Spring Break may serve as the ideal time for CSU employees to get away from the constant coughing and sneezing that comes with the start of a new semester. Unfortunately, if people aren’t careful they could get sick from traveling over break instead of other individuals on campus.
Airplanes are one of the easiest locations for a person to get sick due to their confined space that people from all over the world share every day. The air in the planes holds less moisture and oxygen, so passengers’ immune systems won’t work at optimal levels because mucus membranes get dried out in the throat and nose and can’t protect the body from the 99% of diseases that they typically protect every day.
Luckily, there are some things people can do before and during a plane ride to help prevent getting sick:
Get plenty of sleep before the flight
Getting seven to eight solid hours of rest the night before a flight can help ensure your immune system is performing at its maximal levels.
Eat healthy snacks
Eating fruits, vegetables and lean protein before and during a flight allows your body to have all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to keep you healthy.
Bring sanitizing wipes
Use sanitizing wipes on every surface you come into contact with on your flight. This includes the arm rests, tray tables, seatbelt, tv screen and seat back pocket. Although it may be best to avoid the seat back pocket altogether because people treat them as trash cans and put anything and everything in them.
Bring hand sanitizer
If you can’t wash your hands before eating or touching your face in an airport or on an airplane, the second best thing is to use hand sanitizer since you don’t know all the surfaces your hands may have come in contact with. Just make sure the bottles are 3.4 oz or less.
Bring your own water bottle
Bring an empty water bottle with you through security then fill it up before getting on the plane. This way, you can stay hydrated without spending a ridiculous amount of money buying a plastic water bottle. Drinking enough water will also help keep your mucus membranes from drying out.
Try to sit in a window seat
Window seats hold a significantly smaller amount of germs than aisle seats since aisle seats are the ones that everyone walks by multiple times before, during and after flying.
Skip the alcohol and coffee
Alcohol and coffee makes you more dehydrated in a shorter period of time making it more difficult for your immune system to do its job. Alcohol in a less oxygenated space also makes your liver work harder and takes away the energy your immune system needs.
Flex your calves
Sitting for a prolonged period of time in a plane can raise the risk of deep vein thrombosis because of the lack of blood flow that can develop. To keep your blood flowing, you can flex your calves by performing movements, like tapping your feet, to work your shins, thighs and hip joints.
The bottom line
College campuses aren’t the only or easiest ways a person can get sick during the year. The environments of airplanes contain the perfect ingredients to get people sick if they aren’t careful. But if you keep yourself hydrated and healthy and you sanitize airplane surfaces, it will be easier for you to enjoy your destination and return to campus without a cough.