Whether your traveling domestically or internationally getting sick while you’re out of town is miserable. When people think of getting sick on the road they immediately think travelers’ diarrhea, especially international travelers. While this can be a major problem the most common sickness seen on the road is actually the common cold. Here are a couple of good practices that could prevent you from carrying around a box of kleenex and your favorite decongestant the next time you leave town.

A Healthy Family Vacation

First, washing your hands is the best way to prevent any type of sickness, but we tend to do it less on the road because the bathrooms on the airplanes are terrible, were in a hurry, bathroom is out of soap, or we might just be more fearful of the facet than we are of the actual germs on our hands. Here is an easy fix.  Buy 2 bottles of antibacterial hand sanitizer, 3oz or under for the plane and a larger bottle after arrival.  Use it often.   Avoid picking your nose, rubbing your eyes, licking your fingers, touching your mouth, or just about anything we see little toddlers do that we never grew out of.

Hand Sanitizer

Second, when you’re on the road it can be difficult to get as much sleep as necessary. However, it crucial to getting enough sleep to keep your immune system functioning properly. Try to get some sort of exercise, even if you don’t do it at home. This will get your blood flowing, which is, great for your circulation and will make you sleep better at night. If possible bring your pillow from home. Consult your physician about over the counter items that will help you sleep and boost your immune system. My personal favorite is a product called Travelers Defense.

Traveling doesn’t have to be hard on our bodies. Use common sense like washing your hands and getting enough sleep to significantly reduce your chances of getting a cold while you’re on the road.

Have a safe, healthy, and relaxing vacation.

Travelers Defense,