Taking time to prepare your body before and during your trip will go a long way in keeping your body’s systems functioning properly and avoiding any serious health issues that could put a damper on your travels.
Staying Healthy While Flying
With roughly nine million people traveling by air on any given day, it’s easy to see how people can become exposed to a variety of illnesses that go beyond the common cold. We're talking about such conditions as flu, meningococcal disease, measles, hand, foot and mouth disease, tetanus, and whooping cough, just to name a few.
The CDC recommends travel restrictions for a variety of at-risk people, including the elderly and particularly young children, pregnant women, people with a compromised immune system. Several other factors can put you in the at-risk category when traveling. If you have a medical condition, are undergoing therapy, or have an injury or recent surgery, always be sure to get the "all clear" from your physician before you put the wheels in motion.
Once you’ve checked your risk factors and gotten the green light, there are several simple steps you should take to stay healthy while flying the friendly skies. By being proactive, you can avoid catching or bringing home any unwelcome stowaways – namely, illnesses that are dispersed by sick passengers or that are lurking on the plane itself. Consider this -- planes carry thousands of passengers on a daily basis with only minimal cleanup between travel legs. It's better to be safe than sorry:
- Wash your hands often. This rule is one that should apply evenly, whether you’re at home during flu season or in an exotic location where vaccinations are less common. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Avoid touching your food and face until you have done so – especially after using the restroom.
- Avoid physical contact with other passengers whenever possible. A simple handshake or sharing reading materials is about all it takes to pass germs back and forth.
- Use sanitizers. Anti-bacterial wipes are perfect for wiping down your airplane seat, tray tables, and anything else that may be contaminated by the multitude of people an airplane handles. Hand sanitizers, although most effective when used after hand washing, are a good substitute when proper hand washing is not an option. Alcohol-based sanitizers are most effective to reduce the number of bacteria on your hands.
In addition to contracting disease and illness, WebMD points out there are other risks travelers should be aware of before boarding your next flight.
Being in a pressurized plane cabin can resemble the effects of being 8,000 feet above sea level. What this means for your body is simple, added strain on your respiratory and circulatory systems. Humidity levels inside of an airplane are also significantly lower than what your body is used to on a normal basis. Altered air pressure, lower oxygen levels and lower humidity levels can all result in labored breathing. Some simple ways to combat the effects of these factors are:
- Take controlled, deep breaths. Slow, deep breaths allow more oxygen into your lungs and help lower your heart rate, which can both reduce stress on your body’s systems.
- Remain active during your flight. We are not suggesting yoga in the aisles; however something as simple as getting up to use the rest room can have positive effects on the body. Leslie Kaminoff, a yoga therapist and breathing instructor in New York, suggests tapping your feet and contracting your calf muscles to stimulate circulation and prevent leg clots, or deep vein thrombosis, on long, cramped flights.
- Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is one of the simplest, yet most important ways to stay healthy in general. This particularly holds true when traveling. Avoid sugary sodas and energy drinks and stick with plain water. Not only are there proven health benefits associated with drinking plenty of water, but having to get out of your seat a couple of times to use the bathroom will serve a double duty in staying healthy on your next flight.
Staying Healthy on a Road Trip
According to AAA, roughly 90 percent of all travelers during the holidays in the United States will reach their final destination in an automobile. With the average trip consisting of over 750 miles, it is a good idea to plan your trip accordingly. Of all the things we plan out ahead of time, routes, expenses, lodging, etc., our own health is almost always overlooked.
While you may not need to worry about contracting a nasty virus from one of hundreds of passengers like you do when flying, your car can pose some similarly unhealthy risks. Just like when traveling by airplane, drivers traveling long distances should be mindful of such things as dehydration, cramps and leg clots, and sleep deprivation.
According to an article published by Everyday Health, doing simple things like packing healthy snacks, staying well hydrated, getting plenty of rest and stopping to take frequent “stretch breaks” are all easy ways to help ensure a safe and healthy road trip. When possible, share the driving responsibilities with a partner; it will ease the burden of driving the entire distance and help
Staying Healthy on the High Seas
More than 14 million Americans will embark on a cruise this year and every year, carried in the 185 liners that find their ports of call in our states. Cruises carry their own set of risk factors. We're talking about countless passengers traveling in close quarters for extended periods of time, sharing tables, chairs, and touching common surfaces (ranging from hand rails to bar tops and casino tables) with thousands of other passengers from around the world for days at a time.
Just as with air travel, frequent hand washing is always advisable – and you should avoid touching common surfaces when unnecessary. Most cruise ships have hand sanitizer stations throughout, and you should stop and take advantage of the free, strategically placed antibacterial cleaners when you come across them. In addition:
- To Drink, Or Not To Drink? While onboard, be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration from the hot sun, high temperatures, and late-night shenanigans. But once you reach your ports of call, be wary of water quality. It’s best to research your destinations prior to traveling and ask your concierge whether the water is safe to drink. When in doubt, bring bottled water from the ship to hydrate, avoid drinking tap water, and steer clear of ice (that includes frozen drinks), fresh fruit, and uncooked vegetables, which can all carry bacteria and microbes from the local water supply.
- Battle Seasickness. Whether you bring a box of ginger candies, stock up on Dramamine, or wear an acupressure wristband, you should be sure that you’re prepared for the potential for seasickness – especially if you’re going on your first cruise. There’s nothing worse than missing the captain’s ball because you’re holed up in your room feeling green. If you do find yourself feeling queasy, head up to the Lido deck for some fresh air and spend some time looking at the horizon, which helps ease motion sickness.
- Slather on Sunscreen. Unless you’re accustomed to a tropical climate, chances are that your skin is not ready for the type of sun you’ll be exposed to on a cruise. And even if you want to get a healthy tan, skipping the ‘screen is a surefire way to leave you looking like a lobster and feeling awful for days -- and increase the risk of skin cancer.
When planning your upcoming trip, keep these important tips in mind. You want to make your vacation as memorable as possible.