How to Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling this winter

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Traveling can be lots of fun, no matter what time of year. But it can also take a toll on you mentally and physically. Your sleep pattern might change, or the amount of physical activity you do. Especially if finding your way around a new place. And your body could be exposed to new viruses that you may not encounter at home. Most people obviously want to avoid getting sick while traveling, but how?

The amount of travel you do and the way you travel could bring you into contact with more than you bargained for. This is all especially true with winter travel. The shift in weather, the sick people everywhere. It’s a recipe for disaster. But you can take a few steps to be prepared. Here are some of my recommendations of ways to avoid getting sick while traveling this winter and throughout the year.

*Please note the tips here are not about avoiding COVID-19, but rather common winter colds and illnesses. Although many of these can help with both, please do not travel if you are sick and seek medical attention instead. Please also check your own country’s travel restrictions and those of anywhere you plan to visit.

Carry cold meds with you

Don’t leave home without them. Just in case. You may not be sick, and they won’t help you avoid getting sick while traveling, but sickness can strike at any time. I usually take decongestants and regular painkillers as a minimum. If you’re traveling to somewhere with a different language, or different medicines, it might not be as easy to find what you need. Same thing if you end up on a staycation somewhere more remote. This way you have it with you already. And if you don’t need it, then even better.

Warm clothing – layers to pack

To avoid getting sick while traveling you want to be warm enough for those winter destinations or at least the less sunny days. Remember scarf, gloves and hat. I use to avoid hats “because it’ll mess up my hair”. Who cares? You’re going to look more messed up when your ears freeze off. But you’ll need them even more if you’re doing some winter sports like on my recent trip snowmobiling in Whistler.

But my best advice for traveling is layers. Layers are the key. Something you can easily take off or put on if you need to. I mean, have you ever gone somewhere cold and bundled up with so many heavy clothes? Then get to a restaurant or a cafe and the heating is on full blast? It’s great when you’re in a cold place, but all of a sudden those cozy clothes are now against you, making you too hot. Same thing with hot countries when you are constantly going into air conditioned buildings. That’s how I got really sick in Vietnam. The constant change in temperatures can weaken your immune system so layers are good to avoid such a big change.

Get plenty of sleep

Not getting enough sleep can leave you susceptible to viruses, as you’re in a much weakened state. It’s hard when you’re traveling if you have flights at weird times or a long road trip ahead of you. But try to go to bed early if you have to get up early to travel, or cut down your late nights a couple times during your trip to make sure you get a full sleep. Generally you’ll do more when activities when you’re on vacation. City breaks will be where you’ll find yourself usually walking or being outside a lot more than average. Or if traveling in the winter you might do more winter sports like skiing which leaves you tired doing so much physical activity. Either way you’ll be ready for a nice sleep by the end of the day. Don’t resist it.

Rest up in a local cafe

If you’re in a cold place during the winter you’ll want to find ways to keep warm. When I was in Prague at Christmas it was so cold. We kept going into cafes to warm up, and the best way to do that? A warm drink. Plus, any excuse to have a delicious local tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Green tea is really good for you. It keeps you warm and is delicious but it’s also full of antioxidants and catechins which are good things. They help keep bacteria and viruses away which is definitely a good thing if you want to avoid getting sick while traveling.

Remember to take a reusable water bottle with you on your travels, like this one from FastTech

Don’t share drinks

It may be tempting to try someone’s drink when you go to a bar, or share food using the same utensils. But even people who don’t appear to be sick can be at the beginning stages of a virus (if 2020 has taught us anything!). I had the flu last winter which was not fun. But what I learned was that you can start infecting people with the flu virus up to a day before you even get symptoms as it’s already in your system. Save yourself a week in bed and get your own drink. This is true at any time of year, but especially in winter where it seems everyone is getting sick, so you probably want them to keep it to themselves.

Eat well – not junk food

Just like green tea, green vegetables and leaves in salads help support your immune system. Filled with good vitamins that will keep viruses and bacteria away or to a minimum, they have other great health benefits too. I’m not saying eat a salad every day on your vacation, but try to keep away from junk food. Remember to eat well. Studies have shown that plant based diets, cutting down the amount of meat you eat, or eating vegan are great for you and for the environment. Consider a couple of meatless meals on your travels, or add some extra vegetables to help you combat sickness while away. Spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale are all really good for you, try to incorporate some of them into your travels.

Protect yourself in advance

Going away in the winter might not mean you’re off to a cold destination. You might be looking to escape the weather at home and find somewhere hot to travel to. I did that last year. Sick of a cold Canadian winter, we decided Thailand was for us. But depending on where you go make sure you are up to date with your immunizations, and check if the place you are visiting has any recommendations for specific vaccinations. To see what advice the CDC gives for travelers, click here to check out their website recommended vaccinations by destination.

Even if where you travel doesn’t need a specific vaccination, it’s best to carry mosquito repellent to ward off those little suckers. Mosquitoes love me, and when I get bitten I get a strong reaction, so I’m always armed with repellent and quicker on the draw than John Wayne. Mosquitoes can carry diseases too so best to keep them away.

Drink lots of water

Remember to hydrate. It can be easy to forget about having water throughout the day especially when you’re off doing so much sightseeing. But carry your refillable water bottle with you, and make sure to keep drinking. This is especially true on a plane where the altitude causes low humidity. The couple of drinks services they do on a long haul flight will not be enough, so help yourself to more water, or bring some with you. Drink consistently through the flight. If you’re dehydrated, you can be more susceptible to bugs and you’ll start your trip off on the wrong foot.

Avoid getting sick while traveling

Hopefully these tips will help with your next trip, and especially if you plan to travel in winter where viruses are more abundant. Believe me, it’s no fun to get sick on your dream vacation. Being prepared can save you a headache in more than one sense. Stay healthy, stay happy, and enjoy your travels this year.

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