Working abroad is a great way to open ourselves up to an entirely new culture and a different way of life, but it also exposes us to various health risks. As such, we should always take steps to protect our health, as otherwise, we may find ourselves in a medical crisis while being far away from home, which can be difficult to deal with for all sorts of reasons. Here are some health tips to take note of when you’re living and working in another country.
- Get international health insurance. While no one ever wants to think about falling sick or getting hurt to the point that they need urgent medical attention – or even hospitalization – while working abroad, the simple fact is there’s always a chance that could happen. As such, it’s important to ensure that you’re covered by a solid international health insurance policy before leaving your home country. By getting international travel insurance from a reputable insurance provider (such as Now Health International), you ensure that you get the best medical attention possible wherever and whenever a medical emergency strikes you.
- Get regular physical checkups. Even though you feel perfectly alright and you haven’t gotten sick for quite a while, it’s a good thing to get regular physical examinations while working overseas. In this way, you can ensure that you’re always clear of any diseases or conditions that you may pick up while staying in your host country, as well as to see if your pre-existing condition (if you have one) is kept well in check. You can also take this opportunity to ask your doctor about vaccines that you may need to take, especially if there’s a seasonal bug you have to avoid.
- Avoid street food. While it’s always tempting to enjoy the local fare and cuisine of your host country, you should only do so in restaurants and food establishments where you can be sure that the food is handled and prepared properly. Indulging yourself on street food may cause you to end up getting all sorts of gastrointestinal issues and even food poisoning. Also, make sure that you avoid tap water if possible, and always wash your hands before and after meals.
- Use sunscreen and bug repellent. If your new career is taking you to somewhere sunny and tropical, then you definitely need to bring along some potent sunscreen as well as mosquito/bug repellent wherever you go. Too much sun can cause painful sunburns that could then result in serious skin diseases in the long run, while mosquito bites are not only itchy and uncomfortable but could also get you infected with debilitating mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. You can also wear long-sleeved shirts to help protect against pests.
- Hydrate often. Dehydration can be a serious issue everywhere, even in colder regions. Always pack a couple of bottles of purified water with you wherever you go, drinking them as soon as you feel thirsty. If it’s hot outside, make sure to take a sip every ten or fifteen minutes. Should you run out of the water, avoid tap water as it could potentially make you sick.
- Be sure to get enough rest. It’s easy to overexert yourself when working abroad, as we always want to make sure that our employers are impressed. However, it’s important to get adequate amounts of sleep, as too little could make your immune system crash and thus make you vulnerable to all sorts of ailments. Getting your eight hours of sleep every night should be the minimum you should aim for. Also, avoid abusing caffeine as stimulants can affect the amount and quality of rest you get.
By keeping these health tips in mind and practicing them diligently, your career abroad is guaranteed to be just as memorable and profitable as it was meant to be.
