7 Preboarding Secrets to Help You Stay Healthy When You Fly
1. Use the airport restroom. Even airport bathrooms are cleaner than the ones on planes, so go before you get on board. That way you reduce toilet trips and better avoid germs during the flight.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly. Use lots of soap and hot water. Then hold a paper towel as protection when you turn off the water, so you don't have to touch the tap.
6 Doctor-Tested Ways to Keep a Cold Away
3. Buy a big bottle of water. Now that you've gotten through security, go get a big bottle, start guzzling, and bring it with you on the plane.
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4. Moisturize your nose. Use a saline nasal spray to irrigate and moisturize the mucous membranes inside your nose. Some frequent fliers also swear by applying a bit of Neosporin or Vaseline to the insides of the nostrils. This is an old tip for preventing nosebleeds, but it can work to protect against dry cabin air as well.
5. Eat yogurt. According to some nutrition research, the beneficial bacteria in yogurt have a protective effect on your immune system. One study found that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt reduced susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. Researchers think the beneficial bacteria may kick the immune system into high gear to fight off viruses.
Re:7 Preboarding Secrets to Help You Stay Healthy When You Fly
6. Remove contact lenses before you fly. If you don't like to wear your lenses while you fly, plan to remove them ahead of time in the airport bathroom. Touching your eyes is one of the primary means of transmission for cold and flu viruses, which can make their way through the tear ducts to the nasopharynx -- the "sweet spot" for cold viruses, where nasal passages meet the mouth at the back of the throat. Avoid touching your eyes with germy hands by washing hands first, then removing lenses before you fly.
7. Take immune-boosting supplements. There's still little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of supplements such as vitamin C, Airborne, echinacea, and zinc lozenges. In fact, Airborne was recently required to settle a lawsuit for falsely making such claims. But it's also true that with the exception of Zicam, a zinc supplement that's been accused of damaging users' sense of smell, there's little harm that can come from arming your immune system with extra nutrients. Vitamin C is the least supported by science at this point; echinacea and the other herbal ingredients in Airborne have the most likelihood of being proven effective.
Thanks for sharing such vital information Doc! When flying it is crucial to keep yourselves protected from various infection so as not to ruin your vacation time! These tips are indeed practical and useful!
"I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally." - W. C. Fields :)
Flying for the first time can be a daunting, and confusing experience. Airports are huge places, and although things move quite quickly and smoothly if you do not know what you are doing, it is not always that obvious the first time around. This article includes a few air travel tips that will hopefully make your first airport experience a pleasant one.
Arrive Early For Check In
One of the most important things to remember is to arrive at the airport early – especially with all the new security procedures in place. Most airports will not issue a boarding pass unless you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to a domestic flight – even earlier if you are flying internationally. Many people use the rule of thumb of arriving to check in around 2 hours prior to the flights departure time. This means that if anything goes wrong, you will most likely still have just enough time to check in, and if everything goes smoothly, then you will have time to grab a coffee and relax in the departure lounge.
While every person’s definition of packing light is subjective, this is another one of the air travel tips that will make your flying experience easier. Rather than try to manage the largest carry-on bag that you can get away with, pack a small bag with a book, some magazines, or whatever will get you through your flight, and pack a second bag that you can check. If your bag is small enough, you can easily fit it under the seat in front of you, which makes getting on and off the plane easier.
Eat Before You Go To The Airport
This is more a money saving tip than anything else – there are lots of restaurants, cafes, and other establishments at most airports, but they can be quite expensive, and usually only serve fast food. If you eat before you fly, you can enjoy more nutritious food elsewhere, for a lower price. Personally, I still like to have a drink at the airport, as I feel it is important to stay hydrated while flying. Browse around the airport before you choose, as not all establishments are overpriced.
Try not to be nervous about flying. If you have had a good meal, arrived early, checked any luggage, and are not carrying a massive carry-on bag, then you should be able to enjoy the rest of the experience. Keep your eyes on the boards for any gate changes, look around the airport stores, or relax at the departure gate and read a book. The airport and airline staff are very good at their jobs and will keep everything flowing smoothly – all you have to do is be at the gate on time, and look forward to whatever awaits you at your destination.
