The Healthy Pregnant Traveler

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Most women can travel without problems well into the pregnancy. Even if the pregnancy is uncomplicated, consulting with the obstetrician before trips may avoid many issues.

Pregnant women can generally fly on most airlines until 7 or 8 months into the pregnancy. US airlines used the cut-off of 36 weeks and foreign carriers may prohibit flights after 35 weeks. Check with the airline about their policies before making the reservation. However, if there is a risk of premature delivery, it is wise not to travel by air at all. Cruise ships may also have limits for pregnant women travelers; for many cruise lines, pregnant women beyond 23 or 24 weeks are prohibited from boarding the ship.

When booking hotels, the pregnant woman should speak to the hotel specifically to get details about the services offered. Having a bathroom in the hotel room is important for the pregnant woman because late-night bathroom trips or requests for a key to the restroom can be a huge burden. The pregnant woman also has frequent fluctuations in temperature so having access to the air conditioning or heating controls is also key when selecting a hotel. Comfort in a hotel is important when pregnant.

Food selection and availability during travel while pregnant can be challenging. Pregnant women should have a snack bag prepared in the hotel; high fiber foods are a necessity. Travel can disrupt the digestion of pregnant women; having whole wheat crackers, fiber bars and dried fruits are all good options. Pregnant women should also be careful about food consumed while traveling as well. Eating the wrong foods may have harmful implications for the pregnancy. Asking questions can avoid this problem.

Following these steps can allow a pregnant woman and her significant other to go on a last trip and spend some time at a romantic hotel in before the baby arrives.

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Traveling with Larger Pets

A Labrador Retriever in the snow.
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Some people take their pets everywhere, and this includes those who have pets that will not fit into a large purse or other small carrier. Some people think nothing of taking their 100-pound German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever with them when they travel.

Surprisingly, although it may seem like a lot of trouble to travel with larger pets, it can be fairly easy. The important thing to remember is that the pet will need plenty of room to move around. Therefore, if you do not own a large pick-up with extra cab space or a covered bed, or a sports utility vehicle or crossover vehicle, you may want to consider renting one when you take a longer trip.

Remember, going on a longer trip will be different than just running around town. Your pet may be comfortable enough in the car for short rides, but longer ones will be different, and it will need room to stand up, turn around, stretch, and otherwise “work the kinks out.”

The next thing to check for is pet-friendly lodgings, especially those that accept larger dogs. (Many motels and hotels have a size limit; others don’t.) If you are traveling on a budget, you can simply set a price range for your lodging expenses, and start contacting hotels and motels in that range to inquire about their pet policy. You’re bound to find one that will welcome your larger pet, especially if you’ve trained it well.

Larger dogs can also be harder to take care of medically while on a trip, so consider getting a pet insurance policy that covers medical issues even while on the road.  This ensures you’ll be able to afford the proper care it needs to make a full recovery.

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What You Wear When You Travel Matters

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Everyone has heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”. You’d think that when you are traveling that the saying didn’t apply. After all everyone that is traveling has a common goal to get to where they want with the least amount of stress and frustration possible. Since there is a common goal you’d assume no one is judging you for wearing your comfortable sweatpants and sweater on the plane but in fact what you wear can play a vital part in some aspects of traveling.

The majority of travelers will dress for comfort and ease of traveling. This doesn’t mean that you jump into the dirtiest pair of clothing you own and wear them on the plane. It does mean that you wear something that isn’t form fitting and tight, and allows for a lot of room to move around in. After all, you’ll be sitting in the same seat for hours on end so you’ll want to be comfortable.

Comfortable clothing is great if you want to stay with the seat that you purchased but what if you want to get upgraded to first class. Studies have been conducted on airlines that upgrade passengers to first class. In this study it suggested that airlines are more likely to upgrade a passenger that looks professional and are dressed in professional attire. So if you are looking to get a free upgrade, dress for success. While it won’t guarantee that you will get an upgrade it could be very helpful.

While the last thing a traveler needs is to worry about what they are wearing when traveling. Remember that if you dress in professional attire you’re chances of being upgraded increase ten fold. However, if you don’t get upgraded it could lead to a very uncomfortable plane ride to your destination.

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Travel A Little Known Stress Reliever

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Think about your day for a moment? How many hours did you work? How much sleep did you get? The average person is known to work 8 or more hours. They also receive less then 7 hours of sleep and pack into their daily schedule work, social lives and family life. All these demands and a lack of sleep can stress a person out. While there are many relaxation exercises, rituals and other activities that can be done to relieve stress; there is a little known stress reliever called travel.

When a person mentions traveling most people imagine stress. In actuality, traveling can be for many people a form of relaxation. Sure, the planning and transportation can be a bit stressful but once you reach that destination it can be a stress free environment.

No matter the location or destination, by making travel plans it allows a person to have a designated time or relaxation and peace. Traveling allows people to be removed from their daily stressful lives and put into a situation that is relaxing, fun and care-free. In fact, some studies have shown that by taking one vacation a year it can dramatically reduce the amount of stress the body is under. With less stress, productivity at work and other areas of daily living increases and becomes more efficient.

If you are unable to get away for a long distance trip, a simple stay at a hotel for a day or two will be just as effective. The hotel trip will allow you to remove yourself from a stressful situation and relax for a day or two. Just remember to leave all work related materials at home!

Next time you’re feeling stressed, think back to the last time you’ve had a vacation. If it’s been a while consider getting away with a mini vacation or short hotel stay. You’ll feel refreshed, relaxed and stress-free when you get back!

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Versatility of Travel Nursing Jobs

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Travel nursing jobs are available to nurses in about every state and in multiple environments. These jobs are in the specialties of physical therapy, speech language, occupational therapy and more. They are high-paying and come with many other amenities such as free private housing and local accommodations.

This type of job comes as a pack of multiple week assignments. They can range from 2 week to 5 week assignments. The agency that processes these jobs accumulates them all over the United States. The nurse will be provided with a furnished apartment in a safe area of town and close to the hospital if the client is in the hospital.

This traveling lifestyle for nurses will not be for everyone but for the individual who is unattached and enjoys travel, it could be the perfect set up. There will be additional licensures which the traveling nurse will have to acquire for various states. These also are reimbursed by the hiring agency.

The travel nursing jobs can be found on the Internet on the websites of potential employers. These sites are easily navigable and the nurse can find a job in a state or area where he or she is wanting to work. The nurse will be able to select her specialty and the area or state where he or she wants to be or simply work his or her way across the United States. The nursing job may even be a six to nine month in a specific hospital working with multiple clients.

Another advantage to the travel nursing job is the fact that the traveling nurse will get a wide experience of knowledge from the best hospitals in the United States. The options are great because he or she has the United States as the employment field. Boredom gone, excitement and variety come on down with a career as a travel nurse.

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