I will never forget my first holiday away from home. Recently engaged, I'd taken the step of spending the Christmas with my soon-to-be husband's family in Gulf Breeze, Florida, instead of with my family in Birmingham. It was a big deal. And although they were wonderful, my health wasn't -- I got sick the second day there and spent the holiday on the couch sniffling instead of caroling.
Nothing is worse than getting sick while being away from home. The good news is that if you are getting ready to take a trip for the holidays, there are things that you can do to help protect yourself and your family:
Kimberly Misra at BellaOnline includes these tips on staying healthy while on the road with family:
- Wash your hands frequently. The single most important thing you can do to stay healthy while traveling is to wash your hands frequently and well. Teach kids to wet their hands, then lather with soap for at least 15 seconds (to keep track of time they could sing the happy birthday song twice), then rinse hands well and dry them thoroughly. When soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good substitute.
- Make sleep a top priority. Although it can be difficult while you’re traveling, get the kids to bed on time (earlier if possible). When you’re tired, your immune system is weakened and you may not fight off germs as effectively as a well-rested person.
- Take a multivitamin. The debate still rages over whether or not it can help you avoid colds, but taking a good multivitamin can help you cover your nutritional bases during stressful times. Make sure the vitamin is recommended for your child’s age or weight and consult your pediatrician if you’re unsure
When flying, also keep these things in mind:
- Avoid the overnight "red-eye" flight, which will deprive you of sleep.
- Use a tissue or hankerchief to open overhead bins or the restroom door.
- Avoid dehydrating beverages like coffee and alcohol.
These are good tips any time of the year, but are especially good to keep in mind during this cold and flu season. Here's to happy and healthy holiday travels!
Related Links:
KidsHealth: Staying Healthy While You Travel
