9 Pieces Of Advice From Doctors To Avoid Getting Sick During Holiday Travel

Dec 27, 2018

There are all kinds of benefits to being a doctor. You're very well paid. You're very well respected. And best of all, you get to help others. However, there's one benefit of being a doctor that is often overlooked, and that's knowing the best preventative measures to keep from getting ill, particularly when traveling during the holidays when germs run abound.

We (hopefully) shouldn't have to tell you to brush your teeth, but it can be a really good way to stave off illnesses. If you've been exposed to any germs inside your mouth, giving your teeth a good brushing can make a world of difference. Consider brushing your teeth in the airplane bathroom or at the airport upon landing. You want to give your body as much protection from germs as possible.

Think you can't live without milk or cheese? Well, you might want to put that to the test. Dairy consumption can increase production of mucus, which can in turn increase risk of contracting viruses. Make sure to limit your dairy consumption as much as possible, particularly when traveling.

You should know that washing your hands is a must for avoiding germs, but it shouldn't stop with your hands. Your wrists are a potential breeding ground for all kinds of germs. In order to stop these from spreading, you need to make sure that when you're washing your hands, make sure you're also scrubbing up and rinsing your wrists. 

If you're traveling during the colder months, you're at serious risk for illness through dry skin. While you want to make sure to drink plenty of water and eat foods that are full of water, you can also benefit greatly through using lip balm. Lip balm helps with dry skin by serving as a barrier that keeps viruses from coming in.

A hooded sweatshirt doesn't just protect you from the cold and rain. It can always protect you from germs. If you're traveling in a seated environment like a plane or train, you want to avoid germs from previous passengers that have been left on the seats. With a hoodie, you can rest comfortably without being exposed to these germs.

It might be tempting to dip into a bowl of cashews to whet your appetite for the moment, but you may think twice about it when you realize just how many germs transfer from people handling the contents. Someone with a cold could've been going through them just minutes before. Now, their illness is your illness, even though you haven't so much as made eye contact with them. If you need a snack, make sure you have one for yourself.

No, we don't mean D as in "donuts." Vitamin D helps the immune system by staving off illnesses. There are all kinds of foods that are rich in vitamin D. These include fish such as salmon, shrimp, orange juice, and oatmeal. Before and while traveling during the holidays, make sure you are loaded up on vitamin D as much as possible.

It might not be the prettiest image in the world to blast your nostrils full of spray, but being healthy means making sacrifices. Even if you don't feel a cold coming on, nasal spray can work through its protective policies. It acts as a shield against viruses, ensuring that you can breathe comfortably while you travel.

So many illnesses originate with a sneeze or a cough. This is because germs spread rapidly via these expulsions. You could be a couple feet away from someone who has just sneezed or coughed and still be at risk for absorbing their germs. In order to avoid this, you want to suppress your breath and be at least a couple of yards away before breathing again.

It's no fun to be sick, especially not during the holidays. Each of these nine methods is easy to follow. Do you have any tips yourself? Show this to anyone family members or friends who want to avoid illnesses while traveling during the holidays.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!