Living with a diabetes diagnosis is difficult enough as it is. The last thing you want is for it to hold you back from doing the things you love. Sure, traveling with diabetes requires a bit more management and planning, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it’s made out to be.
If you have a serious case of wanderlust and you’re passionate about seeing the world, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll explore six travel hacks you simply need to know about. Keep reading to find out what they are!
Keep Your Insulin Cool
Cooling insulin while traveling is essential. You can store your insulin in a special cooling kit and keep it out of direct sunlight. However, don’t leave your insulin directly on ice or a gel pack as this can also affect its potency.
Pack Healthy Snacks
You never know what snacks are going to be available when you’re traveling. That’s why it’s better to be safe than sorry and carry some healthy snacks with you no matter where you go. We recommend some fiber-rich fruits, raw veggies, or some vegan yogurt.
Stay Active on Long Travels
If you have a long journey, we recommend you stop the car periodically and take a walk to prevent any blood clots from forming. Similarly, if you are traveling by plane or train, you can walk up and down the aisle to get that blood pumping.
Test Your Blood Sugar Often
This one seems like a given, but it’s important to remind yourself to test your blood sugar often. When you’re traveling you can get caught up in the excitement and simply forget to do regular checks. Similarly, you could be more active than usual so you may need to adjust your insulin.
Set Medication Alarms
If you’re going to be in another time zone, you’ll need to set some alarms to remember to take your medication. This will ensure you keep a similar routine even when you are abroad. You can also ask your doctor for advice on how to manage your medication if you are unsure.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
No matter how prepared you may be, there’s always a chance that something may go wrong. That’s why it’s important to ensure you have insurance that is valid in the country that you are traveling to. Before you travel to your new destination, give your policy provider a quick call to double check what they recommend.
Just because you have diabetes, doesn’t mean you can’t explore new horizons with all the confidence in the world. You simply need to plan and prepare for your trip more thoroughly than others. Remember that each destination will be a new experience so make sure to customize your trip to suit your individual needs. At the end of the day, your health is what matters most. Make sure to plan in advance and soak up all the fun you possibly can.
