Health and Safety When Traveling

When planning a trip, it’s always important to prioritize health and safety. This is especially true for solo female travelers. This isn’t about being paranoid; it's about being smart and prepared.

When you plan for health and safety considerations when traveling, you’re giving yourself peace of mind. The goal isn't to eliminate all risks. That's impossible. The goal is to minimize preventable problems. This way, you aren’t as worried about things that can happen and can better enjoy your trip.

Health and safety when traveling falls into two categories: preparing before your trip and then what you do while on your trip.

Pre-Travel Health and Safety Preparation

Some of the largest parts of maintaining health and safety while you’re traveling come down to what you do BEFORE the trip. Preparation is the key.

Medical Planning

Your Travel Health Kit

A travel health kit is your best companion.

Start by packing essentials like pain relievers, band-aids, antiseptics, heartburn medications, and allergy medications.

Include any vitamins, supplements, and prescription medications you regularly take. And bring extra. I always pack at least a few extra days' worth of these, especially prescription medications and contact lenses.

After including essentials, customize this kit based on your destination. Are there items you’ll need that are specific to where you are going or the type of trip? These could be anything from sunscreen for a beach vacation to bug spray or motion sickness medication for more active adventures, to anti-diarrheal medication for places with questionable water.

Consider how convenient it will be to get these health items while you are on your trip. It’s usually easier and better for your peace of mind to bring what you will need with you. But if you’d prefer to get some of them after you arrive, rather than pack them, that’s okay too. As long as you’ve planned for it, do what works for you.

Checkups and Vaccinations

This is all about ensuring that you’re physically prepared for your specific trip. It's much easier to deal with health issues at home ahead of time than in an unfamiliar location.

One of the most essential things is to make sure you have enough of any necessary medications. Get prescription refills if needed before you go.

Address any health concerns with your doctor. If you aren’t up to date with routine care (like dental checkups), it’s a good idea to take care of that too.

Vaccinations are critical to think about. Depending on where you are traveling, certain vaccines may be recommended or required. It's always best to consult with your doctor well in advance. Review required and recommended vaccinations for your destination, and ensure routine immunizations are current.

Travel Insurance

Investing in travel health insurance is definitely something worth your consideration. This is again especially critical for extended or international trips.

Check the coverage of your current health insurance. See if it covers international travel and medical emergencies, including transport costs. Standard health insurance often doesn’t cover these things, and it could be essential, depending on your travel itinerary, to invest in a reliable travel insurance policy.

Destination-Specific Research

It’s always a good idea to research your destination for specific health and safety considerations.

Health and Medical Considerations

When traveling to another country, just like you want to check into any required vaccinations, you should check for any health concerns there. The CDC’s website is a good place to start. Finding out about the availability of medical care is also a smart thing to do.

Consider things like climate, food safety, water quality, and any allergies you may have. These can also apply even if you aren’t traveling somewhere remote or far away. Allergies, in particular, can vary greatly within your own country, and it’s good to be prepared if this may be an issue for you.

Safety and Culture Considerations

Personal safety planning is always important, especially when you're traveling solo.

This includes understanding local customs that might affect your safety, particularly if you’re traveling to another country. Research local attitudes towards women, dress codes, and any other cultural practices or local laws.

Practical Considerations

And remember the practical considerations.

Notify banks and credit card companies of travel plans. You don’t want to go through the potential hassle of having charges denied inconveniently during your trip.

Choose reputable accommodations in safe neighborhoods, share your itinerary with someone at home, have backup plans for transportation, and make sure your phone will work at your destination. Get a feel for the place, and know which areas are safe and which you should avoid.

Practical Safety Measures During Your Trip

These practical safety considerations continue during your travels. Here are some additional ones to keep in mind.

Take care in transportation, dining, and other activity choices you make while on your trip. Consider reputation, reviews, location, safety, and reliability.

Avoid carrying excess amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry, especially in unfamiliar areas. Ideally, your hotel will have room safes, and you should store any valuables there that you don’t need when you leave your room.

Maintain digital and physical copies of important documents and an emergency contact list. Establish regular check-ins with someone back home for extended trips.

Be cautious with sharing personal information with locals or other travelers that you don’t know. Consider how you are dressing for the local culture. Blending in and not drawing unnecessary attention can be an essential safety consideration, especially for solo travelers.

Most of all, just trust your instincts. If something feels off to you, chances are it is. It's okay to make decisions that others might not understand because your well-being is your priority.

And one last health thought. Stick to bottled water if you are unsure about the water quality at your destination!

It Comes Down To Risk Mitigation and Balance

Managing health and safety on your trip really all comes down to risk mitigation and balance.

You want the balance of taking reasonable precautions, without taking all of the fun and adventure out of your travel experience. Most destinations are generally safe for well-prepared travelers. But planning, preparing, and taking the appropriate steps helps you respond effectively to unexpected situations and enjoy your trip with greater confidence.