Stay Healthy During the Nataru Holiday Homecoming, IPB University Medical Faculty Lecturer Shares Safety Tips
As the school holidays and Christmas-New Year (Nataru) are coming soon, many migrants are preparing to travel back to their hometowns.
A lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, IPB University, dr Widya Khairunnisa Sarkowi, urges the public to pay attention to their health condition before embarking on a long journey. She shared this advice amidst her busy schedule teaching at the IPB Dramaga Campus in Bogor.
According to dr Widya, physical and mental preparedness are important factors in ensuring a safe journey. Make sure you are in good physical condition, get enough sleep before departure, and do not force yourself to travel if you are sick.
“During the trip, try to eat regularly, drink enough water, and do light stretching every few hours to prevent your body from becoming stiff. Always obey the safety rules according to the mode of transportation you are using,” she said.
dr Widya also reminded travelers to bring their regular medications and be mindful of potential side effects, such as drowsiness. Essential items to bring include personal medications, fever reducers, diarrhea medication, or motion sickness medication, as well as drinking water and healthy snacks.
“The use of motion sickness medication needs to be considered carefully because some types can cause drowsiness and be dangerous for drivers,” she said.
dr Widya explained that the items needed to bring along may differ depending on the mode of transportation. For land travel by car or motorcycle, safety equipment such as seat belts, helmets, raincoats, and vehicle condition checks are mandatory.
Meanwhile, for travel by train, bus, or plane, passengers are advised to bring only essential items, considering the shared space with many people.
Ideal Time
dr Widya said that ideally, travel should be done when the body is at its freshest, which is in the morning to midday. Night travel is considered more risky because it can cause drowsiness and fatigue, especially for drivers. “If you have to travel at night, make sure you get enough rest beforehand and take regular breaks at rest areas,” said dr Widya.
She emphasized that the principles of preparation for short and long-distance travel are actually the same. However, the level of anticipation is different. On long-distance trips, the risks of fatigue, delays, and limited access to health services are greater, so more thorough preparation is needed. “The longer the trip, the more important it is to anticipate health and comfort needs,” she concluded. (dh) (IAAS/KQA)
