I travel frequently, as you likely know by now. I’m on a plane, bus, or train at least three or four times a month most of the year. Yet, I rarely get sick. I promise I don’t have some sort of exceptional immune system. The only things I do are follow a few simple tips to keep my risk low.
Remember, this isn’t a guarantee of staying free from illness. These are things to reduce the chances of catching something. Also, just to be clear, I’m not a doctor and this isn’t medical advice, just things I do that seem to be successful.
Wash Your Hands
Yes, it’s an oldie but a goodie – wash your hands. Using simple soap and water, along with about twenty seconds of scrubbing, is the easiest way to protect yourself from the most common illnesses.
Hand and surface sanitizers have their place but, they have minimal effect on certain common bugs, namely norovirus. It’s one of the most common diseases contracted, especially in winter, and especially on cruise ships. Washing your hands will kill norovirus which means it’s the best thing you can do to avoid the vomiting disease.
Sanitizing Wipes and Such
Like I said, using sanitizers has its place. Whenever I get on a plane, bus, train, etc., I wipe the seat down with a sanitizing wipe. I also hit any surface that I touch, like the tray table, and armrests.
These are places where using soap and water just isn’t possible. In those cases, using sanitizers is a good alternative. However, it’s worth making sure that your hand sanitizer contains alcohol. This is a good quick guide from the Mayo Clinic on hand sanitizer.
Avoidance
The phrase “discretion is the better part of valor” comes to mind. Sometimes the best thing that you can do to stay healthy is to simply avoid things that make you sick. That’s why I avoid things like buffets.
Cruise ship buffets are notorious for spreading illness. You can look at the outbreak reports yourself; they list the illness and the remedies taken. But cruise ships aren’t the only place buffets exist. They can also be found in your precious airport lounges. (Full disclosure I have a Delta Reserve card, lest you think I’m throwing shade. I too hold up in the Delta lounge when I travel.)
You’re less likely to get sick when you travel if food is not served by the guests.
No matter the location of the buffet, they all function the same way. Common utensils, common flatware, common glassware and mugs. Anyone in the lounge can touch the serving spoons and they have to when they want to partake of the dishes.
Look, I know that buffets have their place, despite my constant dislike of them. When you use one, though, take the time to wash your hands AFTER, yes, after you touch the serving utensils and before you eat. It’s good practice and will keep you healthier.
Masks
I use a mask when I fly the moment that I hear coughing on the plane, which is usually all winter long. It’s a line of defense from breathing in the floating particles of mucus that someone else just hacked up into the air. Yeah, humans are kinda disgusting!
The mask isn’t something that I bother with in places other than small and enclosed spaces. Airplanes, buses, trains, that’s when I think about it. This is doubly true if the coughing or sneezing culprit is the person next to you.
Sleep
This is the hardest one to do, but it might actually be the best. Try to get enough sleep when you travel and your immune system will thank you. Being well rested is the probably the best defense against illness.
Close the drapes, turn off the lights, and make it cooler in the room.
I understand, it’s hard to do. Flights are early, last-minute packing keeps you up, travel anxiety is commonplace. There’s lots of reasons why sleep deprivation, before and during a trip, is a regular experience. Here’s a few ideas that might help with that:
- If you have an early flight, falling asleep early often doesn’t work for folks. Instead, try to make sure that you get enough sleep two nights before you fly. It’s not perfect, but it’ll help and it’s easier to achieve.
- Make your hotel rooms as dark as possible. Humans, typically, sleep better in dark rooms. Close the curtains (using a chip clip can help keep the drapes together), use a sleep mask, and turn off or hide bright blue LED charging lights on devices.
- Keep your room cool. If you can get your room down below 70 F (19 C), there’s evidence that improves your overall sleep. Hotel rooms are often quite easy to get to these temps but, your home bedroom might be harder.
I hope these all help, they’ve done alright by me. Nothing is foolproof, but we can still take care reasonable steps to keep ourselves healthy.
