Happy Honeymoon: Tips for Stress-Free Travel 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.
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