4 things to do before you leave (health-wise)

Your physical and mental health; two things that are incredibly important in relation to your general wellbeing. In this day and age, we all seem to suffer from some health problem, from eczema to asthma.

So how can you make sure you're equipped before you head to another country to live for a few weeks, months, or even a year? Here's my 4-step plan of what to do before you leave, to make sure your physical and mental health is kept in good nick. As a student who suffers from both physical and mental illnesses, this has helped me to manage my conditions at home, and away, and given me so much peace of mind, which is vital when you've got all the changes of moving/getting used to a new country in the first place!

1) Visit your GP and inform them of your leaving

I left this one a little late, (2 weeks before jetting off, don't try it yourself, you'll regret it majorly) and I realised it's the sort of thing you should really have out of the way at least a month prior to your departure. If you suffer from any serious medical conditions, or mental illnesses that can put yourself or others at risk, it's a good idea to speak to your GP quite a while before, so they can do any check-ups (blood tests, urine tests etc), speak to you about how to manage your conditions, what you need to do once you've arrived, any paperwork that needs to be filled out, and to give them time to write up your prescriptions, and you enough time to pick up your medication (especially if it's 3 months worth! ).

2) Ask for a medical letter (you should have any significant health problems)

I'd recommend this anyway, no matter how small and insignificant your health problems are. Before you leave, ask your GP for a long letter (you might get charged for printing, but it's worth it) detailing any medical conditions you suffer from, and the medication you're taking, in the event that you need to convey this a doctor abroad as soon as possible, and in case you need medication quickly. It makes explaining your conditions to your doctor abroad so much easier, especially if they can see the state of the condition you're suffering from, any recent test results so they can get an idea of your current health, and the current dosage, and exact medication you're taking.

3) Stock up on any necessities (vitamins, painkillers, asthma pumps, etc. )

For little things (vitamins and painkillers), I'd advise stocking up early (I got to Italy and had to fork out over 5 euros for painkillers, and nearly 15 euros for antihistamines), especially, if it's basic medication like paracetamol, ibruprofen and such. For any prescription drugs, such as codeine (heavy painkillers), asthma pumps and other medication you may run out of, try and have these a few months in advance, so you don't have to ask for loads of medication all at once. Vitamins and minerals that you need to take, you can pick up at Holland & Barrett, or specialist health food stores, and these will cost less than half they'd cost abroad (such as cranberry tablets).

4) Ask your doctor for the maximum amount of medication (for your illness)

Usually, the most a doctor can give you in terms of medication is up to 3 months work of meds, unless you're taking the contraceptive pill, in which case, you can usually obtain a year's worth. This will at least give you enough medication for the forseable future, and upon arrival, you should register with a local doctor (if you can) and explain that in a few months time, you'll need more medication (hopefully, that's enough notice, and that will give you enough time to go through the mountains of paperwork that you'll be bombarded with).

It sounds silly, but these are things you don't even think about before you leave for your third year abroad, and you'll be saved so much aggravation and stress, as well as blood, sweat and many, many tears if you just get this out of the way weeks and months before your departure. Now, your next stress is battling the medical system abroad, having to fork out euros for appointments, and then having to keep up a good level of whatever language you study, so you make yourself comprehensible!

And hopefully, you'll feel a little less like this!