THIS IS HOW I AVOID CATCHING A COLD ON THE AIRPLANE

These are some tips I use to avoid catching a cold on the airplane. Whether it’s right before reuniting with your extended family for the holidays, vacationing on a tropical beach, or unwinding in a new city, there is never a good time to get sick, especially while traveling. Here are a few tips and must-haves to avoid getting sick…starting with the most important one. Take Zinc before getting on the airplane Personally, taking Zinc before a flight has worked every time for me. Zinc reduces pro-inflammatory substances (cytokines) and stimulates white blood cell activity which ultimately help fight off infectious disorders like colds or other mild illnesses. My personal go-to is a spray that is minty and easy to take: Quantum Health Thera Zinc Spray. Sleep as much as you can This is especially true for longer international flights, but lack of sleep can affect your immune system. Lack of sleep can prevent the substances (cytokins) that normally protect you from viruses to not produce as frequently. If you’re looking for a natural way to knock out, try Melatonin. this is a hormone made from the pineal gland, which helps control your sleep. I personally use Meatonin from Source Naturals, which focuses on more natural and organic ingredients. Exercise It may sound like just another part of your daily routine, but exercising on the day of a flight will help encourage your immune system to fight off bugs. Plus, completing a workout on the day of a flight can help tire you out and put you to sleep. Take Emergen-CPacked with B-Complex and Vitamin C, among many other nutrients, Emergen-C is typically taken when you have a cold and want to alleviate the symptoms, however, for me it has helped avoid colds all together. I usually take this when other family members or coworkers are sick, and especially before boarding a plane- just make sure to get your $10 bottle of water at the airport so you can drink the Emergen-C. Wear a Scarf A couple main reasons why it’s a good idea to bring a scarf. One, it gets freezing on the plane and sometimes the temperature can dramatically switch from hot to cold. A scarf help keeps your neck warm, which is an important part that helps control body temperature. It’s best to wear layers for this reason as well. Another reason I like to wear a scarf is to cover your mouth when you feel like there are other people around you who might have a cold. It’s a more subtle way to show you’re not trying to get sick before you go lie on a beach for ten days. It’s also helpful to have a scarf when you fall asleep so that when gravity naturally keeps your mouth wide open, you can keep it covered. There you have it… my five go-to’s on how I avoid catching a cold on the airplane. Is there anything you do to prevent getting sick on the plane? I’d love to hear some other tips- let me know in the comments!