Five ways to avoid getting sick when travelling this Christmas

By Nkem Ndem

Getting sick is normal, however, it can be a huge disappointment when you are travelling to your hometown for Christmas. Not only does it take the fun out of the trip, it disrupts your entire schedule and most times, costs extra cash (when you are plagued with severe symptoms and forced to seek medical care outside of your insurance network).

Luckily, while travelling itself, especially by road, exposes you to a whole new range of parasites and environments that could spur illness, there are ways to minimize the chances of getting sick. Jumia travel, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site has compiled a list of tried and true ways to keep your body and immune system strong and ensure you do not get sick.

Pack a hand sanitizer and wash your hands when you can

The norm is to wash your hands before eating anything and after using the bathroom, and it is important not to neglect this routine while travelling. Matter of fact, it is even more important to wash up much more frequently than you would normally. Your skin is your first line of defence and your hands specifically are always touching things and then touching your own face, mouth, or eyes, so, keeping them clean protects you from a lot of risks. In situations where you have no access to water for washing up, hand sanitizers come in very handy.

Take immune boosting herbs and vitamins:

While travelling, especially if you are visiting a new environment, it is important to pack extra supplements specifically to help keep your immunity strong. You can never be too sure of what you could be exposed to- bacteria and germs, and it is better to face the uncertainty with an ultra-strong immune system. Try Vitamin C supplements. Saline solution and nasal mists are also effective in fighting germs, as they keep your nasal passages moist, which enhance your body’s own germ-flushing activity.

Stay hydrated

The importance of water cannot be overstated. Drinking water is essential while travelling as it flushes your body of toxins, helps your digestion -which is associated with your immune system- and keeps you hydrated. Most times, while travelling or visiting certain locations with dry weather conditions, it is easy to get dehydrated, and dehydration not only makes you more vulnerable to invading parasites and germs, it also makes it harder for you to recover once infected. Also, drinking water ensures the mucus membranes in the nose and throat remains moist and better equipped to fight germs. Note that drinks like alcohol and coffee do not count as good choices for hydration.

Watch what you eat

Food contamination is a major problem travellers have while visiting new locations. If you are not very careful with the kind of food you eat or where you eat on your travels, you could potentially be exposing yourself to diarrhea, gastrointestinal poisoning, cholera, and other horrible diseases. Try to abstain from random street or local cuisines; look out for signs of good hygiene practice at any street food stall or food court you eat at; and ensure any food you eat is fresh, well-cooked, and served very hot . If possible, try to make your own food, that ways, the risk is less.

Keep yourself engaged with activities

Most people just forget about staying fit or exercising once they are on vacation or taking a trip. Exercise, however, is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy and fight off unwanted infections and diseases, as it improves overall health and well-being, strengthens the immune system, and makes it easier to bounce back from an infection or illness. If you are not active or fit before travelling, start on the trip! Visit the gym room in the hotel, go hiking into a forest or up a mountain, swim in the streams, go for a jog or do anything that makes you heart beat and you sweat a little.

Nkem Ndem , PR Associate at Jumia Travel.