How to Stay Healthy on an Airplane
Whether you are flying down south to escape a northern winter or flying across the world on a trip of a lifetime, there is nothing worse than getting sick once you arrive at your destination. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, passengers are prioritizing healthy air travel more than ever. Many travelers have been focused on COVID-19, but there are other ways you can become ill on a flight. Luckily, some steps can be taken to ensure healthy air travel for yourself and those around you.
Sleep Well and Get Plenty of Rest
Staying healthy while traveling begins while you are still at home. Getting a good night's sleep the night before your flight will help keep your immune system strong and ready to fight off viruses and germs.
Wear a Mask
Many airlines made masks mandatory during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although masks are now no longer required on flights, they are still a great way to protect you from colds, the flu and other airborne infections. A well-fitted mask is an easy way to ensure healthy air travel.
Wash Your Hands
This may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people don't wash their hands after using the restroom. Even if you haven't used the bathroom, if you are prone to resting your head on your hands or touching your face a lot, you should make a habit of washing your hands regularly. It’s also a good idea to wash your hands immediately before you eat or handle food or drink.
If you're tired of singing the Alphabet Song or Happy Birthday (twice) to get the timing right, try "Frére Jacques." Or sing the chorus of one of these songs: Dolly Parton's "Jolene," Beyoncé's "Love on Top," Lizzo's "Truth Hurts" or Prince's "Raspberry Beret."
Carry Travel-Size Antibacterial Hand Cleanser or Wipes
If getting up to wash your hands every time you eat is not convenient while flying, consider carrying a TSA-approved-size bottle of antibacterial hand cleanser or wipes. Keep them within reach for a quick wash. People's hands carry everything from traces of fecal matter to harmful bacteria on them, and by merely touching handles and headrests or shaking hands, you can easily pick up and digest these microscopic elements.
Wipe Down Your Tray and Armrests
Antibacterial wipes are also convenient for wiping down your seat, seatbelt, tray, armrests and anything else you may touch in your seated area. Make sure to do this as soon as you get on the airplane before everyone settles in for the flight. Wiping down your area will help lessen your exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses.
Cover Your Sneeze or Cough and Blow Your Nose
If you unexpectedly get sick, it’s best to stay home. Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance is a great investment so you won’t lose out on any money if you have to make last-minute changes to your travel plans.
Sometimes you don’t have a choice but to carry on with your travel plans even if you’re not feeling great. If you are entering an airplane with a cold, be considerate to other passengers by wearing a mask, sneezing into the crook of your arm and blowing your nose into disposable tissues. Bring a small bag with you to safely dispose of used tissues and ensure that you have antibacterial wipes or liquid to clean your hands (as we mentioned above, your hands will leave traces of virus on everything you touch). Just because you can fight off a cold, doesn't mean everyone else on the airplane easily does — nor do they want to!
Experts agree you should leave your mask on when you sneeze. An uncovered sneeze can send germ-infected droplets up to 30 feet away, which is longer than a lot of small aircraft. And while you think covering it with your hands will help prevent the spread of those germs, it is easy to forget to disinfect your hands prior to touching something or someone. Instead, carry a back-up mask (or several) so that if you make your mask moist you can swap it out for a fresh one. Also make a habit of sneezing or coughing into your elbow, so that when you touch other things you won't be spreading your germs.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking lots of water will ensure that the notoriously dry airplane air won't make you overly thirsty. Keeping your respiratory tract moist will help protect against any ingested germs and support healthy air travel. It also helps you flush out any viruses your body may already be fighting. As a bonus, staying hydrated will keep your skin from getting too dry.
While you're not allowed to bring liquids through airport security, you can bring an empty reusable water bottle with you and fill it with water once you are on the other side of security. Remember to keep the mouth of your water bottle away from the tap, because many other people's mouths and water bottles have touched it! You can also purchase bottled water in the airport or even request a cup of water once onboard (it's usually free).
Avoid drinking water from the bathroom sink on the airplane. Although it may be treated, it is sitting in a tank, and its freshness is not guaranteed. It is fine to wash with, but not to drink. Some airplanes have a warning sticker in the restroom advising people against drinking tap water.
Stretch Your Legs
Another good reason to drink plenty of water while flying is that it will make you have to use the restroom, which means you will get the opportunity to stretch your legs. A leg clot or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential medical condition that can occur during air travel. Prolonged periods of immobility combined with cramped legroom increase the risk of these conditions. If you cannot get up to stretch your legs due to turbulence or other issues, simply tapping your feet will stimulate movement in your leg muscles and help prevent DVT. If you notice your legs or feet start to feel numb, then it is time to get moving with simple stretches or a brief walk to the restroom and back.
Only Use Packaged Headphones and Pillows (or Your Own)
The majority of reputable airlines offer clean and packaged blankets, pillows and earbuds (or headphones). You should never use airplane blankets or pillows that don’t come packaged. The last thing you want is to snuggle up with a blanket that the previous person used as a tissue.
Ensure Your Vaccinations Are Up To Date
As with all travel, your best defense against life-threatening diseases and serious illness is to be up to date on your vaccinations. Check the requirements for where you’re visiting and schedule an appointment with your doctor to make sure you’re fully vaccinated before you depart.
Invest in Travel Medical Insurance
Even the best-laid plans sometimes don't work, and despite your efforts for healthy air travel, you can get sick. If you are traveling outside of your home country, it is important to buy travel medical insurance to cover yourself against illness. Travel health insurance plans can include access to an emergency assistance medical hotline, trip cancellation coverage, universal pharmacy discount savings and help in finding a reputable hospital, doctor or medical facility. Travel medical insurance means that if you get sick while traveling, you have access to quality medical care without having to unexpectedly pay a fortune. With a little preparation, you can hopefully avoid getting sick from an airplane and arrive at your destination just as healthy and as germ-free as before you boarded.
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