience. When the guards at <a href="/explore/north-africa/egypt/wonders-of-upper-egypt">Egypt</a>’s Suez Canal saw then-8-year-old Alissa’s Polaroid camera, they smiled. When she showed them an instant photo of the dirt banks and blue canal water, they waved her closer, dropped their rifles, and bunched together with their arms around each other’s shoulders, morphing from menacing soldiers to a group of mates.</p> <p>Years later, my daughter wrote about that experience for a college entrance essay, explaining how photography’s transformative power made her want to study the art form.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/good-for-kids-rafting-david-madison.jpg" alt="A family enjoys a white-water rafting trip." /> <figcaption>Family experiences like white-water rafting help build confidence. Photo credit: Getty Images / David Madison</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="learning">Exploring a destination delivers hands-on learning</h2> <p>Being there beats reading about it. Walking by flocks of blue-footed boobies and sun-bathing sea lions on the Galápagos Islands is an instant lesson on Darwin’s theory of evolution. Witnessing the geysers, mud pots, and hot springs at Yellowstone National Park gives kids a visual of the earth’s powerful thermal forces.</p> <p>“Travel gives you a sense of organic learning – first-hand knowledge – that a textbook doesn’t. You can teach history in a classroom, but when kids [visit] a battlefield, they can really picture the events,” says Durko.</p> <h2 id="bonds">Travel shores up family bonds</h2> <p>Raising children is a joyous, meaningful, and sometimes difficult task. At home, even the best-intentioned parents may have scant time and patience to be with their kids as they hurry from school to sports practice, to a microwaved dinner before homework and bedtime.</p> <p>But, take a child on a trip, and you have hours of companionship, whether admiring the masterpieces in Florence’s Uffizi Galleries or the thunderous cascades of Zimbabwe’s <a href="/explore/africa/zambia/top-places-to-go-in-zambia-beyond-victoria-falls">Victoria Falls</a>, camping on Canada’s <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/adventure-guide-to-victoria-and-vancouver-island">Vancouver Island</a> or exploring the woodland hiking trails in Virginia’s <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/best-of-the-blue-ridge-mountains">Blue Ridge</a> forests. Being together builds strong family bonds. Those memories last a lifetime, and they help carry children and parents through the inevitable rough patches ahead.</p>Getty Images / Westend61 0995477444 Getty Images A mother and daughter stand before Buddha statues at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple, Ayutthaya, Thailand.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-cope-with-menstruation-while-travelingCassandra Brooklyn shares her tips for menstruating women to travel bravely, confidently and without any leaks, no matter where they are in the world.2020-01-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-cope-with-menstruation-while-travelinghttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Periods never come at a good time, but they are especially inconvenient while traveling. Let’s face it, nobody wants to have stomach cramps or back pain while hiking, and bleeding has never made swimming or camping more fun.</p> <p>When, at 19, I took my first solo trip to Mexico, I was intensely nervous about getting my period in a foreign country. <a href="/explore/worldwide/sustainable-travel-for-women" target="_blank" title="Packing hacks for women travelers">Did I bring enough tampons</a>? What if I ran out and couldn’t find more? What if I soaked through my pad and stained my clothes in a public place? What if I couldn’t find clean bathrooms or there wasn’t a waste bin to throw the pad or tampon in?</p> <p>All of the inconveniences and embarrassments associated with menstruation seemed to amplify in my mind. While I didn’t have any embarrassing moments on <em>that </em>trip, I would later face the various challenges of traveling on my period and thought about how to handle them.</p> <p>I’ve traveled solo for 18 years, and I’m an international tour leader of mostly-female group trips, so I’ve had my fair share of bloody trips abroad. I’ve had to empty my menstrual cup while camping in a forest in Guantanamo, Cuba and in the desert in <a href="/explore/north-america/mexico/southern-baja-beyond-los-cabos">Baja California, Mexico</a>. I’ve gotten my period while hiking in Jordan, where I struggled to get the blood off my hands before re-joining the group on the trail. I’ve run from the ocean in the Caribbean, feeling blood dripping down my legs, hoping that the snorkelers next to me in the crystal-clear water were too focused on the fish to notice my predicament.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#sanitary-items"> Best travel-friendly sanitary items </a></li> <li><a href="#access"> Limited access to medication and sanitary items around the world </a></li> <li><a href="#affect-of-flying"> Does flying affect your period? </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="sanitary-items">What types of sanitary items are best to travel with?</h2> <p>Traveling to a new city or country is not the time to bust out a new pair of shoes that may wind up being uncomfortable, and it’s definitely not the time to pack a new feminine care product you’ve never tried.</p> <p>Go with what you know.</p> <ul> <li>If you always use the same brand or style of tampons or pads, then bring those. If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, give it a test run at home before you travel. Same goes for reusable cloth pads, period panties (reusable, washable underwear made to absorb flow), and reusable menstrual cups</li> <li>For the past 12 years, I’ve been using reusable menstrual cups both at home and while traveling. They’re cheap, convenient, eco-friendly, and take up very little space. I love them so much that I wrote an entire blog post on <a href="https://www.escapingny.com/home/travel-with-a-menstrual-cup" target="_blank" title="EscapingNY">why to use a menstrual cup while traveling</a>. Two popular brands are <a href="https://divacup.com/" target="_blank" title="Diva Cup">Diva Cup</a> and <a href="http://mooncup.com/" target="_blank" title="Moon Cup">Moon Cup</a> and they come in different shapes and sizes. They cost about US $30-40 and can last up to 10 years. I always pack mine in my toiletries bag even if I don’t expect to get my period on a trip because we all know that “Aunt Flow” likes to arrive unannounced</li> <li>Reusable menstrual cups are easy to use but do take some getting used to, just like tampons did when you first tried those</li> <li>Every woman knows that feminine care products fail from time to time, so be sure to pack extra underwear. I keep a travel-size stain remover stick in my toiletries bag that works just as well to get blood off a skirt as it does to get sauce off a shirt</li> <li>Wet wipes (opt for an eco-friendly version like <span><a href="https://amzn.to/367uSVw" target="_blank" title="Amazon">Canny Mum biodegradable wipes</a></span>) are great when you don’t have access to a proper bathroom. They are especially handy to get blood off your fingers if soap and running water aren’t available.</li> </ul> <h2 id="access">Access to pain medication and sanitary items around the world</h2> <p>If you’re prone to menstrual cramps, pack your favorite pain-relief medication, as it may be difficult to find while traveling. In general, it can be more difficult to find all things period-related in rural areas and in developing countries (pads, tampons, wipes, pain pills, herbal teas, and heating pads). Reusable menstrual cups and period panties definitely won’t be on the shelves either.</p> <p>While leading a <a href="https://www.escapingny.com/home/jordantrip" target="_blank" title="EscapingNY">group trip to Jordan</a>, one of my trip participants got her period as soon as we got to Wadi Rum desert, where well-stocked supermarkets and pharmacies aren’t an option. Though <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/jordan/womens-travel-in-jordan" target="_blank" title="Is Jordan safe for women?">Jordan is a safe country for women</a>, it can be a difficult place to find menstrual products.</p> <p>We stayed at a traditional Bedouin desert camp, where all the staff were men (this is common in desert camps). I had an awkward conversation that included some descriptive gestures with a modest Bedouin guide, and asked if he could take me to the nearest village to buy tampons. He assured me that he understood the situation and came back with two packages of wingless maxi pads, which I felt were completely unsuitable for overnight bleeding. We improvised that night and visited the nearest store in the morning.</p> <h2 id="affect-of-flying">Does flying affect your period?</h2> <p>I was terrified the first time I missed my period. It wasn’t just a few days or weeks late; it didn’t come at all for nearly three months. I wasn’t pregnant so I worried something bigger might be wrong. My period is fairly regular (I know this because I use a period tracker phone app), but when I first began traveling significantly for work, my flow was a bit wonky. If you’re worried about something more serious, speak with your doctor, but in my case, I suspect it was to do with my regular traveling.</p> <p>The act of flying itself won’t necessarily affect your flow but travel can be stressful on the mind and body and that stress <em>can</em> affect your period. Traveling breaks up your normal routine by bringing about all sorts of changes in eating habits, sleep, activity level, and stress. These changes – stress in particular – can cause delayed or even missed periods. Trips that are the most likely to cause changes in your period are those that include long-haul flights, significant time zone changes, and those that are especially anxiety-producing.</p> <p>Periods haven’t stopped women from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/09/jennifer-figge-atlantic-swim" target="_blank" title="The Guardian">swimming across the Atlantic Ocean</a> or traveling into space, so there’s no reason why it should stop you for taking a trip. Plan ahead, pack appropriately, and have a bloody good time out there, ladies!</p>Getty Images/lechatnoir 11003489152 Getty Images Solo traveler on the island of Koh Lanta, Thailand

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/is-solo-travel-or-travel-with-friends-right-for-youShould you travel solo? We weigh the pros and cons, with advice from our nomads, on traveling with friends or going alone.2026-01-02T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/is-solo-travel-or-travel-with-friends-right-for-youhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>If you’re dying to see the world, pick your travel companion carefully – you'll be together for a while and will need to match each other's pace, levels of enthusiasm, <a href="/explore">adventure</a> and curiosity. If you're not sure you have the right travel partners, you might prefer to go it alone.</p> <p>Here’s what some of our nomads had to say about <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/cuba/safety-tips-for-solo-female-travelers-in-cuba">solo</a> travel vs. travel with friends:</p> <ul> <li><a href="#friends-pros"> The pros of traveling with friends </a></li> <li><a href="#friends-cons"> The cons of traveling with friends </a></li> <li><a href="#solo-pros"> The pros of traveling solo </a></li> <li><a href="#solo-cons"> The cons of traveling solo </a></li> <li><a href="#group-tours"> Still can’t decide? Try a small group tour </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="friends-pros">The pros of traveling with friends</h2> <p>"I enjoy traveling with my partner. It gives me a sense of belonging in an unknown place. We both enjoy solo days, too, doing what each one of us wants to do.” - Surbhi Mittal, via Facebook.</p> <p>"I enjoy a mixture of both. I'm an introvert, so at times I like being around people and doing things. Other times, I like to be alone and move along at my own pace." – Jodie Branston, via Facebook.</p> <p>"I've traveled all ways: in a group, in a pair, solo. I find a pair is best. As a pair you can entertain each other, you're not too unapproachable so make lots of new friends, and you can decide what you want to do and compromise between the two of you. My favorite travel partner is my boyfriend or my best friend, both of whom are good travelers – organized yet laid back, the perfect travel combo!" – Kate Blanquita, via Facebook.</p> <p>“I enjoy traveling with a friend or more <span>–</span> then you have someone to share adventures and memories with. People don't quite feel the true impact of a story unless they were there.</p> <p>But also understanding one another's boundaries and temperament – if you need day apart, do it.” - Kat Makowski, via Facebook.</p> <h2 id="friends-cons">The cons of traveling with friends</h2> <p>"After my friends started ditching my plans, and people turned the trip into a nightmare and disaster, I started traveling solo. It's been years, and I have never looked back to seek any company.</p> <p>Some of the best experiences I could ever have would only happen being solo. I can tag along with anyone, anytime and still be me.</p> <p>Last year, I left my job and traveled solo through the <a href="/explore/southern-asia/india/crossing-the-himalayas-to-send-an-email">Himalayas</a> for more than three and a half months, in three Himalayan countries. I made new friends from all over the world. I’ll always prefer being solo." – Rajesh Singh, via Facebook.</p> <p>“Traveling with people always sounds like a great idea, but inevitably, differences arise, and I resent the usual lack of commitment to the cause. Solo travel for me.” – Nidia Lorenzana, via Facebook.</p> <p>“As a group, you have plenty of fun, but it can be frustrating trying to please everyone. And you mainly socialize with only that group.” – Kate Blanquita, via Facebook.</p> <h2 id="solo-pros">The pros of traveling solo</h2> <p>“As a solo traveler, you can do as you please, and often make lots of friends as you go.” – Kate Blanquita, via Facebook.</p> <p>"There’s a time for everything. For me, it was good to travel alone. I learned a lot about myself, I became calmer and more flexible with plans. It’s also easier to get to know new people." – Ly Dia, via Facebook.</p> <p>"Solo travel is way better. When I’m by myself, people (especially the locals) seem to be curious as to why I’m there alone. They tend to go out of their way to make sure I enjoy my time there. I have also made a lot of genuine connections with the locals on my solo travels, something <a href="/explore/how-to-break-free-from-the-hostel-bubble-and-go-local" target="_blank">I don't think would have happened if I was with someone else</a>." – Adrienne, via Facebook.</p> <p>"I had the opportunity to visit <a href="/explore/eastern-asia/japan">Japan</a> a few years ago. Being alone forced me to interact with other people in the hostels, make new friends, and talk to strangers. I never felt alone, and had a great time.</p> <p>I spent three months learning the basics of Japanese to speak to the locals, find directions, food or the toilet." – Melanie Audet, via Facebook.</p> <p>“With solo travel, I find myself lost in big cities, and with that experience, I can find my own way through them, and see the ins and outs of a place.</p> <p>I’m more vulnerable to the land and the locals, and I rely on the kindness of strangers sometimes.</p> <p>I can find myself the only foreigner on a <a href="/explore/central-america/guatemala/chicken-buses-and-guatemala-transport">local bus</a> or train, and I have no choice but to engage with the people and learn about the culture.</p> <p>My brain always has to be switched on, and I practically have to count all my steps in a new place so that I don't lose my way – at the end of the day, I only have myself to rely on.</p> <p>This enhances my overall experience in a new country, a new city, and any new place.” - Jenny is Free, via Facebook.</p> <p>“Solo travel allows you to do what you want, when you want, how you want, without having to consult a group of people. It also means you’ll make new friends while traveling.”  Bradley James Paterson, via Facebook.</p> <p>“I enjoy the freedom to decide where to go and when without needing to compromise or work around others’ schedules. It also removes the risk of being let down by others.</p> <p>You’re rarely alone for long – and you’ll meet some interesting characters along the way.” – Nick Harbour, via Facebook.</p> <p>“You’ve got the freedom to choose any itinerary, more opportunities for interesting and thought-provoking conversations with locals, many temporary friendships made on the road, and the uniqueness of being on your own in a strange place – these are just some of the reasons why to travel solo.” – T.C Rusk, via Facebook</p> <h2 id="solo-cons">The cons of traveling solo</h2> <p>“Often, you’ve got no one to share the wonderment you come across, and <a href="/explore/eastern-europe/russia/highlights-of-the-trans-siberian-railway">long journeys</a> can be boring and a little lonely sometimes.” – Kate Blanquita, via Facebook.</p> <p>“After 10 months traveling, I came to really miss sharing experiences with someone, and having a confident person close by.” – Ly Dia, via Facebook.</p> <p>“When things go wrong, it’s easier to solve problems and get past challenges you face if you travel with others.” – Everett Tosetti, via Facebook.</p> <h2 id="group-tours">Still can’t decide? Try a small group tour</h2> <p>"I've done it all many times, and as sad as it sounds, I prefer guided group tours. You get to meet a group of like-minded people, and you get to see so much more in a shorter time – without having to think too much." – Paul Febry, via Facebook.</p> <p>“I like to leave home solo, but meet up with a small tour group. I’ve still got freedom, but I have made some great friends from all over the world.” – Jenny Hughes, via Facebook. </p> <p>"The wisest advice we received? Just travel. Plain and simple. The society we live in causes stagnation, so the only way to ease tension is to travel with or without a companion. Safe travels, just enjoy.” – Nicola Mandaracas, via Facebook.</p> <h3>What do you prefer? Solo travel, or travel with friends or a partner?</h3>iStock/MStudioImages 0700678084 iStock Smiling woman looking at the view from train

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/your-gap-year-is-over-heres-how-to-make-adventure-part-of-your-lifeYou’ve just returned from the trip-of-a-lifetime, and everything is slowly slipping back into routine-mode. Here’s how to prioritise adventure, and make travel part of your normal life back home.2018-11-16T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/your-gap-year-is-over-heres-how-to-make-adventure-part-of-your-lifehttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>After my first multi-month trek around<a href="/explore/destinations"> Europe</a>, I came back home feeling, ironically, lost.</p> <p>It felt wrong not to be in constant motion. There were no new cities to explore, no need to navigate impossible language barriers, and no unfamiliar <a href="/explore/southeast-asia/philippines/street-food">new dishes</a> to try.</p> <p>Here are a few ways I sought inspiration at home to keep my adventurous spirit alive and avoid slipping back into mundane, day-to-day life.</p> <h2>1. Treat your hometown like a travel destination</h2> <p>Curiosity resides in your mind, not on the road. We often become a bit complacent in our hometowns, which means we can easily gloss over a lot of its charms.</p> <p>Treat your own home with fresh, new eyes – just like you did in every new destination you explored. Pick up a book or a travel guide and research your own town or city and its surrounding areas. Check local events calendars. Make a list of must-dos and <a href="/create/learn/photography/6-basic-business-tools-every-travel-photographer-needs" target="_blank">grab your camera</a>.</p> <p>You will most likely have missed a few hidden gems in your very own backyard. Who knows, you may even be inspired to put together a better travel guide of your own.</p> <h2>2. Get around like a tourist</h2> <p>If you have a car, ditch it… at least for a bit.</p> <p>Remember that ingenious way you saved some serious dough when you were traveling by figuring out an elaborate plane-train-ferry-bus journey? Try it at home. Take public transportation. Rent a bike. <em>Walk.</em></p> <p>Get around at home, the way you did when you were away. </p> <h2>3. Write about your travels</h2> <p><a href="/create/learn/writing/journaling-on-your-travels-how-to-for-travel-writers" target="_blank">Put your travel experiences on paper</a> (or screen). Write out the smallest sensory details you remember alongside your biggest revelations and disappointments.</p> <p>Relive the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes through your own words. This can help you fully digest what you did, what you went through, and the complete mind shift that probably occurred during your travels. </p> <p>This can also help you sort out what you really loved and/or hated about a place, your perspectives on the world, and your own relationship with your current location and situation.</p> <h2>4. Become a tour guide</h2> <p>I found a renewed sense of excitement for my hometown when I went out on a limb and applied for a food-tour guide position.</p> <p>I figured I'd never get the job – I'm terrified of public speaking, after all – but my love for <a href="/explore">travel</a>, and the specific type of food the tour is based on (chocolate!) helped me break through that fear.</p> <p>I ended up loving the job. I got to mingle with tourists from around the world, learn and share interesting facts about my city, and meet inspiring local chefs, chocolatiers, and entrepreneurs. Plus, I got lots of free chocolate.</p> <h2>5. Help others plan their trips</h2> <p>Part of post-travel blues comes with the feeling that no one around you quite understands what you're going through. But, your travel adventures have likely inspired many of your friends and <a href="/explore/worldwide/family-travel-how-to-plan-the-perfect-itinerary">family </a>members.</p> <p>Helping your loved ones plan their own trips will help you better connect with them. Heck, you may even discover your next dream destination in the process.</p> <h2>6. Recreate your favorite travel moments at home</h2> <p>This is really a no-brainer, and should definitely start with the taste buds.</p> <p>Seek out your favorite foods and drinks from your travels, or better yet, visit specialty food markets to gather the ingredients to concoct them yourself. Look into food or walking tours in your area (some of these may even be donation-based).</p> <p>Discover what makes your hometown unique. Visit small museums and galleries, quirky bookshops and boutiques, and <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/agritourism">local farms</a>, restaurants, and breweries.</p> <h2>7. Avoid full-time work burnout with mini-holidays</h2> <p>All that effort and planning you put into your adventure abroad can be channeled just as enthusiastically into a variety of mini-holidays.</p> <p>Use your weekends wisely: go hiking, camping, <a href="/create/learn/how-to-plan-for-a-cycling-trip">cycling</a>, or road-tripping – but also take advantage of your vacation time.</p> <p>Did you know that more than half of Americans don't take all their vacation days? Take a few days off here and there for mini mid-week getaways, when crowds and prices shrink.</p> <p>This'll keep you invigorated, and help you save up for your next big voyage.</p> <h3>Have you got any tips to help hold on to that traveling feeling? Share them in the comments below!</h3>Pixabay/Stocksnap 0 Pixabay star gazing from the roof of a car

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-break-free-from-the-hostel-bubble-and-go-localBackpackers tend to stick together. While there’s nothing wrong with that, Nomad Natasha talks about why breaking away from the hostel crowd will make your experiences far more worthwhile.2018-11-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-break-free-from-the-hostel-bubble-and-go-localhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>When it comes to socializing on the road, backpackers tend to stick to their comfort zones – with people who look like them, grew up in similar cultures or cities, or are traveling just like them. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it pays to break out of the <a href="/explore/worldwide/lessons-in-hostel-etiquette-tips-for-first-timers">hostel </a>bubble and seek out conversations with locals.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#branch-out"> Branch out </a></li> <li><a href="#immersion"> Cultural immersion is the way </a></li> <li><a href="#introvert"> Travel advice for the introvert </a></li> <li><a href="#boundaries"> Explore your boundaries </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="branch-out">Branch out</h2> <p><a href="/explore/a-beginners-guide-to-booking-accommodation-for-your-travels" target="_blank">Hostel common rooms</a> are the perfect place to socialize and to find company on the road when you need it – besides, splitting travel costs with your hostel mates works out to be <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/travelling-cheaply-good-for-planet">cheaper</a> for everyone. But, don’t let that restrict you to only following them around the sights in a new city.</p> <p>Like most new backpackers, when I first started traveling, I often found myself making an effort to please my new friends. We would take day trips, split costs, and share incredible experiences. It was great because I never felt lonely. But soon enough, the conversations at every hostel began to feel repetitive. While I did make a few lifelong friends, I also realized that it was mainly through meeting locals that I would learn about life in foreign places.</p> <p>Luckily, today, it’s easier than ever to connect with locals and explore cities through their eyes, rather than as an outsider on a sight-hopping mission. Other than meeting locals the old-fashioned way – by initiating a conversation at a café, bar, or park, or asking the local staff at your hostel for recommendations and tips – you can also connect with locals online through Facebook groups, Instagram, or websites and apps such as <span><a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/users/sign_in?cs_new_fe=true" target="_blank">Couchsurfing</a> and <a href="https://www.eatwith.com/">Eatwith</a></span>.</p> <h2 id="immersion">Cultural immersion is the way</h2> <p>While going from one tourist attraction to the other can give you great photos for Instagram, it’s the cultural experiences in foreign countries that’ll make your travel <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/stories">stories</a> authentic and original.</p> <p>Everywhere, people are proud of their traditions and heritage, and most locals are happy to welcome tourists into their festivals and celebrations – that’s if they get the sense that you’re really going to appreciate deeper cultural immersion.</p> <p>A chance conversation with a girl working in my hostel on an island in the <a href="/explore/northern-europe/sweden">Stockholm Archipelago</a> earned me an invitation to an intimate summer music festival on a neighboring island. As I drank beers and danced to rockabilly with local families all day and night, I felt incredibly lucky to be the only non-local at the festival.</p> <p>Another conversation with my guide from an ethnic tribe in the mountain village of <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/trailblazing-education-through-tourism-in-sapa-vietnam">Sapa</a>, Vietnam found me in her family home, watching as her wrinkled grandmother wrapped me in a traditional dress that she had made, and her younger sisters danced in perfect synchrony to show off their traditional folk dance.</p> <p>It’s nearly impossible to have such unexpected cultural experiences if you don’t talk to locals and express a genuine interest in their ways of life.</p> <h2 id="introvert">Travel advice for the introvert</h2> <p>As an introvert, you often feel out of place in large groups where several conversations are happening at once, but no one seems to be talking to you. But that’s a great opportunity to build a few quality connections and talk to locals.</p> <p>While I often find myself lost and intimidated in hostel common rooms, where there are many sub-groups that have already established a rapport, I find it much easier to approach locals at my hostel, in cafés, or those that might have been my guides on a tour. They’re usually warm and friendly when they see that you’re just asking for tips and recommendations.</p> <p>If this still sounds overwhelming, it can be helpful to connect with locals online before you arrive. Many cities have groups for travelers, where locals share tips and offer to connect with tourists when they arrive and show them around.</p> <h2 id="boundaries">Explore your boundaries</h2> <p>When it comes to exploring new cities, consider doing this through themes like food, history, art, architecture, street art, or music – all of which are more interesting with local expertise. If you like street art, seek out a local who shares the same passion and is knowledgeable about their city’s street art, and ask them to take you along on a tour.</p> <p>If you like food or cooking, find a chef who offers tours of their city, so you don’t just eat at touristy restaurants but also explore food markets and little hole-in-the-wall places that don’t have English menus.</p> <p>A similar food tour that I did with a local chef in Athens remains to be one of my favorite culinary experiences on my travels – it was like exploring the cuisine with a passionate local friend.</p> <p>Local companies, and others such as <span><a href="https://www.contexttravel.com/" target="_blank">Context Travel</a></span> and <span><a href="https://www.withlocals.com/" target="_blank">With Locals</a></span><span>,</span> help you connect with local experts who give guided tours of their cities and are packed with historical and cultural context.</p> <h3>How do <em>you </em>break out of the hostel bubble? Share your stories with us in the comments below!</h3>Stocksy/Alejandro Moreno De Carlos 0203798 Stocksy Selfie Of Group Of Friends Having Fun On The Beach With Sea Of Turquoise Water On The Background

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-avoid-feeling-lonely-on-your-gap-yearIt's normal to feel lonely, anxious, or missing home while you travel. Here are some tips to avoid travel burnout and keep the loneliness at bay.2025-04-24T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-avoid-feeling-lonely-on-your-gap-yearhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>As much as traveling will open your mind, it will also unlock some of your deepest-seated fears and anxieties. Loneliness and burnout are natural by-products of such a potent emotional brew, and they should be treated with the same care and consideration as the travel bug you've set out to squish.</p> <p>To do this while traveling requires a delicate balance of indulging in your comforts and getting out of your comfort zone.</p> <h2>1. Lean on a local support system</h2> <p>Craving human connection is universal. That lone person at the café next to you may be feeling your same reservations, or they might be the door to an exciting new adventure.</p> <p>As an introvert, I know how tough it can be to strike up a conversation, but it's always easiest to start with a simple question. Ask a fellow <a href="/stories/discovery/travelers-share-their-favorite-photos">traveler </a>or local for directions, a recommendation, or a small piece of advice. No matter where you are in the world, most people are happy to share their wisdom.</p> <h2>2. Connect, then disconnect</h2> <p>Take full advantage of the abundant information available on social media, but don't get caught up in it. Instagram can link you to nearby travelers and businesses, while Facebook has numerous groups for travelers and expats in nearly every corner of the world.</p> <p>These mediums have helped me connect with both foreigners and locals to find affordable accommodation, hear about local events, and organize meet-ups and excursions. Once you've connected online, take that socializing to the streets.</p> <h2>3. Find comforts of home in your new destination</h2> <p>Embrace your new destination, but don't reject your roots. Travel offers every form of escape, but it will never let you get away from where you come from.</p> <p>Don't feel bad about enjoying some comforts of home in your new location – maybe that's eating a favorite food, cozying up with a beloved book, or blasting your guiltiest music pleasure. Staying at hostels will guarantee the opportunity for group events and trips.</p> <h2>4. Read and learn about your current location</h2> <p>Part of burnout can come from not understanding the culture of the places you are visiting. Get to know your current location beyond its biggest attractions. Read up on its history, people, and struggles.</p> <p>This knowledge can quickly shift your perspective on where you are and what your purpose is there. Ask locals about their opinion and experience within their country's current climate, too. They can give you up-to-the-minute insight that no book ever could.</p> <h2>5. Eat well and exercise</h2> <p>When you're feeling down, the last thing you'll want to do is eat a sensible salad. But filling your body with nourishing ingredients is exactly what it needs to help you out of that funk. Eat as clean, fresh, and <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/eat-like-a-local-when-you-travel">local</a> as you can – and avoid alcohol for a few days.</p> <p>Boost your serotonin production with good old-fashioned exercise. If there's a gym or <a href="/explore/southern-asia/india/spiritual-travel-in-india">yoga studio</a> where you are, see if they offer a free trial (most do).</p> <p>To get in a little sightseeing while you're at it, some major cities even offer running tours. You can also take to YouTube to find channels dedicated to quick, efficient workouts – no matter how limited your time and space.</p> <p>If that all sounds like a bore, find yourself a dance floor – in your room, at a park, or in a club – and bust a move.</p> <h2>6. Get fresh air</h2> <p>Loneliness can make us want to retreat even more, but the simple act of leaving your room can be a complete energy-changer.</p> <p>Get outside. <a href="/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-plan-for-a-cycling-trip">Rent a bike</a>, go for a <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/essential-hiking-safety-tips">hike</a>, read at a park, bum at the beach, run, walk, <a href="/explore/oceania/palau/kayaking-palaus-rock-islands">kayak</a>, <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/why-a-swimming-holiday-is-sustainable">swim</a>, ski. And even if it's the dead of winter, a slap of brisk wind on the face can be a welcome relief to nursing your woes cooped up inside. Also, joining an activity tour with others is a great way to meet people</p> <h2>7. Take time off</h2> <p>It's tempting to want to take full advantage of every minute you have in a location, but don't force it – that's a surefire way to burn out.</p> <p>If possible, schedule in a relaxation day or two in each place you plan to visit. A good rule of thumb is to take at least two down days for every two weeks you're on the road. Or, if you can, <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-beauty-of-slow-travel">plant yourself in one location</a> for a few weeks to experience even the slightest sense of stability and familiarity.</p>iStock/emrahkarakoc 0509910530 iStock Man walks alone on Snow

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/long-haul-flight-healthLong-haul flights can take a toll on your body and if you're not prepared, make you feel ill even after you land. Here are our tips to help you arrive feeling fresh.2024-11-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/long-haul-flight-healthhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>As <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/your-guide-to-greener-air-travel">aviation technology advances</a>, we are seeing more non-stop flights being offered, promising to shorten flight times. However, there is still a long way to go. For now, travelers need to catch flights up to 18 hours long, or even multiple flights to get to and from destinations that are thousands of miles away.</p> <p>Long-haul flights take a toll on us mentally and physically. Here are a few things to know about how flying affects our bodies, and how to stay healthy on your long-haul flight.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#body"> What does a long flight do to your body?</a></li> <li><a href="#tips">Tips to stay healthy</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="body">What does a long flight do to your body?</h2> <div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;"><iframe width="300" height="150" style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/943487449?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" title="Travel Wiser | Long Haul Flights"></iframe></div> <script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script> <h3><br />Our blood oxygen saturation level drops</h3> <p>Oxygen levels in the air decrease at higher elevations. So, although airlines pressurize the air in the cabins, <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dehydration-exhaustion-and-gas-what-flying-on-an-airplane-does-to-your-body" target="_blank">the air pressure is less than it would be at sea level</a>, which means our blood oxygen levels are reduced (hypoxia). This can lead to sleepiness, a lack of mental alertness and sometimes, headaches. Sitting down for long periods on a flight compounds this issue due to lack of circulation.</p> <h3>Our circadian rhythm gets messed with</h3> <p>Jet lag is a mix-up between our body clock (which regulates everything from our brain function to when we need to use the bathroom) and the real-time destination we are traveling to. Our circadian rhythm can only be reset for up to 90 minutes every 24 hours, and the lack of light exposure on the plane <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-jet-lag-tips-for-travelers">adds to the effects of jet lag</a>. Traveling east is harder than traveling west, as it fights against the normal body-clock process. Fir full recovery, you need one day for each hour of time zone difference between where you are traveling from and to.</p> <h3>Blood pools in our lower extremities</h3> <p>Due to the lack of circulation in our bodies, blood will pool in our legs and feet. This causes swelling, and can lead to blood clots and <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557" target="_blank">deep vein thrombosis</a>, which can be life-threatening. That's why it's important to get up and move around frequently when flying. </p> <h3>We get bloated and gassy</h3> <p>At altitude, gases in our body expand, leaving our stomachs and abdomens feeling full and bloated. Gases at altitude also affect our ability to hear, creating the popping effect and a pressurized feeling in our ears on take-off and landing. On the descent, the eustachian tube doesn't react fast enough which is why our ears hurt from the pressure change.</p> <h3>We end up dehydrated</h3> <p>Airplanes pull air from outside the plane into the cabin during flight. At this elevation, air has almost no moisture. Because the cabin air is so dry <span>(</span><span>as low as 5% humidity)</span>, our skin begins to lose moisture and in turn, the rest of our body. Dehydration also exposes you to potential bacteria and viruses as your mucus membranes, which provide a natural barrier, dry out.</p> <h3>We get exposed to germs</h3> <p>Flying on a plane can sometimes feel like you are stuck in a cigar-shaped petri dish. Fellow passengers may be coughing or sneezing, and there are only a few bathrooms for multiple bathrooms. A 2014 study by Auburn University in Alabama discovered that bacteria such as staph and e-coli <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-germs-can-live-in-aircraft-cabins-for-a-week/" target="_blank">can survive for up to a week</a> in a plane on cabin surfaces, armrests, tray tables and other spots. </p> <p><em>Planning an overseas adventure? Find out <a href="/travel-insurance">how travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, trip cancellation, sudden illness, or other mishaps.</em></p> <h2 id="tips">Tips to stay healthy on a long-haul flight</h2> <h3>Get comfortable</h3> <p>If you're stuck in the plane for 14 hours you may as well settle in and get comfy. Consider what you plan to wear (loose-fitting clothing is ideal) and where you want to sit before you get on the plane so you can relax without feeling restricted. Washing your face and brushing your teeth before sleeping can help you feel more relaxed. Planes get cold and not every airline will offer a blanket, so pack a sarong, shawl or light blanket plus socks and slippers. Don't forget the eyemask and neck pillow.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> wear your seat belt over your blanket so the flight crew doesn't disturb you if the seat belt sign comes on after you have fallen asleep.</p> <h3>Wear compression socks</h3> <p>These are available in lengths that go your knee or all the way up to your hip. They keep the blood from pooling in your lower leg and your feet, helping prevent swelling and achiness.</p> <h3>Block the noise</h3> <p>Sleeping on planes isn't always easy, so grab some earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to drown out the droning noise of the plane and that guy who is snoring in the nearby row.</p> <h3>Stay hydrated</h3> <p>While drinking plenty of water hydrates you, your full bladder also nudges you to get up and visit the bathroom. Drink alcohol in moderation and limit your caffeine intake if you are planning to sleep. You may also want to consider using a saline nasal spray and moisturizer to stop your nose and skin from drying out.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> bring an empty reusable bottle that you can refill with water before or during the flight. This saves using plastic cups and means you always have water on hand.</p> <h3>Eat light</h3> <p>Try to avoid fatty and heavy foods while flying. Steer clear of fizzy drinks and gas-producing foods e.g beans, lentils, burgers, fries etc. which can leave you bloated. Your digestive system slows down while flying so also consider your food choices when it comes to the meal offerings. Try to eat a light and balanced meal, avoiding starchy and sugary foods. Pack your own snacks.</p> <h3>Practice good hygiene</h3> <p>Make sure you pack a hand sanitizer and use it before meals and after using the bathroom. It's also a good idea to wipe down your tray table, armrest, and entertainment touchscreen with a disinfecting wipe.</p> <h3>Stretch and walk around</h3> <p>Our blood oxygen levels are lower and our circulation slows down when we spend hours sitting on a flight which can lead to deep vein thrombosis. So make sure you get up every hour to stretch and go for a walk around the plane. (But <a href="/travel-wiser/survival/is-turbulence-dangerous">always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated</a>.)</p> <h3>Time zone adjustment</h3> <p>To combat jet lag, prepare yourself prior to the flight by getting a good night's sleep and doing some light exercise e.g going for a walk outside, doing yoga, or a light session at the gym. While on the flight, switch your watch to the time of your destination and try to sleep according to that timezone. Upon arrival, if it's daylight make sure you get outside for some sun and fresh air.</p> <h3>Sleep medications</h3> <p>Some travelers like to use a sleep medication e.g melatonin or a prescription drug to help them sleep on the plane. Have a chat with your doctor and try the medication out before you fly. There is nothing worse than being on a flight, having a reaction to what you have taken and not being able to do anything about it. For some, sleep drugs can act like a stimulant rather than a sedative, leaving you awake the entire flight.</p> <h3>Unblock your ears</h3> <p>On the descent, you will notice your ear pressure change and for some people, it can be painful. Some ways to get relief include holding your nose and blowing gently out through your ears, yawning, chewing gum, or sucking candy to help release the pressure in your eustachian tubes.</p>Photo by Gerrie van der Walt on Unsplash 0uOc3ldMSAiY Unsplash The narrow aisle of a commercial flight

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/around-the-world-in-ten-hangoversThere is no cure for a hangover. But a heck of a lot of cultures have dreamed up ingenious remedies for nursing one.2025-09-09T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/around-the-world-in-ten-hangovershttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The symptoms are the same the world over – pounding head, queasy tummy, fuzzy mouth, and that atrocious malaise, all of which can make you want to take revenge on all things sweet and lovable. Let’s get this straight from the start: there is no cure for a hangover. But many cultures have dreamed up ingenious remedies for nursing one.</p> <p>A travel writer must be intrepid, so I swallowed my fears and conducted an unofficial poll of my Facebook community. Ranging from high school to adulthood,  they were ghosts from times past, folks I met while traveling, and recent acquaintances from cosmopolitan New York, where I now live. They came from all corners of the globe, and contacting some of them required nerves of steel. Their responses were as informative about cultural attitudes to hangovers as the cures themselves.</p> <p>Here’s the gist:</p> <p>1. Hangover? Here? You gotta be kidding me (Qatar)</p> <p>2. We don’t have those here. Too much alcohol interferes with the flavor of food, and we love food. (Italy)</p> <p>3. Nobody really admits to going overboard with the drink. So how can you have a cure for something that doesn’t exist? But if you really must know, back in the ol’ days the village priest used to hand those out. (Ireland)</p> <p>4. No problem. I’ll send over the list (Russia).</p> <p>Here are the results, beginning with countries that tackle a hangover head-on, and tapering to those that extract penance.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#russia"> Hangovers in Russia </a></li> <li><a href="#korea"> Hangovers in Korea </a></li> <li><a href="#mexico"> Hangovers in Mexico </a></li> <li><a href="#greece"> Hangovers in Greece </a></li> <li><a href="#china"> Hangovers in China </a></li> <li><a href="#philippines"> Hangovers in Philippines </a></li> <li><a href="#england"> Hangovers in England </a></li> <li><a href="#germany"> Hangovers in Germany </a></li> <li><a href="#japan"> Hangovers in Japan </a></li> <li><a href="#italy"> Hangovers in Italy </a></li> <li><a href="#theory"> The General Theory of Hangover Cures </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="russia">Russia</h2> <p>You’re in luck if you happen to have a hangover in Russia. With the options available, your hangover might fly away like a swift wind over the icy steppe. The most popular remedy is of course the simplest: more vodka.</p> <p>Necessity being the mother of invention, though, Russia offers a slew of other remedies: brine from pickled cucumbers, sauerkraut, or tomatoes; kefir (Russian yogurt); buttermilk; tomato, orange, or cranberry juice; mint tea, tea with lemon, marigold tea, strong black tea with sugar; coffee; Coca Cola; LOTS of water.</p> <p>(Pause for breath.)</p> <p>Then there are the homemade concoctions: a beaten, raw egg with vinegar, a dash of ketchup, a pinch of salt, stirred and downed in one; vodka with sour cream, honey and ice cubes, stirred and slowly sipped; or castor oil in hot milk, sipped slowly.</p> <p>Failing that, head to the <em>banya</em> (sauna) to sweat out the alcoholic toxins. While you’re at it, you can punish yourself with a birch branch, for added detox pleasure.</p> <h2 id="korea">Korea</h2> <p>Korea wins hands down when it comes to hangover cures. <em>Haejangguk </em>basically translates to “Soup to Chase a Hangover.” It’s eaten as a hearty breakfast by teetotalers and soju-indulgers alike. A typical portion weighs in at about 900 calories. Congealed ox blood forms the main ingredient, but variations made with marrow bones, salt cod, and other ingredients abound. A raw egg and bean sprouts top off everything.</p> <p>Before you get all wrinkley-nosed on me, let me tell you about blood. Folks eat it all over the world. Blood pudding, or black sausage, is eaten in countries ranging from Ireland (where it’s called drisheen), to Mexico and Central America (where it’s called moronga or morcilla), to Germany (where it’s called blutwurst), to France (where it forms the filling for types of boudin). Blood pancakes are traditionally eaten in Galicia and parts of Scandinavia. Even well-known dishes, like France’s coq au vin, sometimes contain blood in the sauce.</p> <p>So it seems that blood does a body good. Full of iron, it’s a kickass pick-me-up that fortifies a system recovering from self-imposed poisoning.</p> <h2 id="mexico">Mexico</h2> <p>Mexico ascribes to the magical healing properties of soup with its famous (infamous?) <em>menudo</em>: tripe soup with lemon juice, chile, cilantro, and diced onion, served with warm corn tortillas and sometimes tapered off with a final beer. No one knows what banishes the hangover. Do the spices make you sweat out the alcohol? Or is it the fatty food coating the belly? Nevertheless, it’s a Mexican tradition.</p> <p>Eating the stomach lining isn’t the only option, though. In Mexico, you can choose from <em>chilaquiles con huevo</em> (fried corn tortillas topped with mole, eggs and cheese), or a popular preventative street food: <em>tacos de birria</em> (tacos filled with tender, slow-braised meat like goat or beef). Some Mexicans tout the curative powers of seafood cocktails, available in varieties such as oysters and octopus. Served in a cold tomato broth with diced cucumber, tomato, cilantro and hot sauce, it’s one way to clear a foggy head.</p> <p>In cities such as Mexico City, Tijuana and Guadalajara, folks chase hangovers with – you guessed it – more alcohol. Prophylactic beer cocktails take many forms, from Micheladas (beer with lime or lemon juice and hot sauce), to Chabelas (beer and Clamato), to Bull de Cerveza (dark beer with rum and gin or vodka).</p> <h2 id="greece">Greece</h2> <p>Greeks also espouse soup-as-panacea with <em>patsas</em>. It’s tripe soup, but you could easily call it innards soup since it also contains the stomach, intestines, and feet (along with generous amounts of garlic and vinegar to mask the taste). Patsas is a traditional working-class staple that’s become popular among late-night clubbers as a way to calm the stomach and prevent hangovers.</p> <p>Another preventative—surprise, surprise—is alcohol. Ending the night with a beer, some Greeks avow, provokes upchucking, a wretched yet speedy way to sober up.</p> <p>Or you can make atonement with strong, bitter Greek coffee. Only the hard-core stuff will do<span>—</span>no sugar, no milk. Some villagers even attest to a traditional cure of eating raw coffee sprinkled with fresh-squeezed lemon.</p> <h2 id="china">China</h2> <p>To console upset stomachs, Chinese merrymakers espouse soup (noticing a theme here?) First and foremost: congee, a rice porridge served in different ways, including with duck eggs, various meats, or vegetables. Traditional Chinese medicine considers ginger to be good for nausea and upset stomachs, so ginger soup is an obvious antidote for a hangover. Key ingredients are ginger, chicken broth, soy sauce, egg whites, and sometimes hot pepper flakes. Or try soup made of egg cooked with milk and dried persimmon. (I feel comforted just writing this, and I’m not even hungover.)</p> <p>To combat grogginess, the Chinese prescribe green tea (black tea is considered a Western predilection). Hong Kong Chinese also place their faith in ginseng tea. To make it, soak slices of American ginseng root in hot water and sip.</p> <p>If you still feel like death warmed over, you can try vinegar-dipped thousand-year-old eggs (duck, chicken or quail eggs preserved in clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls for up to several months).</p> <h2 id="philippines">Philippines</h2> <p>Filipinos swear by the power of coconut water. They’ve been drinking it since time immemorial, even before Vita Coco jumped on the bandwagon. Folks who party hard in Manila combine their trusty coconut water with a hearty breakfast of <em>pork tocino</em> (sweetened pork) or <em>tapa</em> (marinated beef), fried eggs, and garlic fried rice. In the wee hours of the morning, clubbers pop into 24-hour breakfast nooks scattered all over Manila for these hangover fixes.</p> <h2 id="england">England</h2> <p>After getting blitzed at the pub, an English traditional cure is the Hair of the Dog (full disclosure: the complete name is Hair of the Dog that Bit You). Which is to say (here it comes again) more alcohol. An English disguise for it is whipping together vodka, tomato juice, and Tabasco.</p> <p>A more healthy alternative (relatively speaking) is slathering your insides with the grease of a traditional English breakfast: bacon, eggs, sausages, beans, and tomatoes. If you’re still feeling puckish, try poached eggs with apple cider vinegar. Or get literary with the fictional cure invented by the valet Jeeves in <em>Carry on Jeeves</em> by PG Wodehouse: raw egg, Worcestershire sauce and red pepper. The mere shock of that unlikely flavor combination just might eradicate you, and all future hangovers.</p> <h2 id="germany">Germany</h2> <p>Germans who’ve had a long festspiel scare away their hangovers by digging into a taste-bud puckering <em>katerfrühstück</em> (hangover breakfast). The main ingredient is rollmops: pickled herring rolled around onions, pickled cucumbers, and other sour-tasting food. Good luck feeling the inside of your mouth after that one.</p> <h2 id="japan">Japan</h2> <p>When Japanese rabble-rousers have too many sakes, they douse their hangovers with <em>Ukon no Chakira</em> (which means “the power of turmeric”). Sold at Japanese pharmacies and convenience stores, its main ingredient is (who knew?) turmeric. Ukon also contains B vitamins, vitamin E and other secret ingredients. Advocates swear by it, claiming that the turmeric detoxes abused livers.</p> <p>Another option is miso soup (heard this one before?). Miso (fermented soybean paste), contains tons of healthy bacteria and enzymes, so eating it for breakfast can’t hurt.</p> <h2 id="italy">Italy</h2> <p>The glory days are over. According to my sources, the descendants of ancient Roman <em>bacchants</em> (who chased alcohol-induced sorrows with fried canaries) no longer have hope for a cure. Aside from fine espresso drunk from (numerous) dainty cups, modern Italians have little choice but to suffer the consequences or their actions. The only other hope is to douse their hangover with fountains of bottled mineral water (San Pellegrino, per favore).</p> <h2 id="theory">The General Theory of Hangover Cures</h2> <p>Most journeys end where they began. This brings me to The General Theory of Hangover Cures. Worldwide, remedies for this blight of humanity boil down to four basic principles. Here they are:</p> <p><strong> 1. Nurse Your Wounds:</strong> hearty comfort fare coats and soothes the stomach, distracting the brain from the pain wracking your body. Eggs are good. But tripe is better (the reasoning goes: if you’ve burned off your own stomach lining, replace it with the stomach lining from another animal).</p> <p><strong>2. Detoxify and Replenish:</strong> salty/sour liquids, juices and water restock lost electrolytes, detoxify the body, and treat dehydration. Pride of place goes to tomato juice.</p> <p><strong>3. Wake Up:</strong> stimulants shake the cobwebs from the brain. Coffee and tea do the trick here.</p> <p><strong>4. Denial:</strong> more alcohol numbs the pain (not advisable; this was Hemingway’s cure, and using it runs the risk of snowballing into a full-fledged drinking bout).</p> <p>You can debate all you want about whether these cures hold any scientific value. At the least, they’re soothing while you’re curled in a fetal position waiting for your blues to pass. At the end of the day, it helps to remember what comedian Margaret Cho says, “I hate hangovers, and the hatred of hangovers wins by a landslide every time.” That is to say, the only real cure for a hangover is to avoid having one in the first place.</p> <p><strong>About the Author</strong></p> <p>Veronica Hackethal is a travel, food, and health writer based in New York City. Her writing has appeared in <em>New York Times Travel</em>, <em>Chicago Tribune</em>, <em>NBCNews.com</em>, <em>Reuters</em>, <em>Best Travel Writing</em>, <em>Literary Traveler</em>, <em>Transitions Abroad</em>, <em>Matador</em>, and others.  </p>Getty Images / guruXOOX 0 Hungover backpacker asleep on train platform

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/medications-and-travelTraveling with prescription drugs internationally can be challenging, but doesn’t need to be stressful if you plan ahead and get the information you need before you go.2024-08-06T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/medications-and-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Getting your prescription drugs and medical devices on a plane or cruise ship and through customs requires some research. You need to ensure you’ve checked the legal requirements for your destination country(s) and gotten the necessary paperwork.</p> <p><strong>IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning to take any medication with you while traveling, please contact the relevant country's embassy which can best advise you on whether the medication is considered illegal or not, plus any further information or documents you may need in order to travel with your medications. An online search for embassy/country will give you the contact information you need.</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="#pre">Pre-travel tips </a></li> <li><a href="#country">Country-specific rules for traveling with medication</a></li> <li><a href="#during">Tips for carrying prescription medication and devices during your trip</a></li> <li><a href="#pain">Traveling with pain medication and other controlled drugs</a></li> <li><a href="#buy">Buying medication while traveling</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="pre">Pre-travel tips</h2> <p>Some prescription medicines, which may be legal to use and carry at home, can be illegal in other countries.</p> <p>Before you travel, ensure you:</p> <ul> <li>See your doctor or travel clinic to get advice and enough of your medication (and spares of your devices or syringes and the batteries that run them) to see you through the length of your trip. Your itinerary and return ticket should be enough to justify why you’re traveling with the amount of medication you have.<br /><em>Note: prescriptions are only valid in the country of origin so ensure you’ve filled your prescription/s ahead of traveling.</em></li> <li>Ask your doctor to write a letter stating: <ul> <li>The medication is for your personal use</li> <li>What the drug is (generic name)</li> <li>What it’s for and the dosage you are taking</li> <li>Depending on the destination, you may need it to be translated into the local language (but carry the English version as well)</li> <li>Ensure the letter has their name, signature and professional registration details e.g. their medical board number and name.</li> </ul> </li> <li>If you take any medications with a syringe, make sure this is noted in the letter and again states it is for personal use only.</li> <li>Ensure your medications are in their original packaging with prescription labels showing your name, and are within expiry date.</li> <li>Learn about the local laws and cultural considerations about your medication or condition.</li> <li>Check if your airline or cruise ship has any restrictions on your medical equipment or mobility aids and request any assistance you may need getting on and offboard. <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-plan-an-accessible-family-trip">Read our article on traveling with a disability</a> for more tips.</li> <li>Have an emergency plan (know the local emergency contact numbers) in case anything goes wrong, and consider <a href="/travel-insurance">taking out travel insurance</a>.</li> </ul> <h2 id="country">Country-specific rules for traveling with medication</h2> <p>Some countries including Singapore, Indonesia, <a href="https://www.incb.org/documents/Travellers/files/MAL_ENG_2024.pdf" target="_blank">Malaysia</a>, <a href="https://www.incb.org/documents/Travellers/files/THA_ENG_2017.pdf" target="_blank">Thailand</a>, Vietnam, China, USA, New Zealand, Fiji, and some countries in Europe have their own restrictions and rules around traveling with medicine. In some cases, there is a limit of 30 days on psychotropic or narcotic drugs, regardless of the length of stay.</p> <p>India, Japan, Turkey, Pakistan, and United Arab Emirates have particularly strict lists of medications, permits, and registrations.</p> <h3>India and Pakistan</h3> <p>You may take your prescription medications to India and Pakistan with a supporting letter from your doctor (see above). Ensure you only have enough for your stay (maximum of 90 days) and the letter clearly states they are for personal use only.</p> <p>There are some stricter regulations on narcotics and psychotropic medications. The <a href="https://www.incb.org/incb/en/travellers/index.html" target="_blank">International Narcotics Control Board</a> provide general information on travelling with narcotics. However, to date, there is no specific country information provided by either the Indian or Pakistani government. It is advisable to contact your local embassy for specific guidance.</p> <h3>Japan</h3> <p>Japan has a very strict drug policy, especially in regards to stimulants. Some cold medications that are common in countries such as the US and Australia are <a href="https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/en/application2.html">controlled substances in Japan</a>. If you plan to bring in a medication containing codeine or pseudoephedrin, you will need to <a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html" target="_blank">apply for a special certificate</a> (called a Yunyu Kakunin-sho).</p> <p>A number of other medications also require advance permission before you can bring them in, and some cannot be brought in even with a prescription.</p> <p>If your prescription medication is not controlled or prohibited, you are still limited to a 30-day supply.</p> <h3>Turkey</h3> <p>You will be allowed entry with a reasonable amount of prescription medications (depending on length of stay) provided they have documentation from their doctor stating the medications are required during the trip and are for personal use only. Please note that the letter from your doctor needs to be translated into Turkish along with the English version. Some local embassies offer translation services.</p> <p>Narcotic drugs (such as methodone) or psychotropic substances have <a href="https://www.incb.org/documents/Travellers/files/TUR_ENG_2017.pdf" target="_blank">their own restrictions</a>.</p> <h3>United Arab Emirates</h3> <p>The United Arab Emirates requires ALL passengers, including those in transit, to register online if they are carrying medications. There is a long list of medications that require registration, and a restriction on the quantity you can carry.</p> <p>To see a list of medication requiring registration and to register them, go to the <a href="https://mohap.gov.ae/en/services/issue-of-permit-to-import-medicines-for-personal-use" target="_blank">Ministry of Health and Prevention's webpage</a>.</p> <h2 id="during">Tips for carrying prescription medication and devices during your trip</h2> <p>Always carry your medication, doctor's letter, and other documents in your carry-on luggage in case your <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage">checked-in bag goes missing</a>, is delayed or stolen. You may also need to take your medications in-transit, so you'll need them close by.</p> <p>Declare any syringes you may have with you for medical reasons to customs.</p> <p>Try to keep your medication cool and dry. If you need to keep things cool, use a thermos or small cooler bag.</p> <p><em>Planning an overseas adventure? Find out <a href="/travel-insurance">how travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, medical emergencies, or other mishaps.</em></p> <h2 id="pain">Traveling with pain medication and other controlled drugs</h2> <p>Many pain medications, drugs for addiction and supporting mental health are classified as ‘controlled drugs’, meaning there are special rules for producing, distributing, and using them. These <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list--2" target="_blank">include</a> but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Addiction medication e.g. methadone</li> <li>Central nervous system drugs e.g. diazepam, ritalin</li> <li>Anticonvulsants e.g. levetiracetam, brivaracetam</li> <li>Pain medication e.g. gabapentin, codeine, acetaminophen</li> <li>Decongestants e.g. pseudoephedrine</li> <li>Sleep medications e.g. temazepam</li> </ul> <p>As mentioned above, please consult the local embassy for your destination to get the best advice and necessary paperwork.</p> <h2 id="vitamins">Traveling with vitamins</h2> <p>All vitamins and supplements need to be carried in their original packaging so their contents can be identified. It may also be worth getting them added to your doctor's letter.</p> <h2 id="buy">Buying medication while traveling</h2> <ul> <li>Prescriptions written by your doctor at home will likely not be valid overseas, so refilling that prescription may not be possible.</li> <li>Be careful when buying medications. The medication can be of poor quality, counterfeit or expired.</li> <li>It's also important to check the dosage of the medication before taking it as it may be more or less than your usual supply. You could risk overdosing or not getting relief from the condition you have.</li> <li>Check the packaging of the medication – is it sealed and intact? Does the package printing and imagery look dodgy?</li> <li>The medication you normally take may be known by another name in a different country. If in doubt, ask the pharmacist.</li> <li>If you have an allergic reaction to the medication, cease taking it and seek immediate medical assistance.</li> </ul>Getty Images/Azman Jaka 0 A woman does a finger prick blood test

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/10-reasons-why-taking-a-working-holiday-is-a-good-ideaStill need that extra push? Here are a few reasons why a working holiday might be the best decision you'll ever make.2021-12-22T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/10-reasons-why-taking-a-working-holiday-is-a-good-ideahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#visa">A working holiday visa lets you stay longer</a></li> <li><a href="#affordable">Working holidays are more affordable</a></li> <li><a href="#sooner">You can leave for your trip sooner</a></li> <li><a href="#trades">You can try your hand at various trades </a></li> <li><a href="#structure">You can give your holiday more structure</a></li> <li><a href="#break">A working holiday makes a good break</a></li> <li><a href="#friends">You may make more local friends</a></li> <li><a href="#culture">You gain a better cultural understanding</a></li> <li><a href="#resume">It can build a better resume</a></li> <li><a href="#expat"> It offers a chance to assess a potential expat location</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="visa">1. A working holiday visa lets you stay longer</h2> <p>A number of countries, including <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417">Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec.html">Canada</a>, <a href="https://fr.april-international.com/en/working-holiday-programme/working-holiday-programme-whp-south-korea">South Korea</a>, and many EU countries, offer working holiday visas. In general, a working holiday visa grants you access to a country for a longer period of time than a standard tourist visa. In Australia, for example, the typical tourist visa is for three months, while a working holiday visa grants you country-roaming rights for 12.</p> <p>Working holiday visas allow travelers to work in the country they’re visiting. There may be restrictions on how long each period of employment is, or the type of employment, and usually also the age and nationality of the person applying, among others. The main purpose of your visit must be tourism, rather than employment. But it’s a good option for the person that wants to stay in a country for as long as possible without needing to deal with exiting and entering multiple times for visa renewal.</p> <p>The United States doesn’t offer a working holiday visa, but it does offer a <a href="https://j1visa.state.gov/">J1 visa</a>, which allows college and university students located outside the US to visit and work during their summer holidays. There’s also a longer program for au pairs.</p> <p>Teaching English abroad is another popular way to stay in a country for an extended time and earn money while you’re there.</p> <h2 id="affordable">2. Working holidays are more affordable</h2> <p>With a working holiday visa, you can work as you go, meaning you won't necessarily go into debt while spending time abroad. Your method of travel may vary. Some prefer to travel up-front for several months and then spend the rest of the time working in one or two different locations. Others prefer to work for a month, travel for a month and then work for a month again. Either way, the travel is sustainable in the sense that you can keep refilling your travel funds with casual employment.</p> <h2 id="sooner">3. You can leave for your trip sooner</h2> <p>Without the need to save up thousands of dollars in advance, you can leave for overseas adventures sooner if you’re planning to work while abroad. If there’s one big downer when it comes to travel, it might be the idea that you <a href="/travel-wiser/practical/travel-cheaply-in-cost-of-living-crisis">can't do it because of the cost</a>. A working holiday helps alleviate this issue.</p> <h2 id="trades">4. You can try your hand at various trades</h2> <p>With a working holiday visa, you are basically given the opportunity to test out many types of jobs, and you may be in a position to accept ones that you normally wouldn't when at home. You never know what you might discover. Perhaps your perfect job is one where you're working on a cattle ranch or serving up drinks at a pub. Or maybe you learn that you love teaching. A working holiday, in this sense, could end up being a life-changing experience.</p> <h2 id="structure">5. You can give your holiday more structure</h2> <p>Many travelers, when staying in hostels night after night, find themselves partying and drinking with their fellow travelers instead of venturing out into the broader community. Not only can this deplete your travel funds, it might also lead to you doing less of the real travel activities you came for in the first place. Splicing in some work here and there helps to put you on a schedule and provides a structure for your visit.</p> <h2 id="break">6. A working holiday makes a good break</h2> <p>A popular time to sign up for an extended trip is the <a href="/explore/guides/ultimate-gap-year">break between high school and college</a> or the break after college and before entering the real working world. Later in life, working holiday experiences are often helpful as a way to get out of a job rut back home and open yourself to new choices. The advantage of a working holiday is it allows for this break with some employment opportunities in the mix.</p> <h2 id="friends">7. You may make more local friends</h2> <p>When you're backpacking or jumping from place to place constantly, the majority of the people you meet – in hostels or on tours, for example – are simply other travelers. By taking up employment in a country abroad, you’re more likely to meet and make friends with the locals, and that can do wonders for really introducing you to a culture.</p> <h2 id="culture">8. You gain a better cultural understanding</h2> <p>There's really only so much you can do and learn in a country on short, two-week holidays. While this may lead to a general understanding of a culture, there's no getting around how much more you will learn on an extended holiday, when you get to know the daily rhythms of a place, maybe pick up some of the language, and can call the neighborhoods your own. In addition, you’ll have actual working experience in a foreign country, which is likely to benefit you on your return back home.</p> <h2 id="resume">9. It can build a better resume</h2> <p>Whether a working holiday will improve your chances of employment back home may come down to the field you intend to work in, as well as the type of work you will be undertaking while abroad. However, many employers appreciate that a potential employee has overseas work experience and a broader cultural understanding, along with any new skills you may have acquired.</p> <h2 id="expat">10. It offers a chance to assess a potential ex-pat location</h2> <p>By allowing a person to stay for an extended period in another country, a working holiday provides a chance to assess whether or not this would be a good permanent move. You get to see first-hand how well the economy is functioning, what the job market is like in your intended field, and a whether or not you mesh well with the setup in general. A working holiday in this case could be a trial run for the future.</p> <p>If you like the idea of staying abroad more permanently but not necessarily staying in one location, or if you have a job at home that allows remote work, a working holiday can be a step towards a life as a <a href="/explore/work-from-anywhere-6-travel-tips-for-digital-nomads">digital nomad</a>.</p> <p><strong>About the Author</strong></p> <p><span>Brooke Schoenman is the type of person that doesn't need any convincing when it comes to heading out on a working holiday, but she is more than happy to help others who are still on the fence make the big leap.<span> </span>She currently lives in Australia and dispenses travel advice through her website, </span><span><a href="https://herpackinglist.com/">Her Packing List</a><span>.</span></span></p>Getty Images / Maskot 1590302745 Getty Images A smiling barista in a cheerful cafe in Europe.