WanderfulAdventuring
***Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical health profession, therefore all of my advice will come directly from the World Health Organization and/or the Center for Disease Control; Links will be provided.***
Ways to Avoid Getting Sick on Your Travels.
Getting sick while traveling is unfortunately common and can put a damper on your adventures. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to try to prevent this sickness and keep yourself happy and healthy while traveling.
Furthermore, with news of the escalation of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreading, it is only logical that many travelers are increasingly concerned about ways to protect themselves and their companions from getting sick while traveling.
As such, I’ve compiled a list of the most important things you can do to avoid getting sick while traveling!
PRACTICE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS (ALWAYS)
The best way to stay healthy while traveling is to start your travels healthy! This means practicing healthy behaviors before you leave. This includes drinking lots of water, eating well, getting plenty of exercise, and possibly taking a multivitamin. These things may seem like common sense, but let your travels be a reminder to stop slacking when it comes to your health.
If you happen to catch a cold before an upcoming trip, go to the doctor to get it taken care of quickly and correctly. If you get on the plane already sick, your immune system is going to have a much tougher time battling the germs in your new environment.
WASH YOUR HANDS!
This may seem obvious, but washing your hands frequently is crucial to avoid sickness in public places such as airports. You should wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose, and really whenever you get the chance. If you don’t have access to soap and water or your hands aren’t visibly dirty, you can also use hand sanitizer. Just make sure it has 60% or more alcohol content! I keep my hand sanitizer clipped to my bag and easily accessible at all times while I travel!
DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE
You would be surprised at how much you absent-mindedly touch your face throughout the day, but resist the urge to rub your eyes or scratch your nose! You will be touching many surfaces with a plethora of new germs and you do not want to give those germs a one-way ticket into your body through your face!
LIMIT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
I know the option to order an alcoholic beverage on a plane may seem tempting, but if staying healthy is your priority, consider the effects that alcohol can have on your immune system.
STAY HYDRATED
It is easy to become dehydrated while traveling! Try to keep a water bottle on hand and refill it whenever possible.
DISINFECT SURFACES
Consider keeping some lysol on the go wipes with you. It will only take a few seconds to wipe down arm rests, trays on the plane, ect- just to be safe! Especially if you are going to be eating on these surfaces.
KEEP THE STRESS TO A MINIMUM
Stress can manifest itself as physical symptoms. In fact, I’m quite certain this is the reason I experience nausea almost every morning I begin a solo trip. My suggestion is to try to keep your stress to a minimum. Yes, I know this sounds like an impossible feat for some travelers, but it is an important factor to consider if you want to maintain a healthy mind and body. You should make sure you are prepared ahead of time for your trip (ie. arrive early, be organized, have a plan B for mishaps, read this blog) and try to remind yourself that it really isn’t the end of the world if things don’t always go as planned.
BE ALERT, NOT ANXIOUS
As Doctor Mike from Youtube said: be alert, not anxious! It is certainly important to be aware of the health concerns you may face as a traveler, and how to cope with the different germs and environments you may encounter. It may be beneficial for you to visit the CDC’s website for destination-specific guidelines and health recommendations.
That said, it is also important to remain calm and to fact-check certain information. There are so many false news reports right now that are stirring up panic about COVID-19. Do not believe everything you read and make sure to visit the CDC and WHO websites for factual information about the virus and general health recommendations for travelers.
WHO: https://www.who.int/
Lastly, DO NOT use or allow others around you to use the news about COVID-19 as an excuse to be racist or xenophobic. This type of behavior is unacceptable and irrational.
