More people than ever are expected to travel over the winter holidays this year. Traveling can be an opportunity to unwind, relax and spend time with loved ones. But it can also be challenging and stressful. Crowds, delays, cancellations, unfamiliar environments and disruptions to our routine and sleep schedule are all an expected part of travel as is exposure to all kinds of colds and flu germs.
Crowded and enclosed spaces such as rest stops, buses, planes and airports are common places to catch colds, viruses and more. Pack alcohol wipes to disinfect your seat, table and other surfaces, use hand sanitizer or frequently wash your hands and wear an N95 mask or equivalent around people who may be coughing or sneezing. Keep medicine and other necessities in a carry-on or easily accessible bag, so you can get to them as needed. Eat healthy, stay hydrated and minimize alcohol consumption at least a few days prior to traveling to keep your immune system working at its best. Pack simple healthy snacks, like nuts or fruit. Staying up-to-date on vaccinations, especially for flu and COVID-19, is also a great way to prevent illness when traveling.
Beyond vaccinations and health hygiene, to stay healthy and safe:
- Prepare a travel health kit with items you may need, especially those items that may be difficult to find at your destination (most experienced travelers keep one in their suitcase). Include your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Depending on your destination you may also want to pack a mask, insect repellent, allergy meds, sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, and your health insurance card.
- If you are traveling out of the country, enroll with the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program Link (STEP) (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html). Check for and monitor any travel advisories for your destination. Enrolling also ensures that the US Department of State knows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties while traveling. In the event of an emergency at home, STEP can also help friends and family contact you.
- Let your credit card company know if you are traveling so your card is not denied or flagged as fraudulent.
- Get travel insurance if indicated. There are different types of travel insurance such as trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance. Learn more about travel insurance from the CDC: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance.
