If you are living or traveling in a different country, health can be affected by stress, new environments and different types of bacteria. We bring you 10 Tips for Staying Healthy Abroad – to ensure you have the best experience possible!

10 Tips for Staying Healthy Abroad

Disclaimer: Our Health Tips are not meant to replace your doctor’s advice. If you are taking medication or you have a special health condition do not hesitate to reach out and seek advice from a medical professional prior to traveling.

1. Add 5-6 drops of 12% Hydrogen Peroxide (Agua Oxygenada in Spanish) to a liter of water. This will kill off bacterium and help defend against sickness. After moving we were getting colds and runny noses frequently, since we started adding Hydrogen Peroxide to our water, we haven’t even had a sniffle.
2. Diatomaceous Earth to flush out toxins, heavy metals, and keep our bodies healthy. One of the most inexpensive health remedies which we use for staying regular and to combat ill effects of meals we eat out, is D.E. or Diatomaceous Earth. Add a teaspoon to a cup of water every morning prior to eating or drinking anything else. Note: To ensure effectiveness drink plenty of water throughout the day. Do NOT breathe this powder in, it can cause lung damage.
3. Oregano Oil is great for colds. Especially since it is so small and easy to carry, this is a must for the savvy traveler. It has excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties which can kick your cold in a pinch! Indigestion, ear-aches, athletes foot, tooth-aches and common colds are also treated easily. We use DoTerra brand. Check the label to ensure it is high quality and ok to ingest. Apply to your neck and sinuses, or take a few drops under your tongue.
4. Epsom Salts for muscle soreness. (Sodio de Magnesio in Spanish) Muscle soreness and cramping can become a daily issue when you are walking or taking buses versus driving your car. Elevators and escalators are not always placed in obvious places. The culture of Latin America lends itself to walking versus comfort. When you get home or back to your hotel add a tablespoon of Epsom Salts to a warm foot-bath and soak your feet for about 20 minutes.
5. Coconut Oil for Toothaches. This ancient Ayurvedic practice involves swishing with coconut oil for 10-20 minutes. The coconut oil pulls bacteria and infectious material out of your mouth and sinuses. Especially if you feel a tooth going hot, you can calm it partially or even completely by swishing with coconut oil before or after you brush your teeth. Try not to swallow it and be sure you spit it into the toilet or trash can to prevent blockages of the kitchen sink.
6. Washing fruits and vegetables in vinegar before cooking. Add fruits and/or veggies to a large bowl with a tablespoon of vinegar and water to help wash off pesticides, harmful bacteria and parasites. Soak in the vinegar for 15-20 minutes then rinse under tap water. This will help protect you from any harmful bacteria or even animal excrement.
7. Vitamin D from Sun is another important nutrient which many of us forget about. The amount of time spent in the sun depends on the shade of your skin pigment. Light skin can only take 10-20 minutes while darker skin may need 30 minutes to a couple hours to absorb enough Vitamin D to make a difference. There are plenty of articles and research available online to help you decide how much you need. Coconut oil is a great natural sunblock which allows the skin to absorb vitamin D while preventing burns.
8. Ensure you get enough SLEEP! Travel and life abroad can be fun and exciting, but when you go too many days in a row without sufficient sleep it can wear you down and even cause sickness. To help ensure your body gets the rest it needs, try to sleep 8-9 hours per night. Make sure your room is dark, free of electronics and comfortable. Try to avoid looking at electronic screens for at least one hour before you lay down.
9. Activated Charcoal can save your life, or at the very least resolve food that didn’t go down well. If you feel like you ate something that wasn’t prepared properly, or you experience food poisoning, take an activated charcoal (or carbon activado in Spanish). The charcoal binds to toxins and helps to flush them out of the body. It’s also GREAT hangover remedy too!
10. Carry wet wipes and/or toilet paper with you at all times. Besides the common lack of toilet seats in restrooms, dirty bathrooms and those horrible emergencies where you discover that maintenance forgot to replace the empty toilet paper roll, this one is important for Staying Healthy Abroad. Proper toilet hygiene can help prevent bacterial infections when traveling for long hours without showering. Keep this item with you at all times.

Conclusion

We hope you find this list useful as you prepare for your next trip. Staying Healthy Abroad is one of the essential preparations which will ensure you are having the time of your life versus an unexpected trip to the hospital. Be sure to stay tuned as we continue to bring you the information you need to travel the Zona Cafeteria, Colombia and the world!

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