If you’re traveling on a plane, you may be worried about getting sick.
Our immune systems aren’t built for planes—those stale cartridges we have to sit in, breathing in each other’s breath. But there also isn’t really any such thing as “boosting” your immune system—at least not with a quick fix.
So how do you avoid sickness on planes?
- Do some real immune system prep. The only way to actually get your immune system stronger in preparation for travel is to be your healthiest self in the weeks leading up to it. Get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. In the weeks leading up to your trip, just don’t do anything to deliberately compromise your immune system.
- Get a flu shot. The best time to get it is 1-2 weeks before you hop on a plane. However, even if you need to get it later, it still can protect you. If you really hate needles, ask about the nasal spray.
- Don’t waste money on immune boosters or fancy vitamins. As mentioned before, there’s no miracle product to boost your immune system. Even Emergen-C isn’t proven to work. Just do the hard work of being healthy, and you won’t have to worry about downing a million vitamins.
- Instead, eat a lot of fruits and veggies. These provide plenty of the vitamins you’d be getting from those “immune boosting” pills anyway.
- When you’re in the airport and on the plane, wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands frequently in general, too, but if you’re trying to avoid sickness while traveling, it’s especially important. No need for fancy antibacterial soaps—plain soap and warm water will do just fine.
- Don’t touch dirty surfaces, or disinfect them if you have to. Grab the handle of that bathroom door with a paper towel, and wipe down your airline tray table with wipes. It’s just another way to keep yourself safer.
