Planning a trip? Great. A road trip, a train trip, trekking trip whatever is your mojo, all require a certain amount of hygiene. The perks of traveling can take up much of your attention, making you avoid basic hygiene. That, my friend can be hazardous to your health and to the enjoyment of your trip. Some important tips for hygiene are:
- Wash
Wash your hands often. Before and after eating, before and after using the washroom, first thing in the morning and just before going to sleep. It’s also important to wash your vaginal and rectal area properly whenever you find a proper washroom (I know, I know, if only!). It’s also advisable to keep wet wipes in situations where clean water is not available. Also carry a sanitizer to keep your hands infection free. (Gosh, the number of things we women need to carry just to ensure basic hygiene! If only our public washrooms were not like this. Take a bath daily; sweat and dirt can cause allergies or breakouts. Also wash your clothes if laundry services are not available. Carry pouches of detergent.
- Stay hydrated
Drink lots of water. It’s very important to stay hydrated when you are travelling in very hot weather. Excessive sweating can lead to electrolyte imbalance, making you feel dizzy and nauseous. Orange juice or cranberry juice have high number of vitamins. Citrus fruits are also a good option. Even in cold weathers, fluid intake keeps dryness and itches at bay.
- Pee Cups/ Pee Funnels
This one? I can’t emphasize it enough. Just do it OK. Carry pee cups, or pee funnels in your bag. Most of us avoid drinking lots of fluids because we think that might make us want to go to the loo several times, While, it’s easier to ask a driver to stop the bus at the next road side highway dhaba, and they may agree to doing that; the truth is that it’s a herculean task to find an actually clean toilet.
Almost 995 out of 100 times, the vehicle stops at a place where there is no washroom or no or poor sanitation. For such situations there are biodegradable products in the market, like the Sanfe pee cup or funnel. We can use them while standing to avoid UTIs and other infections. They are considerably easy to use and women travelers swear by them.
Oh, and don’t think that they are costly, they are not! Most of them are almost the price of a cup of chai at that dhaba where the bus stops!
- Clothing
Wear light and soft clothing. Stay away from tight clothes to avoid chafing. Add layers to clothes. Keep them clean. Cotton underwear is highly advisable. They are soft and breathable. Avoid wearing new clothes as most of them contain starch for shine. It can cause rashes.
- Eat right
Eat healthy. Lots of fruits. Also eat yogurt to keep the guy healthy. While travelling one tends to stock up on snacks. Chips, wafers, chocolates, toffees and the junk. There is a constant need to munch on something. To avoid weight gain try switching to fruits and nuts. Chewing gum is also an option. Be cautious for street vendors and spicy food.
Enjoy your trip. Bon voyage.
Oh, and do tell us if that pee cup idea was great!