Like clockwork, I get a cold every time I get back from a fantastic trip. As I lie in bed with a sore nose and a waste basket filled with used tissues, I cannot help but think back to my time soaking on the beach a week before. How can I go from one week prancing along a beach with the sun on my back to being sick as a dog the next week?
You would think that a week or so of relaxation would have you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Would an extra Pina Colada save me and kill all those bad germs next time? Probably not.
We go on a vacation for a change of pace and a break from our mundane jobs. Yet, the consequences of coming home make those "back to work blues" so much harder. Why should I take off more work for being sick when I just had to take off for my vacation? It is a big dilemma that will leave you passing around your germs to the entire office as a result.
The most common illnesses:
Colds
Fevers
Upset Stomach
I want people to ask me about my trip and not run away from my watery eyes and dripping nose! So, what are the biggest culprits to my illness and how can I stop them from ruining my Caribbean tan with a sore throat and sniffles??
1. Planes
People HATE planes. All those germaphobes out there know what I am talking about. Not only do you feel like you are sucking in recycled air while strangers breathe down your neck, but it may put you in a higher risk of getting sick. You can only take so much before you reach up and turn the air nozzle right onto your face and take some deep breaths. As soon as you walk onto the plane, you can smell the stale, icky air... and you are going to have to marinate in it for the next 2-20 hours. Let's hope you don't get a delay while on board.
Not only is the proximity to strangers for hours a trigger for sickness, but low humidity is a common cause for your "welcome back" cold. The low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your throat. Yet you will probably have to risk it going to your location and coming BACK.
What can help you? You can help your nose with a nasal spray (over-the-counter) and your eyes with eye drops (over-the-counter). People also swear by Airbourne (Immune Support Supplement) before a plane. So, take these with you, recline your seat and try to ignore that man loudly laughing at his in-flight movie next to you.
2. Temperature Changes
I get it—winters suck. The best way to break out of the cold and get warmed up is by going somewhere warm. During the really cold months when you are scraping the ice off of your windshield and saying goodbye to the sun at 5 p.m., nothing sounds better than sailing off into the Caribbean and sipping Mai Tais on the beach as your skin bakes. However, the drastic changes in temperature can weaken your immune system.
Unfortunately, there is no cure or alternative to this one. I would never suggest avoiding a trip to a warmer climate in order to beat a cold, so this is up to you. My only suggestion is to pack warm clothes for your return to help you stay nice and toasty, and also help limit the shock of temperature differentiation between the locations.
3. EXHAUSTING Schedules
Okay, I am a big offender of stuffing my itinerary full of things I want to see and do! That is because I am afraid of missing out on anything while I am abroad. It is not every day that I have the chance to walk through the Louvre or see the sun rising over the Blue Mosque, and while balancing a full-time job and modest savings, I will not be back to that country anytime soon. Therefore, my days start early and end late.
What will help? I started my Perfect Itinerary blog posts because I know people want to have a resources to manage their time in different cities and countries. After visiting a place and learning the best times/destinations to see in a day, my goal is to share it with people that are like me. By managing your time and giving yourself built in breaks along the way, it will help to keep you and your immune system healthy.
4. Crowded Tourist Attractions
When you go off to see the world, you will most likely stop at a few tourist attractions or take public transit. Who knew being around so many people can affect your immune system!? Well, most people. This should not come as a surprise to you.
Do not fight the people, but fight the germs. To help you fight it off, make sure you wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer along with you. Personally, I am so bad at using hand sanitizer, and tend to forget while I am on the go. But you should definitely remind yourself the two seconds of applying hand sanitizer after a busy day touching railing and greeting others, in order to remain healthy during and after your travels.
Let’s Sum It All Up
What have we learned from this? Having a cold after a vacation is very common…sorry, if you thought that you were special. We have identified the main culprits that contribute to these illnesses and discussed methods of staying healthy. All in all, you should maintain healthy practices and self-care while abroad in order to maintain your post-vacation glow when you return home.
As always, be safe and healthy… and Bon Voyage!
