Holiday health by numbers

WHEN it comes to staying healthy and happy on holiday, here’s how to figure it out…

26%

The number of people who return from holiday more stressed than when they started. A quarter take two to three days to unwind while around four in 10 (38%) feel rundown or ill while away, according to Nationwide research. Number crunch: Switch off… literally. Turn off your mobile, forget what’s going on back home, relax and enjoy the warm weather, suggests psychologist Dr Gail Kinman.

One in five

That’s how many people suffer travel sickness in the car, according to a survey by Nelsons Travella. Number crunch: Don’t read, sit in the front or middle back seat, watch a film or stare at other cars, and try remedies such as ginger. 25% The percentage of British travellers who said they went away without insurance (up from 22% in 2016), according to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). Number crunch: Insurance policies start at less than £5 for an individual and £17 for a family – compare that to what you could end up paying if something goes wrong!

3,000

The number of travellers a week needing emergency medical care – with the cost of some overseas’ medical treatments more than the price of the average UK house, according to The Association of British Insurers. Number crunch: “Anyone travelling overseas should always take out appropriate travel insurance,” says Mark Shepherd, ABI’S Manager, General Insurance. 1,400 The number of travellers who contracted malaria in 2015 (six of whom died), according to Public Health England. Number crunch: Check whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets before travelling (see fitfortravel.nhs.uk).

4

The number of hours of flight time at which your risk of DVT increases. Number crunch: “Ensure you keep as active as possible by walking up and down the cabin aisle at least once per hour if you are on a long flight,” advises Professor Mark Whiteley, vascular surgeon and founder of The Whiteley Clinic (thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk).

67%

The percentage of holidaymakers seeking medical help for heatstroke, according to flight comparison website Jetcost.co.uk. Number crunch: Heatstroke is easily preventable – wear a hat, stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day and drink plenty of water.

1 in 4

The number struck down with food poisoning, according to travel specialists at law firm Slater and Gordon. Number crunch: Drink bottled water, avoid ice in drinks, peel fruit and beware of buffet food that has been left out for a while.

35%

The number who get sunburn annually, according to a recent poll of 2,000 by the British Association of Dermatologists. Of those, 28% had been burned three times or more. Number crunch: Most people don’t realise they’ve been burnt – particularly if they’re in water or there’s a cool breeze – so it’s vital to avoid the hottest part of the day (between 11am and 3pm), apply liberal amounts of sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ and wear a hat, loose clothes and sunglasses. The face and neck are the areas most commonly affected by sun damage, so apply sunscreen to lips, ears, around the eyes, neck and the scalp if your hair is thinning.

48

The number of drownings over the summer months, according to The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK). Each year figures reveal a spike, and last year saw 15 deaths abroad and 33 deaths in UK waters. Number crunch: The RLSS advises swimming at supervised (lifeguarded) sites, don’t jump into the water until you have acclimatised to the temperature (never from extreme heights) and always supervise children in or near water.

4.4lbs

The average weight gain on a summer holiday – with 62% saying they indulged in too much alcohol and food, according to a survey by Cancer Research UK. Almost half of those surveyed confessed they consume more alcohol on all-inclusive holidays, rather than when they cater for themselves. Number crunch: Enjoy your holiday but make savvy choices, says Dr Sally Norton, NHS weight-loss consultant surgeon and creator of vavistalife.com. For instance, swap creamy cocktails for fruity ones, bypass the bread basket, approach each meal as you would at home and try to be active by getting in the pool and seeing sights on foot.

5.3 million

The number of EHIC cards (European Health Insurance Cards) that expired last year, according to moneysavingexpert.com. Everyone (including children) should have a valid card as it entitles you to state-run medical treatment in EU countries (plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). Number crunch: Apply on the EHIC website or call 0300 330 1350 – it’s free so don’t pay through a bogus website. Even if you’ve already got travel insurance, it’s valuable extra protection, even if just for visiting the local GP with a query while away.