Travelling in 2022

After a recent month of travel to Namibia and Australia, I can confidently say that all it takes now is some minor, forward preparation to embark on the adventures we’ve all been eagerly waiting for. 

Once upon a time - before the pandemic, I was a frequent traveller. Frequent, as in I flew 54 times in 52 weeks in 2019. The immunity I had back then is something I envy now, as two years of staring at the four-walls of my bedroom has unsurprisingly compromised my health – and unfortunately, a strong immunity can’t be built overnight.

As our own borders are open have also opened for international travel, I thought I’d share my experience on how to make travelling for the rest of 2022 that much better. 

1. Check your passport 

2. Get your documentation ready 

It’s best to have a digital and printed copy of all the documents you’ll need. Examples are your International Travel Vaccine Certificate and other forms like a pre-departure test result and health declarations. 

3. Turn up early to everything 

You’ve probably been told already – and I’ll tell you again, it’s more important than ever to head to the airport as early as you can. There’s slightly longer than usual wait times nowadays as all of the documentation you’ve prepared is manually checked in person. Be sure to be extra understanding too as there’s a lack of staff due to covid, and if your flight is still available, well that’s a very lucky thing! Just make sure that you’ve eaten too, as not all of the stores in the airports are fully open. 

4. Sleep well every day 

This habit is the one that I believe trumps all. With the few extra things to be aware of, I suggest really prioritising 8 hours of sleep a day to ensure your body can rest and improve your health and wellbeing during this time. Otherwise, the sleep deprivation you incur will weaken your immune system and make you more vulnerable to getting sick. During your travels, you might not be able to sleep exactly as you should, so sleeping well beforehand can really make a difference.  

5. Take supplements before and during your trip 

I’ve recently discovered a game-changing supplement called Imm¹ Defence from SRW Laboratories. Imm¹ has a combination of heavily researched and proven ingredients which supports your immune system health and recovery times in periods of stress. It’s best to load up a few weeks before setting sail to get the best support and obviously during your trip too! Imm¹ has natural glycoprotein, a molecule derived from egg yolks which aids in defending against unwanted invaders within your digestive system. It also has Quercefit, a patented formulation of Quercetin that is 20x more bioavailable than standard Quercetin, which works with the Zinc to provide immune-related benefits and acts as a carrier for Zinc across cell membranes to support a strong immune response. Giving you that added piece of mind when out and about while travelling, don’t forget to have at least 30 minutes of sunshine daily too. 

6. Use sanitising gel or wipes, and wear a mask 

Be aware of where your hands go - so sanitise your table, chair and tv set, and carry your own pen. It’s the small things that will make a big difference I feel, and it doesn’t hurt to be sure! Afterall, there’s no social distancing available on planes.  

7. Minimise stress and calm your mind 

Stress has been well-documented to be something which can easily affect your immune system. When you are stressed, your body creates a hormone called cortisol. It suppresses your immune system’s effectiveness in fighting off invaders. Before your travels, try to prepare all the necessary extra paperwork that is required of you, and work backwards from your travel date to minimise the extra workload that may come your way. Don’t forget to also look into what is required for coming back into New Zealand too.

And there we have it - by performing these habits well you will be in a much better position to deal with whatever comes your way when travelling. There’s a beautiful world out there and I recommend you see it!