Staying healthy starts before your flight, too

Flying is a convenient and efficient way to reach your destination quickly any time of the year, but the confined space and recycled air inside the plane can heighten your risk of getting sick during or just after your flight. Take it from me; catching a cold or the flu during a trip can dampen your plans and keep you from spending time enjoying your trip.

You can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling ill while flying with a few proactive measures. To help you out, I’ve come up with some travel tips that will help you avoid getting sick on a plane, allowing you to enjoy your journey without worrying about any airborne illnesses.

Pre-flight considerations

Preventing illness when you travel starts before you even board the plane. You are much more likely to get sick if you aren’t mentally and physically prepared for your journey.

Boost your immune system

Start preparing for your trip well in advance by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a great way to ensure your body gets the vitamins it needs to thrive. Supplements such as vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc are also great for boosting your immune system.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, and dehydration can quickly weaken your immune system. Ensure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. It is also a good idea to avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, as they can contribute to dehydration.

Rest up

Lack of sleep can compromise your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Make sure you are prioritizing sleep for a few days before your flight. This is especially important if you have a long or late-night flight where sleeping may not be possible.

On the flight

Once you are on the plane, it is important to do everything you can to keep your space clean and prevent germs from entering your body. Although this is often easier said than done, you can take a few preventive measures to keep yourself in good health.

Choose the right seat

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that germs from sneezing, coughing, or breathing are unlikely to be directly transmitted beyond 1 meter (3.28 feet) from the infected passenger. Because of this, it’s likely (but not guaranteed) that the window seat is the “healthiest” seat. Sitting in a window seat reduces your likelihood of direct contact with fellow passengers walking down the aisle. Window seats also provide a barrier on one side, minimizing exposure to germs.

Sanitize your space

Bring antibacterial wipes in your carry-on and clean your seat, armrests, and tray table before sitting down. These surfaces often harbor germs from previous flights, so a quick wipe-down can help reduce your exposure risk.

Use air vents strategically

According to NBC News, airplane air is typically circulated through hospital-grade filters designed to remove 99.97% of all bacteria. Use this to your advantage and direct the air vent above your seat to create a personal airflow barrier.

Avoid touching your face

Refrain from touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. These are entry points for germs, and keeping your hands away from your face can reduce the risk of infection.

Stay active

If your flight is over two hours long, make it a point to take short walks and stretch periodically to improve circulation. Doing this can help prevent stiffness and boost your overall well-being.

Keep your belongings in the overhead bins

Place as many of your belongings as possible in the overhead bins and refrain from opening them during the flight. Keeping your purse, backpack, or other possessions on the floor exposes them to your shoes, a hotspot for germs. If you can, keep everything you need in the seatback pocket or in the seat with you.

Post-flight practices

Your work isn’t done once you exit the plane. It is essential to continue caring for yourself in the days following your flight.

Continue hydration

After the flight, continue to stay hydrated to counteract the dehydrating effects of air travel. Water will help to flush out toxins and support your body’s natural defenses against illness.

Rest and recover

If you can, give yourself some time to rest and recover after the flight. Jet lag and fatigue can weaken your immune system, so listen to your body and prioritize self-care.

Maintain good hygiene

A little bit of good hygiene goes a long way. Hop in the shower as soon as you can after leaving the airport, wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and use hand sanitizer when necessary.

What to do if you do get sick

If you carefully follow these tips, it will certainly increase your chances of staying healthy while traveling. However, as I know from experience, no matter how careful you are, you can still catch something on your flight or during your travels. If you get seriously sick after traveling, especially if you went outside the country, the CDC recommends calling your healthcare provider when you get home and have the following information available:

• Vaccination history
• The places where you went
• The reason for the trip (pleasure, business, or another reason)
• What you did while traveling (swimming, hiking, etc.)
• The dates of your trip
• Where you stayed
• What you ate and drank
• If you came in contact with any animals
• Did you have any injuries during the trip
• Any bug bites or scratches you got while traveling
• If you had to seek health care or medications during the trip

The ecological state of our planet is getting worse every year, motivating many people to pay attention to their negative impact on the environment. That also includes travelers, who often fly between their destinations and utilize many one-use products during the journey.

Tourists who want to become more eco-conscious choose the green travel approach. This concept incorporates many tips and tricks for producing less waste and minimizing emissions while enjoying their time abroad. In this article, we will explain five main ways you can lower your carbon footprint and travel green.

Reduce Plastic Use

The first instinct of a tourist is to buy a ton of single-use products in plastic bottles or get a hold of hotel toiletries and then toss the empty packaging away. This is very convenient, indeed, as you don’t have to bring full-sized bottles of shampoo and shower gel in a suitcase. Unfortunately, this is not sustainable at all. According to Sustainable Travel International, travelers end up creating twice as much waste as residents! Most of this waste can’t be recycled, so it ends in a landfill, polluting the planet.

To reduce plastic use and waste, purchase a set of travel bottles and fill them with your own products, such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and other self-care products. Bar soap and shampoos are an even better option. Pack a tote bag for groceries and souvenirs, and avoid getting plastic bags at the destination.

Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it with water in the hotels and coffee shops. Invest in an international eSIM instead of buying a physical SIM card for every destination to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste from SIM card packaging. A good eSIM will let you switch carriers when needed, even if you have multiple locations planned for your trip.

With sustainable communication, you can reduce your carbon footprint even further. However, before buying it blindly, make sure to check reviews

Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation

Let’s make one thing clear – there are no totally green transportation options available nowadays. Still, aviation is the most polluting industry when it comes to traveling. Out of all emissions on the planet, aviation creates 2% of them, which is a bigger amount than the carbon footprint of the UK! Naturally, you’d want to minimize traveling by plane when possible. Choose trains or electric vehicles since these two are more sustainable than planes. When you do have to fly, book only direct flights, which wastes less fossil fuel.

When traveling inside the destination, choose public transport or shared taxi rides. Petrol and diesel one-person vehicles are the worst choices for green travel, so stick to buses, trains, and trams — the latter runs on electricity, which is the most eco-friendly.

Book Sustainable Accommodations

Thanks to ecological awareness, there are a lot of sustainable hotels and hostels that minimize their carbon footprint and waste. Accommodations like that reduce their energy and water use, do not utilize single-use plastic, purchase only local foods, and do not use harsh chemicals when cleaning. Sustainable hotels also motivate their patrons to travel by eco-friendly transportation, recycle, and save as much energy as possible.

Moreover, some of these accommodations collaborate with local communities to promote sustainable tourism and engage in important conversations regarding cultural preservation. The result is real experiences for guests who truly want to connect with authentic cultures and learn more about their heritage.

One of the programs that provide accommodations with eco-friendly certifications is Green Globe. You can also check booking services and websites for full sustainability information about certain hotels.

Shop Local

Prioritizing locally produced items not only supports the community you’re visiting but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and packaging, resulting in energy use and waste reduction across the whole supply chain. The same is true for local foods and goods! When you shop only for products made at the destination you’re in, you stop encouraging outsourcing.

In turn, groceries do not have to travel as long and waste fuel, which means smaller carbon footprint. The same applies to souvenirs and trinkets, too. It is always best to shop locally from farmers’ markets and stalls. Not only will you get fresher food and better-quality products, but you will also support the country economically, motivating overall growth and local conservation.

Stay Eco-Conscious

In the end, it is essential to remember that green travel is not possible to the full extent. Unfortunately, we still do not have fully eco-friendly flight solutions, and most carbon offset plans do not work efficiently. It is also impossible to stop producing waste when you travel. Yet, you can still minimize your impact as an individual.

For example, reduce your plastic use by investing in an international eSIM, pack your own self-care products, use a refillable water bottle, and avoid plastic packaging. Swapping flights to bus and train travel when possible will greatly save fossil fuel and offset carbon emissions. Booking sustainable accommodations can encourage you to save energy and water. Moreover, shopping for local products and foods not only provides you with fresh produce and high-quality souvenirs but also encourages economic growth.

For most Americans, the winter holiday season is a magical time of year where friends and family come together to celebrate, eat delicious food and enjoy each other’s company. And while being home for the holidays is certainly something to commemorate, getting there can be a stress-filled nightmare. From overbooked flights to hours spent sitting in traffic, there’s no shortage of unwelcome surprises waiting around the corner.

Whether you’re flying across the country or taking your family on a short road trip, there are plenty of useful holiday travel tips that can save you time, money and frustration. Keep in mind, the holiday travel season is the busiest time of year – a projected 112.5 million Americans hit the road or runway in 2018 alone, according to estimates by the American Automobile Association. With so many people traveling at the same time, it’s bound to get messy at some point during your trip. So before you set out on your next holiday commute, be sure to consider these five simple holiday travel tips for reducing stress and preserving your sanity:

1. Book your flight early to save time and money

Travel planning is never easy, but the sooner you start finalizing your transportation arrangements the better. According to airline data compiled by AAA, the best window for booking holiday flights starts on Sept. 25 and runs through Oct. 25. During this month-long time frame, you can usually find exceptional deals and availability that are well suited to your budget and individual travel plans, with the average ticket price falling around $491 on average.

Generally speaking, the longer you wait to book your flight, the fewer discount options will be available. While last-minute travelers may be able to secure decent seating in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas, landing the best deals often requires a bit of proactivity.

2. Avoid peak travel days

Never underestimate how much time you can waste hunting for an airport parking spot, standing in security lines and waiting around for checked bags. While it’s true that long lines aren’t entirely avoidable during the holiday rush, there are often lulls in foot traffic you may be able to take advantage of. This year, the Transportation Security Administration projects that more than 26.8 million passengers will travel through security screening checkpoints between Nov. 22 and Dec. 2, with the Wednesday before Thanksgiving seeing 2.7 million passengers in a single day.

One easy way to avoid a crowded airport is to book a flight that takes off on the holiday itself. Although traveling on Christmas or Thanksgiving might not be ideal, it can keep you from having to stand in long lines before and after your flight. If you’re planning to travel by car, it may be beneficial to head out before (or after) the Christmas season’s peak travel days, which typically stretch from Dec. 20 to Dec. 24.

3. Travel as light as possible

One of the best ways to cut down on holiday travel expenses and save time at the airport is to pack light. Ideally, you’ll want to keep checked bags to a minimum and fit as much into your family’s carry-on bags as possible. This can not only help reduce your overall airfare, it can also prevent you from standing around the luggage carousel for hours after you’ve landed.

Although there is less than a 1% chance your luggage will be misplaced by a major airline, according to an Air Travel Consumer Report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, it’s important to consider how a lost bag may impact your holiday. If you’re bringing gifts along, it’s always a good idea to store them in your carry-on bags, along with any personal items you can’t live without.

4. Anticipate travel delays

Even if your travel planning goes off without a hitch, your holiday commute can still be slowed or halted by flight delays and inclement weather. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, more than 19% of U.S. flights were delayed by at least 15 minutes in 2018, while outright cancellations totaled 99,093 in that same year. Although there isn’t much you can do to avoid weather patterns and airline cancellations, there are a few travel tips that can keep you one step ahead.

While most airlines allow you to check in online and print your boarding passes at self-service kiosks, speaking with a representative directly can give you a stronger idea about possible delays. Arriving at the airport early may allow you to switch flights or secure last-minute seating at a later time, which can prevent you from being stranded with no alternatives.

5. Don’t forget to plan your return trip

When planning for holiday travel it’s easy to forget the return trip, but an uncomfortable flight or car ride home can be incredibly stressful. The first few days after Christmas are often just as busy for airports and highways as the week leading up, so it may be useful to extend your stay by an extra day or two. However, it’s important to keep in mind that New Year’s brings along a whole new wave of holiday commuters to contend with – if you’re planning on driving back after the holidays, be sure to stay alert and cautious behind the wheel.

Planning a trip with your pup? Give these dog car safety tips your attention before you travel

Is there anything more fun than a road trip with your pet? Not really, unless your dog suffers from travel sickness or is car shy. That aside, though, taking a happy pet on a comfortable car ride to somewhere exciting has got to be one of our favorite activities as dog owners.

Before you go, it’s important to be hot on dog car safety so you can ensure you have everything you need and know how to support your pup in transit. Whether you’re going for a day trip or a dog-friendly vacation, read our top dog car safety tips to ensure your pooch gets a smooth ride.

Car safety tips for driving with your dog

1. Take regular breaks

Just like we humans need regular breaks to stretch our legs and go to the bathroom, so too do our canine companions. If you’re going on a long road trip with your dog, make sure you stop every couple of hours that you can both get some air and move about.

2. Offer your dog a calm, secure environment

A dog who is calm and content in the car is a dog who won’t offer the driver any distractions. Plus, there’s minimal chance they’ll wriggle out of their dog harness or try to bypass a back seat barrier to join you from the trunk.

According to companion animal vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan, stocking the car with comforting items can help.

“You can provide your pet with familiar items to help keep them settled, like favorite items of bedding and toys,” she says.

“Puzzle feeders could be considered to keep pets busy in the car, but care may be needed in dogs that are prone to travel sickness,” she adds. “Calming appeasing pheromones can be helpful for some anxious dogs. These can be spritzed onto your dog’s bedding or provided in an impregnated collar.”

3. Combat dog travel sickness head-on

Dr MacMillan recommends speaking to your vet if your dog suffers from travel sickness.

“Medication is available to help with this, which can make journeys much more pleasant for you and your dog,” she continues. “Your dog is likely to be much more settled and relaxed if they are not feeling nauseuous.”

If your dog is young, there could be light at the end of the tunnel.

“The good news is that many young dogs will grow out of travel sickness as they mature.”

4. Don’t let your dog hang out the window

Letting your dog hang out the window is incredibly dangerous as it increases the likelihood they will sustain an injury.

Above all, your dog must be appropriately secured in your vehicle. It’s the number one dog car safety concern, and you should be confident you know how to secure a dog in a car.

“To ensure your dog stays safe in a traveling car, appropriate restraint should be your top priority,” affirms Dr MacMillan. “This means keeping your pet in a dog crate, behind a dog guard or clipped into a dog car harness. This keeps them and you safe if your vehicle is involved in an accident.”

5. Take short trips to begin with

It’s a good idea to get your dog used to traveling in the car by taking short trips before you attempt longer ones.

“Some dogs can find travel stressful so try and work on positive association training,” says Dr MacMillan. “This means sitting in a stationary car for short periods with dog treats and praise, followed by small journeys to nice walks, and then gradually increasing the length of your travel time.”

6. Pack a dog-friendly travel kit

Make sure you have all the essentials on hand to help make your dog’s journey as smooth and comfortable as possible. Water, a pet bowl, food and treats for when you stop, dog toys, and a blanket and pillow can all help your dog feel safe and secure.

7. Never leave your dog alone in the car

Finally, never leave your dog alone in the car, whether restrained or unrestrained.

“When the vehicle is stationary, it is key that you don’t leave your dog unsupervised during warm weather,” says Dr MacMillan. “In even moderate temperatures, the inside of a car can heat up very quickly.

“Dogs have limited ways to lose their body heat, so they can rapidly succumb to heatstroke, even when the window is left open a crack. Brachycephalic breeds, or flat-faced breeds, and large dogs with heavy coats will be the most at risk.”