Travelling Safely During the Holidays: A Guide to Packing Your Medicine Cabinet

A Guide to Packing Your Medicine Cabinet – Travelling Safely During the Holidays

Travelling during the holiday season is a great opportunity to visit family or to have an adventure at a special time of the year, but it can be tricky to know what to pack to keep you feeling prepared and healthy at this time. You simply never know when you might come down with a cold or flu, and overindulgence at this time of the year can lead to painful heartburn and acid. Some medicine cabinet essentials can help you to cope with any first aid or health emergencies that arise while you are travelling, and it can be reassuring to know that you have all you need to keep yourself healthy and well while you’re not at home.

Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we have a great range of products to help you when you’re travelling during the festive season, and we can help you manage your trip with professional advice and recommendations on what to pack. Read on to find out more about our top product ideas and get yourself prepared so that you can relax and enjoy your travels!

Medicine cabinet essentials for your travels

When you’re travelling, it’s hard to predict what sort of health products you may need and packing your bag with some essentials can be helpful. We recommend having a cold and flu remedy, a solution for heartburn and stomach acid, some first aid essentials and something to relieve your allergies. Here are our favourite ideas:

1. Cold and flu remedies. It’s a challenge to get through the winter without a cold or flu bug raising its ugly head, and finding products that can relieve your symptoms can make all the difference, especially when you are away from home. Lemsip Max is a great option, containing a decongestant and paracetamol to relieve painful symptoms and help you to feel better fast. In simple sachet form, it’s also easy to pack in your bag and just add water to make a healing hot drink, wherever you are in the world.

2. Stomach settlers. Rich food and alcohol can leave you feeling unwell at Christmas, especially if you are prone to stomach complaints. It can be unpleasant to have an upset stomach or heartburn when you are staying away from home, and you’ll be thankful for the remedies you’ve packed in your travel bag. Imodium Plus is a simple solution that can relieve diarrhoea, cramps, bloating and wind, and you’ll find these tablets a lifeline if you’ve overindulged.

3. Allergy medications. If you struggle with allergies, you may find that travelling makes the problem worse, especially if you are visiting family members or friends who have pets that tend to trigger your symptoms. Ensure that you include a quick, easy-to-use allergy solution in your travel first aid kit and you can relieve hours of suffering during the holiday season. We love Cetrine Allergy, one-a-day tablets that will help to keep your symptoms under control so that you can relax into the festivities.

4. First Aid Supplies. It’s a nightmare trying to visit a doctor or a local hospital at Christmas time and packing your own basic first aid kit can help you to avoid this. Our First Aid Essential includes wound dressings and injury supports, as well as burn dressings and blister plasters to make those holiday party shoes more comfortable! Having your own first aid kid in your bag means you won’t be dependent on your hosts or stuck trying to find a pharmacy on Christmas Day, so you can relax and enjoy the celebrations.

5. Pain relief. You’ll be lucky if you make it through the holiday season without experiencing a headache, and having pain relief on hand can take the stress out of the situation. There’s usually a lot going on at Christmas and you may find yourself experiencing tension headaches and sore eyes if you’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Packing some pain relief – preferably an option you’ve used before and know you can rely on – is a great way to avoid extra worry when a headache hits as you can simply take your pain relief and carry on with your day. We have plenty of Pain Relief options to choose from and will be happy to advise you on the best choices for you and your lifestyle.

6. Sleep aids. Sleeping well is a vital way to protect your body against illness and ensure that you feel your best during the festive season. If you struggle to sleep when you’re away from home, this may be amplified when you add rich food and drink into the equation, as well as the pressure of large family gatherings and parties. Having something that can help you to sleep can be a huge relief at busy times such as the holiday season, and could help you to manage your sleep better so that you can make the most of the occasion. We often suggest Nytol tablets, which are ideal for temporary sleeping difficulties. They contain an antihistamine which causes sleeplessness or drowsiness and can help you to fall asleep faster and enjoy a longer, deeper sleep. Rescue Remedy Night Spray is another option, with gentle flower remedies that can calm anxieties and help you to relax into a deep, restful sleep.

7. Mood support. The holiday season can be overwhelming and ensuring that you stay in control of your emotions at this time can be difficult. Making use of a supportive remedy such as Rescue Remedy Balance and Positivity Capsules is an excellent way to manage your moods and help you to stay balanced throughout the ups and downs of the season, especially when you are away from home. These capsules contain saffron, L-Theanine and B vitamins, as well as Bach flower essences to help you stay calm and positive all day long. We also recommend using a daily practice such as yoga or meditation to support your mood, taking a few minutes when you wake up each day to set yourself up for positivity. You may find that this helps so much that you carry the practice into your daily life and continue throughout the new year.

Travelling During the Festive Season

Visiting friends or family at Christmas can be a great way to get away from your daily routine but it can also put you under pressure and leave you feeling exhausted so it’s important to support yourself wherever possible. We recommend preparing yourself in advance to make the most of your travels and avoid common problems. We suggest taking the time to prepare the following:

Your car. If you are travelling by car, you’ll need to prepare for wintery weather and ensure you are carrying the correct safety equipment for bad weather conditions. Always take a warm sleeping bag or blanket in the car when you make journeys in the winter, and take water and snacks in case these are needed in an emergency situation.

Your work. It’s a good time to take a complete break from work, and most offices will shut during the festive period. Don’t be tempted to catch up on your emails or start planning for the next year, but allow yourself to step away completely and focus on your well-being instead.

Your body. It can be difficult being away from home and eating foods that are richer than your usual diet, so you can prepare in advance by doing a gentle detox or eating simple foods before you go away and on your return. This will give your body more balance and enable it to cope with the change more easily, and you may wish to take probiotics to restore your gut health after a period of more indulgent eating.

Your creature comforts. Think about what will help you to feel at home while you are travelling, and pack extras to help you relax if you have space. Your own pillow will often make a big difference, and having your own dressing gown and slippers can be game-changing when you’re staying in someone else’s house.

Find all your Travel Essentials at Gray’s Pharmacy

Finding the essentials for your holiday travel plans couldn’t be easier when you’re shopping at Gray’s Pharmacy. We have everything you need online or we can help you to find your favourite products when you visit our Irish independent-owned community Pharmacy in Castletroy, Limerick.

We have a great range of health care products, as well as personal care and beauty products, and we offer a range of services including prescription drugs, and diabetes testing in-store and via our online services. We’ll be here whenever you need us, especially during the festive season, and we’re always happy to offer advice and information about any health queries you and your family may have. Pop in and see us soon!