We’ve all been there: you save up, find the perfect trip, pack your bags… and get the sniffles. Or maybe, between the long-haul flights and hostel rooms, you’ve gotten sick in the middle of your dream trip. It’s way more common than you might think, but it doesn’t spell the end of your adventure! On the contrary, with the right know-how and attitude, you’ll be back exploring the ruins of Greece, the trails of Machu Picchu, or wherever your travels take you in no time at all.
Why do you always get sick on vacation?
The better question is how does anyone go on vacation without getting sick? Whenever you launch yourself into a new adventure, you’re also opening yourself up to millions of new germs. Think about it: the person you sit beside on the plane, your cab driver from the airport, even the new friends you make on the road all might be sick themselves. While sometimes you’re able to power through it all with the excitement of new experiences, often you aren’t so lucky (this is also why so many people tend to get sick just after they come home from a trip, as unfair as that is – once you stop moving, a bug can catch up with you).
Getting Sick Before Vacation
If you’re getting ready to set out on the adventure of a lifetime and you suddenly start to feel a bit under the weather, fear not! First of all, stressing too much about it could actually make it worse. If you’re losing sleep over thoughts of ruined vacations, for example, your body may not be strong enough to fight off a bug.
The most important thing you can do if you feel yourself getting sick before setting off on a trip is rest. When you sleep, your body is more able to fight off infections – so get as much sleep as you can! Most people spend the week or so before a vacation running around to try and tie up loose ends at work or in their day-to-day lives, but make sure you take some time to look after yourself, especially if you start to feel any symptoms.
Tips and Tricks for Preventing Illness
- Wash your hands (a lot): think of everything you touch in a day, from your work computer to handrails on public transit. If you want to avoid getting sick, wash your hands for at least twenty seconds at a time frequently, and carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for when you’re on the go.
- Get a flu shot: if you’re travelling during flu season, getting a flu shot may be your best option to avoid more serious illnesses pre-vacation. Besides, it’s always a good idea to prepare for flu season!
- Keep your surroundings germ-free: remember all those things you just thought about touching during the day? If they’re properly sanitized, you won’t have to worry! Carry disinfectant wipes and make sure the surfaces you come into contact with are clean. This one may seem extreme, but if you’re especially worried about falling ill before a big trip, it’s one to consider.
- Live healthily! People who live active, healthy lifestyles are generally less likely to get sick – simple as that. Make sure you’re eating right and exercising in the months leading up to your trip, and take vitamins such as Vitamin C if you’re concerned you may be getting sick.
Getting A Cold On Vacation
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, you find yourself sick during your travels anyway. While it’s never what you want to happen, there are still plenty of ways for you to get back to feeling your best and experiencing all the exciting things you had planned for your trip. Remember not to panic or start feeling hopeless – there’s always something you can do to relieve your symptoms!
Quick Remedies for Colds on Vacation
- Warm liquids: not only does sipping on chicken soup or tea with honey soothe your throat, but the warmth can also help with congestion. Plus, there’s nothing more comforting than warm soup when you’re feeling sick!
- Over-the-counter medications: consider bringing cold medicine with you on your travels. While it won’t shorten the duration of your illness, alleviating the symptoms will allow you to get back out and enjoy your trip.
- Hydration: whether you’re sick or not, you should always drink lots of water while you travel. The recommended amount is eight glasses per day, so drink up! Just make sure you know if the tap water is safe to drink in the area you’re visiting.
- Rest: the cardinal rule of recovering from any illness is to rest. If you feel really awful, sometimes the best thing to do is take a day and sequester yourself in your hotel room. You won’t be happy about missing out on the day’s events, but you’ll be able to get back out there more quickly, and overall you’ll probably enjoy the trip more.
Even though it happens to everyone, when you get sick on vacation it can feel like the end of the world. Whether you’re nervous about getting sick before you head out, or you’re trying to manage your symptoms on the road, with a little advance preparation and flexibility you’ll be back on your feet – and back on the road – in no time at all!
What are your tips and tricks for getting sick on vacation?
