Travelling is fun and rewarding, but when go on holiday, you inevitably expose yourself to lots of germs and bacteria. Not only is your immune system unfamiliar with the strains you may encounter, you're also staying in hotels and flying in airplanes that put you in close quarters with a large number of other travellers. There's no surefire way to prevent illness, but there are a number of precautions you can take to help you avoid getting sick. Here are a few of our recommendations for staying happy and healthy on holiday.
The aeroplane is your first destination on a trip, and it's also the place where you'll be closest to other passengers. There are a few ways to safeguard your health to help you avoid getting sick on the flight. Veteran traveller, blogger and television host Rick Steves recommends avoiding alcohol on the flight. While a cocktail may help you relax, it can also dehydrate you in an already dry environment, weakening your immune system and causing feelings of tiredness. While on the flight, drink plenty of water and avoid sugar and coffee. Take regular walks if possible to improve circulation.
"If you're heading off on holiday, there are a few ways you can boost your immune system and protect your health to help stave off illness."
Exercise releases endorphins, which help you feel great! It also increases circulation. While on your trip, try to stay active as often as possible. This is usually an easy one to accomplish, as it's natural to walk around to various destinations, attractions and sites while on your trip. If your holiday accommodation is located at a beachside resort or other remote destination, perhaps long walks on the beach and a yoga session or two could be in order.
Washing your hands is the easiest and most reliable way to stop the spread of germs. Wash your hands on a regular basis, particularly after using the toilet and before eating meals or snacks. This may seem like common sense, but it's an important point to remember.
In everyday life, using antibacterial soaps isn't always worth it. The Australian government's Better Health Channel states that antibacterial products are 'no more effective at preventing infection' than simple soap and water. However, when you're on holiday, you may not always have soap and water available. If you think this may be the case in your destination, consider carrying an antibacterial hand sanitizer with you while you travel.
Supplementing with vitamin C hasn't actually been proven to be effective for preventing the common cold, so there's no need to load up on sugary orange juice! However, making sure you get a healthy variety of vitamins and minerals can help the immune system to function optimally, potentially preventing you from getting sick. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables while on holiday, and consider taking a multivitamin while you're at it.
If you're out and about exploring your location, sometimes meals may fall by the wayside. Have a few healthy snacks on your person in case this becomes a concern. Dried fruit, bags of nuts and low-sugar muesli bars are a few healthy options that are easy to consume on the go.
While on holiday, it can be tempting to stay up late exploring your destination, or partying it into the night with your travel companions. Enjoy yourself, but take care to get a healthy amount of sleep each night. According to the Mayo Clinic, a lack of sleep can make you more likely to get sick, and can also impact your ability to recover. Most experts recommend that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep per night.