How To Stay Healthy During the Holidays

Planes, Trains, And Immunity: If you’re one of the 122 million Americans predicted to travel this year for the holidays, you’re probably thinking about how to stay healthy (and sane) while in close quarters with your family and fellow travelers. We’ve gathered some tips for keeping sniffles, sneezes, and stomach bugs from sabotaging your plans. 

The Benefits: Getting sick is even worse around the holidays, when you’re supposed to be celebrating and likely have a mile-long to-do list. It’s also easier to slip into less-than-healthy habits during this time of year: more cookies, more booze, more stress, less exercise. 

How to Do It: Staying healthy starts with prevention. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Pack preventive supplies: mask, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, sunscreen, bug spray. Exercise can help your immune system stay strong, so walk whenever you can, including at the airport waiting for a flight, around the neighborhood after meals, or on a hotel treadmill. Manage stress with short sessions of meditation and gratitude (we like this app). Stay hydrated (with water, not wine). Wipe off germy surfaces, like armrests and tray tables on planes and trains. Eat as healthy as you can — while still allowing for some splurges.