How to stay safe and well this summer

This post provides resources for staying safe and healthy during summer travels, particularly for international trips. Key advice includes careful food choices, safe drinking practices, sunscreen use, hydration tips, and quitting tobacco. All this helps ensure a healthy vacation experience while traveling.

 

In this post I share resources on staying safe and healthy this summer.

Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, for advice and health alerts on travel, particularly if traveling internationally.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update. It may have changed by the time you read this. I invite you to fact-check what you read here.

Please do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

Summer often means travel, and no one wants their vacation spoiled by getting sick. So here is some helpful advice from the New York Times health blog on how to avoid illness, especially if traveling abroad.

International Travel: Tips for Staying Healthy

  • Consider what you’ll eat while traveling. If you’re going to a country with an increased risk of traveler’s diarrhea, plan to eat carefully.
  • Hot, well-cooked food is usually safest.
  • Avoid eating foods from street vendors, unpasteurized dairy products, and raw or uncooked seafood.
  • Peel fruits yourself.
  • Drink water from commercially sealed bottles.
  • Or drink hot or carbonated beverages.
  • Avoid ice.
  • Use bottled water when you brush your teeth.
couple with llamas
up close with llamas at Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

(This post includes affiliate links, where a purchase might pay a commission to this blog, but cost you nothing extra. Thank you. )

Using Sunscreen to Protect Your Skin

How you use sunscreens, and what other protective measures you take, make a difference in how well you protect yourself and your family from sunburn, skin cancer, early skin aging and other risks of overexposure to the sun.

Check out a wide variety of sunscreens at this affiliate link.

Dehydration: Risks and Myths 

In this New York Times article, health writer Jane Brody explains how much water we need to drink to stay hydrated; it may not be what you think. Click the link to read.

Your tap water is probably safe to drink, or you can use a filtered pitcher or device on your faucet. But if you prefer bottled water there are numerous choices ranging from cheap to expensive.

male and female athletes drinking bottled water
credit LIGHTSTOCK.COM

Why not commit to giving up tobacco use this summer? Here are

Exploring the HEART of a Healthy Summer

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Dr. Aletha

Discover Madrid, New Mexico: A Ghost Town Adventure

This post describes a visit to Madrid, New Mexico, while attending a unique wilderness medicine conference in Santa Fe. It highlights the area’s artistic vibe, mentioning that the film “Wild Hogs” was shot there. Additionally, it shares an enjoyable sunset horseback riding experience nearby.

updated November 15, 2025

My husband and I  were in Santa Fe, where I attended a medical conference on wilderness medicine. I don’t practice in the wilderness, but this conference offers fascinating lectures on topics not covered at any other event.

No other medical conference I’ve attended teaches the management of spider, tick, snake,bear, and shark bites, by speakers who have climbed Mount Everest and hiked Antarctica, among other exotic places.

Wild Hogs-the movie

 As with Santa Fe and Taos, art rules in Madrid. Walking around, you may feel like you are on a movie set- and in a way, you are.

The 2007 movie Wild Hogs was filmed here. ( an affiliate link)

Veteran actors John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, and Tim Allen portray middle-aged men who take a motorcycle trip through New Mexico to California. Along the way they find adventure they weren’t expecting, including encountering a motorcycle gang made up of midlife men who don’t like outsiders. But it’s all in fun and good for a lot of laughs.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video to rent or buy.

Madrid, New Mexico

Nestled on the northeast side of the Sandia Mountains is Madrid, New Mexico. Sitting midway along The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, Madrid is categorized as a ghost town even though this small village of about 400 residents is bustling during the summer months with shops, restaurants, and galleries catering to the many visitors along this ancient path.

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And at nearby Los Cerrillos, you can go horseback riding at the Broken Saddle Riding Co.

a man and woman both on horses
We enjoyed a sunset horseback ride while visiting Santa Fe and Taos in New Mexico.

Exploring the HEART of health in New Mexico

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Also from our New Mexico trip

The Art and Science of New Mexico

Taos is an art mecca both within the town and at the Taos Pueblo, which is also a must see for those interested in  Native American history and culture. At the pueblo, tribe members display and sell handmade arts and crafts.