Strategies for Maintaining Health During Air Travel
Ready to jet-set without catching a bug on your next trip? Here's how to stay healthy while flying, as suggested by experts.
Before You Take Off
Preparation is key to staying well during air travel. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you board.
- Immune Defense:
- Load up on fluids: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Manage stress: Relax and try stress-busting techniques.
- Eat nutritious meals: Fuel your body with a vitamin-rich diet.
- Get enough rest and exercise: Keep your body strong to ward off germs.
- Smart Seat Selection:
- If offered, choose a seat that's less likely to be crowded, such as a window seat or one in the back of the plane. Past studies suggest these seats may have fewer germs than others.
- Pack essentials: Don't forget a mask, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and healthy snacks.
During the Flight
Once you're airborne, follow these suggestions to keep germs at bay.
- Protective Gear:
- Wear a mask to shield yourself from respiratory viruses.
- Opt for hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available.
- Hygiene Practices:
- Wash your hands frequently and use disinfecting wipes to clean tray tables, armrests, and seat belts.
- Stay hydrated: Drink water regularly to avoid dehydration.
- Avoid Germs:
- Keep your hands away from your face: Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth can spread germs.
- Clean your hands often: After using public transportation, touching doorknobs, handrails, or elevator buttons.
Post-Flight
Even after you've landed, you're still at risk for catching something. Here's what to do once you've touched down.
- Wash Up:
- Head to the airport washroom to wash your hands well.
- Carry on the habit throughout your trip to keep germs at bay.
- Maintain Healthy Habits:
- Don't let your vacation throw off your routine. Stay hydrated, eat nutritious foods, and get regular exercise to keep your immune system strong.
- To augment your life and remaining healthy during travel, take the time before you take off to practice immune defense strategies like staying hydrated, managing stress, eating nutritious meals, and ensuring you get enough rest and exercise.
- For a more realsimple and effective approach to travel planning, consider smart seat selection by choosing less crowded seats, such as a window seat or one in the back of the plane, and by packing essentials like masks, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and healthy snacks.
- During the flight, adhere to protective gear recommendations by wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, and washing your hands frequently while also maintaining hygiene practices like disinfecting surfaces and avoiding germs by keeping your hands away from your face.
- Post-flight, continue with regular protective measures by washing your hands well once you've landed and carrying on healthy habits like staying hydrated, eating nutritious foods, and getting regular exercise to boost your immunity.
- To ensure a balanced health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and lifestyle while traveling, memorize the above tips to stay healthy while flying and maintain these habits during your journey to keep germs at bay and your immune system strong.
