Getting sick is the last thing you want if you’re traveling for the holidays. Unfortunately, many of the people you’ll be crossing paths with are Kris Kringle’s of germs.
Sometimes these germs can have severe consequences. Pneumonia, viral infections, respiratory illness, and other dangerous immune system busters are lurking on the surfaces of airplanes and trains, and even on the door handles of the shops you visit to deliver Christmas cheer.
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Staying healthy over the holidays starts today. In fact, it should always be in the back of your mind in the months leading up to the season. A preventative lifestyle can keep your immune system ready to handle an all-out assault any time of the year.
The holidays are busy and it is easy to forget about the stuff that keeps you healthy. But maintaining immune support by continuing to exercise, eating nutrient-dense food, and getting enough sleep can offer great support through your travels and the season. Schedule commitments that you can handle and don’t forget about the components of a healthy immune system.
If you’re taking a plane this season, there are some extra precautionary measures worth taking. One of the easiest ways to compromise your immune system is through touching your face after touching infected surfaces, so be sure to wash hands with soap and water after touching virtually anything. Alcohol-based sanitizers will work in a pinch.
Using disinfectant wipes to clean your in-seat tray, armrests, and the seatbelt is also recommended. Plenty of bacteria and viruses reside on these surfaces and can compromise your health in a heartbeat. Opening the bathroom door with a paper towel is also recommended.
Using a nasal lubricant and ensuring you remain adequately hydrated throughout the flight can also reduce the likelihood or airborne or surface infections. Nasal lubricants can be sprayed into the nose, or you can elect to use your own moisture by wearing a surgical mask. Staying hydrated and moist can make it much more difficult for harmful bacteria viruses to get in your system and incubate.
Maintaining immune strength and providing some reinforcement during your travels can help you stay healthy and prevent a potentially serious illness.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
