A beautiful beach with white sand and turquoise water

If you asked a person to draw up a list of 10 places on Earth that most resemble heaven, at least one of them would be in the Caribbean. Talking about the reasons why the Caribbean islands are so special would take all day. But a dream vacation can become very unpleasant if you are not careful. As much as the nature of this part of the world is fabulous, sometimes it can be harsh if you’re not careful. Here are tips to stay healthy while traveling in the Caribbean to ensure you only have lovely memories from your trip.

1 Using sunblock is a must

UV radiation from the sun is known to cause skin cancer, and using sunblock is one of the most important steps in preventing it. In the Caribbean, the sun’s rays are more potent, and UV radiation is more intense. If you completely disregard the story about how damaging the sun can be for your skin and cells, several things may happen. First, you will burn your skin which may cause many nights of difficulty falling asleep. Second, sunburn increases your chances of getting the aforementioned skin cancer. Finally, you might get sunstroke. Here are the basic rules to follow when the sun is strong:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially if your skin is fair.
• Regularly apply high SPF products on all skin areas exposed to the sun.
• Wear hats, shirts, and other clothing, garments, and accessories you can tolerate when you are out in the open on a clear day.
• Stay hydrated

Using sunblock is very important if you want to stay healthy while traveling in the Caribbean.

2 While traveling in the Caribbean, stay hydrated continuously

As the final advice from the previous paragraph says, you should always be hydrated. The body loses water through excessive sweating, making you feel bad. Also, the skin dries out in the sun, and taking adequate fluids makes it more elastic and adequately moist. Dehydrating in the sun is very dangerous, so have a bottle of water with you at all times. 

3 Don’t forget your meds

In packing euphoria, it is easy to forget something as tiny yet with such significant relevance as medication. You should never go off your regular meds without consulting your doctor first. Forgetting them can worsen your condition and turn your vacation into a nightmare. Also, if you are moving to the Caribbean, make sure you take a three-month dose with you until you find out whether they are on the market on the island you will be calling home. The experts in relocation from Big Man’s Moving Company advise their clients always to pack their essential documents and meds first and keep them close. There’s a good chance the pharmacies where you’re going have what you’re taking, but the stakes are too high to take that risk.

Caption: You should never stop using your meds without consulting your doctor first.

4 Prep your gut for different food

Before you go to any faraway country with a completely different lifestyle than what you’re used to, prep your gut for their food. That means you should start taking probiotics or supplements promoting gut health. Continue with taking these tummy meds until you’re back home. You don’t need an upset stomach that would keep you away from the beach.

5 Don’t bring clothes for hot weather only

The weather in the Caribbean can be classified as hot and humid, but that is only a general definition. The temperatures can drop, especially at night, and your best bet is to mind the weather forecast during your visit. But even if it says it will be warm and dry, bringing a light jacket and an umbrella won’t kill you.

6 Not having adequate travel insurance can cost you tremendously

Travel insurance seems like a waste of money, but should you need it, you’ll see the value of it. Getting medical treatment or a life-saving procedure is costly. You don’t want to pick up that bill. Make sure you get travel insurance that covers a fair amount of cases so the journey to the Caribbean wouldn’t cost you like a trip around the world.

7 Antibacterial wipes and gels reduce the chance of infection

If we learned something during these days of a global pandemic, it’s how important it is to wash our hands and disinfect everything. Viruses and bacteria still exist, and you need to do everything you can to protect yourself from them. This is crucial whether you’re traveling to Carrebean or planning to relocate there. To stay healthy during a relocation, for example, you should be extra careful about the hygiene of your hands. That is something people easily forget when they are in a rush. But antibacterial wipes and gels are easy to transport and even easier to use. Every handbag should contain at least one of the two.

Antibacterial gel has proven to be very useful in reducing the risk of contracting a virus or an infection.

8 Work on your immune system for several months before your trip

Your immune system is the first line of defense against microscopic intruders that want to destabilize your health. But boosting it doesn’t happen overnight. You should start working on it months before your trip to ensure you stay healthy while traveling in the Caribbean. To enhance its efficiency, increase the intake of vitamins and minerals. Also, give yourself plenty of sleep and cut down on alcohol. Not getting enough rest and overdrinking can seriously reduce the ability of your immune system to fight back. Always remember that your health is far more crucial than work and wild fun. Because without health, there will be none of those two.

Final thoughts

To stay healthy while traveling in the Caribbean, you’ll need to boost your health a few months in advance. Also, ensure you constantly have all your medications and sunblock on your skin while you’re there. With these and the other above mentioned tips, you will be strong and healthy enough to have the time of your life.

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