How to stay healthy while travelling for business

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If you are someone who travels extensively, especially for business, then you need to stay mentally and physically healthy during your travels in order to stay on top of your game.

However, jet-setting around the globe is no easy feat as it places your body and mind under pressure due to the constant need to adapt to different environments. There is also an increased exposure to illnesses.

Still, there are those who travel extensively and stay healthy, regardless of where they travel and how many people they come in contact with. You can, too, by following a few simple health tips.

Prior to your trip

Pack your own carry-on care pack: Think like someone with a baby – you never leave home without sanitiser and wet wipes in your baby bag. So hand sanitiser with at least 50% alcohol and wet wipes should be packed in your carry-on luggage and used regularly. They go a long way to keeping germs at bay. Other items for your care pack: nasal spray (to help with dry nasal passages and congestion); plasters/bandages (for sores, strains and sprains along the way); a travel pillow (especially on long-haul journeys); and a shawl – something light that can offer a bit of warmth when needed.

Build your immune system: While the jury sways on whether supplements really have the power to prevent colds and flu, if you’ve had good results from taking them in the past, then take them before a trip. A good option is probiotics, which help boost intestinal health. Start them a few weeks before your trip, and remember to take them during your trip as well.

Remember your medication: Just because you’re going on a trip, doesn’t mean you can take a holiday from the usual course of medication you’re on. Chronic meds or acute, if you’ve needed them before the trip then it’s a good idea to take them with. Pack them in your carry-on with the rest of your valuables and include a copy of your prescription for stronger medication.

If you’re a contact lense wearer, opt in favour of glasses, especially during travel. Contact lenses have a tendency to dry out eyes, making them vulnerable to infections and irritation.

Also, when you wear glasses you tend to interfere less with your eyes.

Sanitise: It may sound like repetition, but you’d do well to heed the advice to sanitise every part of your hands, from the back to your fingertips. It’s especially important to do this after touching germ centrals like ticket kiosks and check-in counters, an ATM, any part of a bathroom, door handles, food trays, escalator hand rests and elevator buttons – just about anything that’s touched by a lot of people. And if you can’t sanitise or wash your hands immediately, keep in mind not to touch your face, nose, eyes and mouth until you do.

A healthy diet: Eat healthy and stay away from food that you have allergies or sensitivities to. This goes for before and during your travels.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and during your travels. Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to curb jet lag. It also helps flush toxins out of your system.

In transit

Clean your seating area: It may sound a bit obsessive-compulsive, but your seating area is rarely as clean as it appears. Rather wipe down armrests, your tray table and latch, screens, window shutters, seatbelt buckles, headphones and backrest. Avoid keeping your personal possessions in the seat pocket – you don’t know what’s been in there.

Also opt for your own pillow and blanket instead of those offered.

Never leave your hand luggage on floors, especially bathroom floors – anything your luggage picks up will inevitably end up on your hands.

All things in moderation: Remember not to overindulge in alcohol, especially when flying. One glass in the air equates to three on the ground. And a hangover is probably the sickest feeling in the world.

Again – sanitise, sanitise, sanitise, even after reading the onboard magazine.

Use the airvent: Directing the air downward in front of you can keep some airborne germs away from you. Also use the nasal spray to assist a dried-out nose.