Archive for June, 2011

Long Flight and International Travel Tips

Traveling Internationally, especially for the first time can be an exciting adventure. It’s important to be prepared to encourage a positive experience during this long journey.

Besides making sure your Passports and Visas are up to date, are you prepared for how you will feel physically and mentally after such a long flight?

Plane rides from the U.S to Europe average about 8 hours depending on where you’re flying to and from. They can be even longer if you’re going to far away places such as Australia or Africa, can be over 13 hours!

When I first started traveling out of the country, I was surprised how my body reacted to such a long flight. I wasn’t prepared for the extreme Jet Lag, Motion Sickness or numerous other things.

After lots of trial and error, I gradually learned how to prepare my body and mind to recover more quickly and enjoy my trip without wasting days in my hotel room because of Jet Lag and more.

Here are some tips to prepare your mind and body for the long trip.

Before your trip

  • Drink Lots of Water, keeping yourself hydrated is key to bouncing back quickly.
  • Stock up on Melatonin Supplements, it’s also a natural hormone found in your body that encourages sleep.
  • Once on the plane, you should immediately engage your destinations time zone, if it is night at your destination, take the melatonin on the plane and sleep etc
  • If you experience Motion Sickness, Ginger is an excellent supplement for nausea. Ginger Ale can also help. I would avoid reading, or doing too much moving. Use this time to close your eyes and relax. Of course have a nausea bag readily available.
  • During the long flight it is important to move your feet and legs to prevent blood clots. You will probably need a bathroom break on such a long flight. Take your time and really stretch your legs. In your seat you can also make circles with your ankles and gently lift your knees up and down to promote circulation.
  • Keep Aspirin handy since it’s a blood thinner, and is also helpful with headaches usually associated with long flights.
  • Be sure to splash your face with cold water in the bathroom, it’s good for your skin and more.

Once you have arrived

  • Continue to drink lots of Water
  • Stay away from heavy meals as long flights can alter your bowel habits for the first day or so.
  • Eat light fruits, salads, anything that will promote proper digestion packed with nutrients
  • During the day (depending on the weather) open the curtains and windows to let in fresh air and sunshine, this simple step will speed up your recovery and mood!
  • When it is bedtime at your destination and if you can’t sleep, it’s ok to take the Melatonin, it helped me get on the correct time zone quickly, and it didn’t leave me groggy in the morning like other sleep supplements.

These are just a few of the many tips that can help you feel more fit and alert after your long journey. Take it from Me, I’ve Been There, Done That.

Happy Travels!

International Travel Insurance For Senior Citizens

The number of travelers in the 65-age bracket has increased tremendously. A large number of mature holidaymakers, mostly retirees, are heading overseas on foreign travel trips. Seeing other wonders of the world is exciting in itself, but that also involves making important considerations related to the trip. One such consideration is Travel Insurance.

Healthier lifestyles and medical advancement may urge you to think that you are the least to be affected by any sort of risk factors. Think again! You had saved your hard-earned money to enjoy the second lease of life to the fullest. Hence, buying a travel insurance policy is a wise idea. However, most travel insurance companies hesitate to offer insurance and marginalize senior citizens for the simple reason that senior citizens are more likely to make claims that are relatively expensive. Besides, they are charged higher premiums.

Comprehensive travel insurance policy specifically meant for elderly travelers between 71 to 85 years. Senior Citizen Travel Insurance Plan covers unexpected and unplanned medical expenses due to illnesses or accidents, including outpatient & inpatient medical expenses, medical aid, therapies and diagnostic test. Pay Per Day plan of travel insurance policies, is wherein you pay for the exact number of days traveled (and not the usual slab rate) i.e. if you travel for 24 days you’ll pay only for 24 days and not 25 days as in the slab system.

Some travel insurance providers in the market also cover people traveling with a pre-existing medical condition in case of life threatening situation. Besides, you can avail Senior Citizen Plan instantly with no medical check up with a claim benefit of $15,000 per illness or injury.

Furthermore, to ensure quality health care, some popular General Insurance company tied-up with United Health Group, the best, and the most diverse health care company in the US which serves more than 70 millions Americans. More than 86% of all acute care hospitals and huge number of physician and OPD facilities are in their network. What’s more, you can also avail the policy 24X7 from website to Buy Online facility which gives you instant digitally signed policy. It’s straight-forward and hassle-free.