Tips for Stress-Free Traveling Abroad
(ARA) –
The honeymoon is when you and your new spouse
can finally relax and recover from all the celebrations.
You want your trip to be as easy and stress-free
as possible. But as vacation and business travel
rebounds, concern about stress continues to
be a problem.
"Since
September 11, we are getting numerous calls
asking for tips on how to relieve stress while
traveling abroad," says Dr. Myles Druckman,
medical director, International SOS, the world's
largest and leading provider of medical and
security assistance.
"The
key is being well-prepared for your trip by
becoming as knowledgeable as possible about
your destination," Dr. Druckman says. "Follow
the news on important events that may affect
your trip. Learn what is going on in the country
you plan to visit."
At the most
basic level, Dr. Druckman advises that you acknowledge
that travel, especially abroad, is inherently
stressful, even on a pleasure trip. You're out
of your element and routine; you may have to
deal with a foreign language. While this is
exciting, it naturally takes extra attention
and energy.
Here are
several tips that can help:
1. Knowledge
is power. Do some research on the places you
plan to visit so you will know what to expect.
This will help eliminate the anxiety of "what-if"
running through your head.
2. Rest up
before you go -- you'll enjoy your trip more
and worry less if you are well rested and energetic.
If flying long distances, you might want to
stop over for a night or two along the way.
3. Before
you go, make a copy of the opening page of your
passport and other important travel documents
and keep them separate from the actual documents
when you travel. Then you won't panic if those
documents are lost or stolen.
4. Learn
basic phrases of the local language -- you'll
feel more in control.
5. Stay connected
to friends and family through periodic e-mails
or telephone calls -- it will help keep you
from feeling isolated. Make certain to provide
them with your itinerary with contact numbers
at the hotels where you'll be staying. You should
also bring your cellular phone or purchase a
satellite phone just in case.
6. If music
relaxes you, make certain that you take your
favorite CD's or tapes along -- you may not
be able to find your favorite titles or artists
overseas. Bring along a transistor radio so
you can listen to the BBC or other English language
stations.
7. Learn
some deep breathing exercises or other relaxation
techniques that are easy to do.
8. Exercising
can also help you relax. Before booking your
hotels, find out what facilities or access to
health clubs they have. If you prefer, there
are exercises that can be done on the floor
in your hotel room. Consider bringing along
a jump rope or other easy-to-pack exercise product.
9. Try to
blend in -- avoid wearing obvious U.S. symbols
such as U.S. team sports shirts. Sample the
local culture and take note of and follow local
customs, so you won't feel like you're sticking
out from the crowd.
10. Make
sure you have a resource for medical and personal
safety assistance lined up, such as SOS Global
Traveler assistance services, which provide
telephone access 24/7 to Western doctors. That
way should you need help, you'll always know
who to call.
International
SOS provides emergency assistance services around
the world including medical evacuation and repatriation
and access to SOS doctors for advice and help.
It provides services to 60 per cent of America's
Fortune 500 companies and performs more than
12,000 evacuation cases per year (that's more
than one an hour, every hour, somewhere in the
world). Membership can be purchased for short-term
trips or annual plans. A Members Only portal
on the International SOS Website provides travel
health and safety information you can use to
prepare for your trip. Memberships range from
$55 for a 10-day medical membership for an individual
traveler to $225 for an annual membership. You
can purchase SOS membership through your travel
agent, by visiting SOS online at www.internationalsos.com
or calling (800)-523-8662.
Courtesy of
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