Here are some healthy travel tips that might help you stay healthy.

Are you traveling this holiday season?  Don’t be fooled by the almost nonexistent flu season of last year. In fact, some experts suggest that the flu could come roaring back with more opportunities to spread this fall and winter in reopened schools, workplaces, and businesses, especially where masks are not mandated. 

Unfortunately, we still need to get where we’re going.  Here are some healthy travel tips that might help you avoid catching the latest bug.

1. Load up on Vitamin C – Your immune system will need all the help it can get while dealing with crowded airports, bus depots and train stations. Take extra vitamin C before, during and after your trip to give your immune system the edge it needs.
   
   
2. Stay Hydrated – Water is your best option, but apple or orange juice work too since they’re high in vitamin C. If you’re already feeling stuffy, warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and keeps you hydrated. Skip the coffee and alcohol as they can dehydrate you.  When you’re dehydrated, your mucus membranes dry out and your body becomes more susceptible to infection.
   
   
3. Use Saline Solution – Use saline nasal sprays to irrigate your nose. The saline helps break up nasal congestion while also removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline drops and sprays don’t lead to a rebound effect (a worsening of symptoms when the medication is discontinued) and most are safe and non-irritating.
   
   
4. Wash Hands Frequently – Whether you’re traveling by car or by plane, hand washing is crucial. Try singing the ABC song to ensure you’re washing long enough.  That can get a little tricky in the air with those tiny sinks and needing to hold the faucet handle down just to keep the water running!  So, keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your carry-on.  Use sanitizer before you eat or drink and after you’ve touched surfaces in the plane, like the overhead bins and tray tables.
   
   
5. Disinfect Surfaces – Speaking of tray tables – before you pull yours out, carry a small pack of Clorox or disinfectant wipes and wipe down the surface. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cold and flu viruses can survive up to 72 hours on plastic surfaces, while noroviruses can survive for two to four weeks.  Antibacterial wipes are TSA friendly since they’re not a liquid, and you can use them to clean your hands, as well as wipe down your seat, arm rests, tray table, and especially your seatbelt before you sit. 
   
   
6. Get Enough Sleep – Sleep is essential to our health and well-being. Research has suggested that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the common cold virus. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick. So, getting proper sleep is very important before and during your travels. Consider packing a travel pillow and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to help you sleep more soundly on airplanes and drives.