DiscoverUSVIMagazine.com

Tips for Health and Wellness

Your visit to a tropical island like St. Croix can generate a sense of well-being that doesn't have to end with your flight home. Whether you plan to fill your days with sightseeing and water sports or spend them with a book on a beach towel, keeping a few commonsense tips in mind will help you stay healthy.

Respect the sun's power — the Virgin Islands are much closer to the equator than the U.S. mainland. Even in shady places, burning rays can find you when they bounce off sand or water, so pile on strong sunscreen early and often. Wear a hat and sunglasses, and avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Carry a water bottle with you and refill it often — local tap water is perfectly safe to drink, and staying hydrated will reduce your risk of heat stroke.

When you walk on the beach, wear foot coverings like flip flops, since sharp bits of shell or coral lurking in the sand could cause a bad cut. Consider investing in a pair of shoes or booties designed to be worn in the water, too, for swimming from the shore.

Allow plenty of downtime in your schedule to recharge your batteries and hang out, or "lime," as local people do. But if you party a bit too heartily and end up with an upset stomach, cold or headache, you can usually find your favorite brand-name remedies on the island.

Should you develop unexpected medical concerns, it's reassuring to know that St. Croix has an acute care facility, the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, serving patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Within the complex is a state-of-the-art, 25,000-square-foot, comprehensive Cardiac Care Center that opened in 2008. The center's highly trained staff serves clients with a full range of diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services.

An emerging trend in international medicine is to schedule elective procedures abroad. Why not maximize your getaway and return home looking and feeling better than ever? Consider a consultation with a professional aesthetician or a U.S.-trained and American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified surgeon at the St. Croix Plastic Surgery & Medispa. This practice specializes in all areas of cosmetic surgery and integrated spa services. Minimally invasive aesthetic facial surgery treatments and more complex procedures are available, including body contouring following weight loss.

Reinvention: It's the essence of a great vacation. By remembering the basics and avoiding unnecessary problems, your trip will be memorable for all the right reasons. You'll return home refreshed, restored and even rejuvenated by your stay.