Travel came back in a big way this year and this holiday season may be the busiest yet so buckle up for bumpy ride!
From the stress of getting to the airport to dealing with crowds, sleeping in uncomfortable sleeping arrangements to trying to stave off the holiday flu, add that to all the other stresses that come with the holiday season and it’s enough to push you under the covers until groundhog day!
The holiday travel season, and holidays in general, are an absolute immune system basher. While we try to be jolly, and keep it all together during the holiday season, it can be overwhelming and difficult. But when it comes to staying above the weather this holiday travel season, follow Santa & my favorite healthy travel tips to get you into the new year, cold free no matter if you’re going on a plane, train or car!
Sugar Plum Fairy: Immunity Killer – Who can deny that we have entered the season of treats, sweets and general overindulgence. Sure, it’s totally fine to enjoy a hot cocoa or a slice of pie during the holidays but not every day. Do your best to eat healthy and clean as much as possible, building up your immune system with lots of veggies (dark & leafy are the best) and whole foods. Keep up your exercise routine as much as possible as well as your sleep schedule. Be choosy when you enjoy your desserts and processed carbs because with every bite, you’re suppressing your immune system. Snack safely and take your vitamins!
Sneezin’s Greetings – Flu season reaches its height in late fall and early winter. This is because viruses circulate better in the colder weather but it’s not only cold and flu bugs that become active during colder seasons. Other viruses, such as the norovirus and rotavirus, become more active during winter. Norovirus, known as the stomach flu, easily spreads through contamination in food, drink and surface contact. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people. Rotavirus also causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. So If you’re sick, cough into the crook of your arm and steer clear of any physical contact
Jolly Holiday Crowds – Think of the holiday traditions: catching a show, shopping at a crowded mall, attending holiday parties. All this means you’re indoors in crowds and exposed to everyone’s germs. As people cluster indoors, they use the same doorknobs, banisters and surfaces after wiping their noses or sneezing. During the winter season, we’re more subject to crowding, touching something that’s not hygienic and crowding and we tend to get less fresh air, too. Because it’s so dang cold out, we stay indoors, windows shut, making any virus that may be present more easily spread. Be sure to practice frequent hand-washing (at least 20 seconds wiping both the top, bottom of hands and between the fingers prior to eating and drinking) or use hand sanitizers. Also, occasionally open the window to let fresh air circulate.
Over the river and through the woods…Germs travel too! – Air travel means if there’s a small flu outbreak on the West Coast, that virus could be in New York in less than five hours. Germs don’t pay to travel! When family members travel across the country, they’re bringing along pathogens that have been in their communities and exposing them to new places. And it’s not only the act of being in an enclosed cabin of a car, bus, train or plane. We’re also subject to making our way through the crowds in the airport. Again, frequent hand washing and low contact with strangers will help. And hey, if you’re not opposed, wear a mask to filter out airborne yuckiness!
It’s the most stressful time of the year – End-of-the-year projects, reports, final exams, shopping, family gatherings, money problems — it could be all that work before break that spikes a stress hormone in your body. So much so that the increased cortisol level induces likelihood of infection during the holidays. Cortisol is a natural hormone that responds to stress, lowering immunity and making you more susceptible to infections. It also contributes to weight gain! The interval between acquiring a virus and becoming sick takes about 48 to 72 hours. You may have become infected when you were stressed and the symptoms may start to show right when you go on holiday break. But while stress may be unavoidable, try getting enough sleep, eating well and hydrating. Also, do your best to find things to do that bring you joy so as to counteract your stress. Prevent the stress hormones from wreaking havoc by better planning, avoiding traffic, buying presents earlier.
Also, check out these healthy thanksgiving travel tips to keep healthy and sane this holiday travel season:
- Pack patience! Now that the TSA has added heightened security measures and airlines have tacked on more fees, flying can be a beast. Do your best to give yourself enough time to get through the lines and know that it’s all just part of the experience.
- Pack good attitude! Nothing spoils a holiday trip or exacerbates any problems more than a sour disposition. Do your best to make the most of the situation and enjoy the season because it only comes once a year. You never know what great memories you will make if you’re willing to enjoy the holiday!
- Eat before you leave the house. You should always leave with a full tummy or you will be tempted to nosh on whatever is convenient. And that means expensive junk food that’s bad for you and the trash cans!
- Know before you go. Know which airports you will be flying in and out of, laying over at, etc. Most have websites that show what dining establishments can be found in each terminal. For instance, I know that the Delta terminal at LAX has a Starbucks (for my soy latte) and a CPK express where I can grab a salad or soup for the flight. Most international hubs have chain restaurants or familiar fast food counters where you can order up a healthy meal for your in flight pleasure. From a veggie salad or sandwich at Quiznos to a black Bean Burger at Chili’s To Go, there are ways to not give in to bags of pretzels and pounds of danishes to keep you from passing out on your flight. The World Travel Guide site will lead you to each city’s airport website.
- Stay Hydrated. Seeing as how we cannot bring our own beverages from home anymore, the first purchase to make upon entering your gate is a big bottle of water. Or better yet, pack your favorite glass or BPA-free bottle in your carry on bag and fill it at the airport. This way you save money and you aren’t drinking unhealthy water or contributing to landfill waste. Above all else, staying hydrated during air travel is key to cutting down on fatigue and fighting off the munchies!
- Take your vitamins & eat your veggies. If you’re running around and not able to eat balanced meals on your travel day, be sure to pack water soluble vitamin packets. In addition, there are many powdered veggie drinks that you can down and get your recommended servings of veggies a day to keep your immune system top notch when sucking in recycled air.
- Stay away from caffeine. Drinking caffeinated beverages on or before a flight will keep you from relaxing on the plane. In addition, it messes with your insulin levels and can cause you to overeat.
- Don’t drink alcohol in flight. Alcoholic beverages have double the effect in the air as they do on the ground, so you’re definitely gonna feel crappy when you get to your destination. If you need to relax, grab some all natural melatonin to help you sleep along with some soothing tunes.
- Pack snacks. Stock up on healthy bars, nuts and even sandwiches. Pack your carry-on with your own goodies so you aren’t spending money at the terminal on expensive, crappy food to be sure and have something on hand when hunger strikes.
- Sleep well the night before travel. That’s the toughest with the anticipation and stress that comes with flying during the holidays, but it can be done. And if not, invest in a flight pillow, eye mask, earplugs or noise reducing headphones and a blanket. Bring all the comforts of home with you to make your catching ZZZs in the air easier.
- Plan ahead!. Know where you’re going directly after you pick up your bags at your destination. Home, hotel, family’s house, wherever – map out what is close by in case you need to pick up a snack or a full blown meal so you don’t keel over and start your vacation on a bad foot.
No matter where the holidays take you, I hope it’s healthy, happy and fun!
