9 Tips to Help You Avoid Getting Sick When Traveling

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the last thing you want is to get sick. Unfortunately, being in close proximity to other people in airplanes, trains, and buses can increase your chances of coming down with something.
But don’t despair! There are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself from getting sick when you travel.

By following these tips, you may be able to avoid getting sick when traveling and can get back to enjoying your trip in no time.

1. Get a Flu Shot
This could be the most important thing you can do to prevent getting sick when you travel. The flu shot won’t protect you from every strain of the flu, but it will help your body fight off the virus if you are exposed to it. Make sure to get the flu shot at least two weeks before your trip so that it has time to take effect.

2. Wash Your Hands and Use Hand Sanitizer
Washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness. Whenever possible, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and a carry a small container of it with you. It’s also a good idea to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.

3. Stay Hydrated by Drinking Plenty of Fluids
It’s important to stay hydrated when you travel because it keeps your immune system functioning properly. Drink lots of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as much as possible. These substances can dehydrate your body and make you more susceptible to illness.

4. Eat Healthy, Take Vitamins, Boost Immune System
Eating a healthy diet will help boost your immune system and keep you feeling energetic while you travel. Be sure to pack plenty of healthy snacks like fruits and nuts so that you have something nutritious to eat on the go. Take daily multivitamins to ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need. See– HawaiiImmuneBooster.com or take any other vitamin, mineral or herbal supplement you prefer.

5. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is essential for a strong immune system. Be sure to get plenty of rest before and during your trip. If possible, try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Consider packing a sleep mask, ear plugs for wild roosters on Kauai, or add a white noise app to your phone to encourage a better night’s rest.

6. Exercise Regularly
Exercise is another great way to boost your immune system by increasing blood flow and promoting cell growth. Plan to use your hotel’s gym every day or participate in fitness classes. You can also plot out a route for a daily run or sign up for local yoga sessions.

7. Take Menthol Breath Strips on your Fight
Listerine and generic brand of mint breath strips, taken regularly during your fight or in crowded air-conditioned areas, can deter a virus from attacking you through your eyes, mouth or nose.

8. Limit Stress
Travelers are more likely to increase their stress levels by trying to do too much in too little time. Do your best to avoid over-scheduling yourself. Build in downtime every day so you can have time to unwind or relax. You can also make relaxation part of your trip. Book a massage or carve out time at the beach or pool.

9. Take Steps to Prevent Jet Lag
If you’re flying long distances, the Sleep Foundation explains that there are certain things you can do during flight and before landing to help lessen jet lag symptoms. First, make sure to get plenty of rest before your flight. If possible, avoid flying overnight so you can arrive feeling well-rested. Once you’re on the plane, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Try to nap during your flight to help you feel refreshed upon arrival.

10. Store Medical Info on your Phone or Device
PDFs are a great way to store medical information that you may need while traveling. PDF editors make it easy to create PDFs of your medical information, and you can access them from anywhere with an internet connection. Use a free tool to extract PDF pages, so you only carry the information that you need. You can also email your PDFs or share them via cloud storage services.

Stay Healthy While You Explore

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of staying healthy while traveling. But remember that even if you do everything right, there’s still always a chance you could get sick. If that happens, don’t panic! Make sure to get plenty of rest, eat or drink lots of hot fluids. Take any over-the-counter medications that can help you feel better.

Are you traveling to the beautiful island of Kauai? Let Kauai Adventure and Romance be your guide! We offer great suggestions, provide special offers and can get you directly in contact with activity companies to book a tour. Booking direct and in advance can make your travel plans easier and sometimes less expensive. Visit us online to begin planning your trip– Kauai Adventure & Romance or FREE Kauai Coupon Book

This article is courtesy of Kurt Brown kurtbrown@traveltiptank.com