After the stress of the holiday season and the onset of dreary and cold weather, it’s no wonder that many people are looking forward to taking a little break. Planning a vacation can actually provide some health benefits — but it shouldn’t surprise you that the anxiety of traveling and potential exposure to germs may make you more vulnerable to spending your trip feeling a bit under the weather. Of course, you’ll want to avoid that scenario at all costs. But if you do fall ill when you’re away from home, what should you do?
How to Stop Sickness In Its Tracks
There are a lot of reasons people get sick right before or during a vacation. Often, travelers run on little sleep and may feel pressured to fit in lots of activities. Couple that with time zone changes, dietary disruptions, and the stress of navigating an unfamiliar place, it’s no wonder you might start to feel a little funny while you’re away. You may be able to prevent issues, however, by sticking to your routine as much as possible and by keeping the following tips in mind.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking lots of water can help your body feel its best and flush out what shouldn’t be there. Although “eight glasses a day” is the wisdom many of us take to heart, the right amount of water varies from person to person. A good way to sneak in some extra water is to eat foods that have a high water content — and be sure to avoid alcohol and too much sun exposure, as these will dehydrate you.
- Get Lots of Rest: Sleep is the body’s way of healing itself. Getting plenty of sleep each night leading up to your trip can protect your immune system. If you’re exhausted, your body will be less equipped to fight off any germs it comes into contact with. Plus, you’re more likely to be grumpy and make things miserable for whoever you’re traveling with. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to pack so you don’t have to pull any all-nighters before you leave.
- Boost Your Immunity: In addition to sleep and hydration, you can do your immune system a big favor by treating it with care. Work vitamin C into your diet, start taking some echinacea and some elderberry, and add some other supplements into your regimen. Don’t forget that eating a balanced diet is key. Instead of turning to fast food because you’re stressed and have little time to cook, plan out your meals to ensure you’re getting the nutritional TLC your body needs to stay healthy on your vacation.
- Build in a Buffer: You might be tempted to spend every possible minute of your PTO on the vacation itself. But you might be better off if you give yourself a day or two on either side of your getaway. Having to work full days leading up to or immediately after your trip will deplete a lot of the positive effects associated with a vacation. Instead, take at least half a day off from work (if possible) to finish packing and to recuperate from traveling. Your body will definitely thank you for it.
What to Do When You Can’t “Getaway” From a Cold
Of course, you might not always be able to avoid getting sick upon arrival. The effects of this can range from mildly annoying to downright scary.
Although HIPAA has extended coverage to include business associates with access to health information, you may be worried about how your actual health insurance will come into play if you’re away from home. You might want to look into purchasing trip insurance that includes medical coverage before you leave. But if you didn’t take that step (and a lot of people don’t), you may be able to look up the generic forms of certain medications or even call your doctor back home to help you.
Alternatively, you may be able to ask the hotel concierge for assistance with finding a doctor. Although 59% of travelers would choose one hotel over another based on the availability of allergen-friendly rooms, you might be smart to evaluate your hotel based on proximity to a local hospital or drug store. An urgent care facility also might be able to help you, particularly if you’re traveling domestically. And while you might hate the thought of missing out on the fun during your vacation, you should try to get as much rest as possible. Sticking to a nutritious and bland diet, drinking lots of water, and quarantining yourself from your travel buddies will be the best thing for everyone. The sooner you start taking care of yourself, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to participate in enjoyable vacation activities before you have to go home. Instead of spending the first part of your trip in denial, take some medicine and take it easy. It might not be your first choice, but it definitely beats making your illness worse and having to head home early.
Unfortunately, a cold or more serious illness could potentially ruin any vacation — no matter how careful you are. But if you prioritize your health before you get ready to leave (and baby yourself a bit once you get there), you’ll have a much better shot at having an amazing time away from home.