How Do You Avoid Getting Sick When You Travel?

It can be pretty hard but t is possible to remain healthy and sick free while travelling. Here are some of my tips on how to avoid getting sick during travel, whether it be avoiding getting the cold or flu or stomach issues.

Here some things that I do to avoid getting sick: 

Take Vitamins And Boost Your Immune System Prior To Leaving To Avoid Getting Sick

Take your vitamins and supplements! I’m not going to list them here since I am not a health or wellness expert, but I would suggest asking your doctor what is best for you. At the very least take some Vitamin C and start a few days before you head out.

When I go to special events or conferences where I will be coming into contact with a lot of strangers and shaking a lot of hands, I will drink vitamin sachets to boost my immune system. I always get sick at conferences because I usually don’t get enough sleep, I stay up late going to dinners and having drinks with colleagues, and am shaking hands with strangers.

Lately, I’ve been taking Oxylent which has vitamins, amino acids, electrolytes, no sugar and is gluten, dairy, soy, caffeine and artificial additive free (they use Stevia though).

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Use A Netipot

Do you use a Netipot? What is a Netipot?

A Netipot is a ceramic or plastic pot that looks like a cross between a small teapot and a magic lamp. Nasal irrigation is a personal hygiene practice in which the nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses.

I have heard about this practice for so long but had never tried it until last year. My friend Lisa who is a nurse and has a blog recommended using a Netipot after I had gotten really sick last year. I am not sure how much it helped me after the fact but I think it has helped this cold season since I have been cleaning out my nose and sinuses.

Please note proper instructions if you do decide to start using a Netipot. Distilled water must be used. Do not use tap water!!! There have been fatal cases from using tap water. Also, be sure to clean out the Netipot after each use. I will wash it with dish soap and then dry it right away with a clean dishcloth or paper towel.

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Washing Hands Or Using Hand Sanitizer To Avoid Getting Sick! This is important!

This is very basic but it’s always important to wash hands and even more so during the winter months when colds and flu are rampant. I get a bit freaked out by touching surfaces like door handles, escalators, buttons in elevators, grocery carts, etc. When it’s winter and I have gloves or long sleeves, I’ll use those to cover my hands before I touch things.

The CDC recommends wetting your hands with clean, running water. Turn off the tap and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with some soap. Be sure to lather the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds and then rinse clean.

If you are in a pinch and can’t get to a sink to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. Cleanwell is an all natural brand that I like.

During the plane if you touch your tray table, read the magazine, go to the bathroom, keep washing your hands and using hand sanitizer.
Also, reapply when riding taxis, taking public transit like subways or buses. Just keep applying or washing hands as often as possible!!!

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Bring/Wear A Shawl or Scarf

I don’t only use scarves and shawls for warmth or fashion but to cover my face to protect myself from coughs and sneezes of other people or to shield others from mine.

Wear Eyeglasses When Flying If You Wear Contacts

I wear contacts when I’m out of the house but when I travel I tend to wear my glasses on the plane. The airline cabins are quite dry so they make me want to rub my eyes and that’s a no-no!

When travelling to hot countries where there is strong air conditioning, I bring some eye drops. My friend who’s an optometrist recommended single use drops like Systane. 

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Public Bathrooms (Restrooms / WC / Water Closet)

Public bathrooms…my ultimate nightmare. I hate going but when I’m travelling, I always try to go to the toilet more often than not to avoid being in a situation where there is not a toilet to use and your bladder is full. Do not put your bags on the floor or your toiletry kit on the counter if at all possible.

I try not to sit completely on the toilet and when there are toilet covers, I use them. If there’s a lid, kick it down to cover the toilet before you flush or turn your back to the toilet if there isn’t one. Wash wash wash your hands after using the toilet and heading back out of the bathroom. Use the paper towel to open any doors or touch handles and find a garbage can near the exit or outside to toss out the paper. If not, use hand sanitizer after your visit to the bathroom.

Wear Socks Through Security At The Airport

This is pretty basic information. Depending on the country, you may be asked to remove your shoes during the security process at the airport. If you plan on wearing sandals or no socks with your footwear, be sure to bring an extra pair of socks to slip on and wear during security as well as on the plane. It’s just a good idea to not wear open toe footwear while in transit and on the plane.

Bottled Water For Plane

Don’t drink the water from the plane! There have been many articles lately about the water used on the plane plus I have asked flight attendant friends. It’s worth the high price to buy one in the airport shops for the flight. Or bring a reusable water bottle and refill at the airport if there is a free water fountain. 

Wipe Down Your Area On The Plane With Sanitizing Wipe

You may get weird looks from your seat neighbour but who cares! You’ll never see them again and you won’t be the one who’s sick! Have you seen and read all of those articles lately about the dirtiest places on the plane? I have been carrying wipes for a while and am so happy they now come in handy travel sizes. They have these small pocket sized ones but I also carry the 30 pack because I’m just like that.

Clorox Wipes are my best friends on the plane!

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For Your Stomach

I consider my stomach steel trap but that is just not the case. Over the years, I have had my fair share of stomach issues and they aren’t always during travel. When I lived in Montreal I had a serious case of food poisoning. It was bad and I even had to travel to a conference while I was sick.

I don’t like to eat a lot of dairy but when I travel I will eat some yogurt for probiotics or take a pill. It’s important to have a good healthy gut. There are some shelf stable probiotic pills I take when I am in a jam but the best ones are the kind you keep in the fridge or yogurt (I’m having a container of lactose-free yogurt right now for all you sensitive to lactose). A healthy gut helps us avoid getting sick! 

When I am travelling overseas and eating things street food, I bring some Immodium and Pepto Bismol (chew tabs so you don’t need to worry about the liquid in your luggage). These have saved me on previous trips.

When I went to Asia in the Fall of 2014, I forgot to bring Immodium with me. It was so bad that I ripped through shelves inside a Watsons Pharmacy in Hong Kong. I ate something in Thailand and it hit me 24 hours later. Luckily I did find a box of Immodium but the box was in Chinese with tiny labelling for Immodium.

The best is to have some in a kit for emergencies. Pepto chew tabs are also great. I actually chew them before a street food meal. And I also pack some Tums for heartburn.

Do you have any tips on how to avoid getting sick on the road? 

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How do you avoid getting sick during travel?

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