Healthy travel options

Summer is definitely here, whether we like it or not. And with summer are travel plans that will break most students’, parents’, friends’ and office workers’ usual activity in school and at the work area. In the somnolent heat of the sun’s dominance, people’s efficiency tends to bog down, enervation takes its toll and dehydration can mean health hazards.

While traveling, enervation while driving can be life-threatening to passengers and driver alike. Be sure to talk to the driver while going on long distance drives. Someone has to stay up with the driver to engage him in small talk all the time – and I mean every minute of the way!

Sweating like a horse under direct sunlight or even while in the shade on humid days can mean a very uncomfortable situation indeed. Hence, it is of utmost importance to give full attention to the clothes you bring in a summer vacation. Bring only a wardrobe of 100% natural fibers: cotton and linen for daytime; silk for evening dates. No synthetic polyesters, please. Good news: advanced technological breakthroughs in the clothing industry are now in the market that enables them to manufacture such things as moisture control, antibacterial fabrics. When you sweat, the cloth absorbs it and keeps you dry. These clothes can be expensive, but why spare the cost for one’s comfort? (I got my tops lately at Mark & Spencer Ayala, and years ago at Liz Claiborne ladies sport wear in Hong Kong and in Singapore’s Ion Mall.)

I am now recovering from a tough cough I caught while in Singapore. We were doing the thrilling luge run in Sentosa Island – my only fave sport ever, it seems! Good thing I was going down the circuitous lane in top speed as rain just suddenly poured down as I was parking my cart. I was a bit wet, but soon dried out. The others after me were drenched – I saw some little ones just as wet, waiting in the kiosk for the rain to stop. In times like this, it is wise to keep an extra shirt in the bag, especially for little ones.

And since we are on the topic of health, cough & colds are easily caught while on the go. So, avoid crowded places as much as possible. Abruptly veer away when someone sneezes, as the moisture from such a sneeze lingers in the air and will contaminate you. Wash your hands often or use wet wipes to keep them clean at all times, in case you touch your own nose or mouth.

Oh, and a sudden change of temperature can be your downfall – from the hot humid shopping spree into a cool air conditioned restaurant for a meal. Now, that can be a bomber – sniffling will soon follow! So, be sure to have a light cardigan handy in your bag, or even just a shawl.

The sun can be our source of fun, or source of woe. Intense sunburn is no longer a joking matter – ask my dermatologist daughter-in-law.  The medical community has long advised us against too much sun exposure, and to be properly protected if directly under the sunlight with sun block body mist or gel. There are also tinted moisturizers with adequate SPF content if you must look proper at all times. I won’t go into details on this. Go consult your doctor.

Before you go, don’t forget that wide brimmed hat and an umbrella. Happy summer vacation!