Vacations are precious opportunities to unwind and start afresh at work at the end of it. Yet post-vacation problems like diarrhoea, jet lag, flu and even bug attacks could make one wind up worst than before the vacation! Especially when travelling to a country with a very different climate and food culture, it is common to encounter such problems, but they can be avoided if you take good care of yourself before, during and after the vacation!
Reducing jet lag
Start readjusting your sleep schedule as you're nearing home if you're on a long haul flight. Use drinks, movies and regular face washing to keep yourself awake on the plane if you're to arrive at night, or try to get sleep with ear plugs and a comfortable neck rest if you're due to arrive in the day. These should help kick-start efforts to readjust to your regular time table.
Keep yourself active
During your holiday, be sure to at least incorporate some activities that require movement and fitness, like sightseeing on foot or some sports. When you're back, gradually but surely, ease yourself back into your exercise routine (hopefully you do have one!). A brisk walk or jog can make you feel better about yourself! Above all, never attempt to sleep longer than you should. Trying to compensate sleep loss with more sleep doesn't work and might only make you feel more sluggish.
Get sufficient sleep
Jet lag can lead to sleep loss post-vacation. Lavender sachets, amongst other methods, and induce relaxation and lull you to sleep. During your vacation, while some late nights are inevitable, do also try your best to sleep regular hours, and get at least 6 hours of sleep. Insufficient sleep can make one feel crabby and succumb to illnesses more easily. During the winter, the days are short and some businesses close early. It makes more sense to wake up early and go to bed early.
Eat healthily, indulge reasonably
Enjoying the native cuisine of your travel destination is a must, but over-indulging can lead to a myriad of problems including indigestion, stomach upset (when you're not accustomed to the food), and weight gain which is possibly the last souvenir you want from your trip! Make it a point to indulge in at most one meal per day, while keeping the other meals light. Remember to consume fruits and vegetables on a regular basis as well to maintain your immune system and prevent constipation from setting in.
Preventing digestive problems
Probiotics help to prevent digestive problems like gas, indigestion and diarrhoea. It is ideal to start on a course just before you leave for vacation. Get a recommendation from the pharmacist. Peppermint tea is a natural solution for soothing a stomach upset. It would be a good idea to pack some tea bags.
Bed bugs & pests - do your research
It is important to be kind to your wallet, but it is more important to be kind to your body. Contracting bed bugs or other skin problems can lead to plenty of stress and even more expenses when you get home! Hostels, for all their benefits of being economical and a good opportunity to make friends, may also be potential breeding grounds for bed bugs. Make sure you do your research, and look up reviews before you book a cheap hostel room.
Keep yourself hydrated
Don't neglect the importance of keeping yourself well-hydrated. This is really important especially in winter. Bring a bottle around with you, which you can fill when you come across drinking fountains. In some cities, supermarkets are ideal places to get clean, bottled water at reasonable prices.
Practise good hygiene
Those handy mini hand sanitizer bottles are great to bring on a trip - use them before and after a meal, after using public transport and touching surfaces that are potential contact points for a great number of people. Enjoy the street food, but watch how the vendor handles the food before ordering. Avoid raw or half-cooked food at places with obviously poor sanitation.
Laughter is the best medicine
Feeling the post-vacation blues? Make yourself laugh with your favourite comedy show or humour website, and you should then find the drive to appreciate your back-to-work situation and gear up for the coming challenges.