How to Stay Healthy While Traveling - Even during flu season!

This post is brought to you by Boiron.

To say I have traveled a lot is an understatement. Before I started traveling several times a year for work, I was a military kid.

That means I moved a lot. 

Which meant a lot of flying for moves. And flying to visit family because we didn't live near them.

And fast forward a couple decades, I fly multiple times a year for work (and sometimes vacation) and now that I'm a mom I am bringing my kids with me.

So much flying. All the flying.

All that to say: I have done all the things and had all the things go wrong and figured out some pretty effective life hacks so that now traveling is something I have down!

Since starting this routine, I have successfully (knock on wood!) avoided getting sick while traveling but I know what to pack to help if I do.

This travel routine I am about to teach you will not only help you stay healthy while flying or traveling by train but will help you be prepared for things that can inevitably go wrong, too.

How to Stay Healthy When Traveling by Airplane

Bring your own stuff

Things provided or for sale on airplanes are germ sponges! 

Blanket? No thank you, I wore a scarf.

Headphones? Nope, came prepared.

Reading material? Brought my own.

Bringing your own things instead of using items covered in other people's germs will help limit what pathogens you expose yourself to in the first place.

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Not sure what to pack?

Download my free carry-on bag checklist.

I'll also send you a link to get $2 off Oscillococcinum so you're never stuck without it while traveling!

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Wipe down your seat

In between batches of passengers, the airline crew cleans up but things aren't getting sanitized. That means if the person who sat in your seat on the last flight was ill, their germs are going to be all over the place.

I am far from a germophobe but one of the few times I think sanitizing wipes are helpful is on an airplane.

I pack disinfecting wipes in a plastic baggie (they're not a problem for TSA) and as soon as I sit down in a seat I wipe down the back of the seat in front of me, the open tray, the armrests and the wall and window (if I am in a window seat).

This kills any germs left behind from the previous passenger and even leaves the seat a little cleaner for the person who comes after me.

Get enough sleep

I know. If you're a mom, it's hard to get enough sleep. I get it.

But the truth is that sleep helps your body reset and recharge so its prepared to deal better with stress and any germs you might encounter on your journey.

Ideally, you won't be chronically underslept, but at the very least try and get a full night's rest the night before your trip.

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water supports all your body's essential functions.

Drinking contaminated water, though, can introduce you to new toxins and a study reported on by HuffPo calls into question the safety of airplane water generally.

So what do I do when I need to stay hydrated when traveling and plane water is iffy?

I bring a filtering water bottle like my Clearly Filtered bottle to filter lead, pharmaceuticals, pathogens and more. 

Just make sure it's empty when you walk through TSA and then fill it up on the other side of security.

Be prepared if you are prone to motion sickness

I've been prone to motion sickness for as long as I can remember.

While traveling, I wear an essential oil locket with organic peppermint oil drops inside. During times I am more prone to feeling queasy, I hold it up to my nose to sniff and it really works to keep motion tummy at bay.

If it's been a turbulent flight and I'm still feeling a little nauseous, I bring Boiron's Nux Vomica with me for back up. 

The nux vomica box says "hangover relief" in big letters but traditional homeopathic practice has been using this remedy to help with sour stomach or upset stomach associated with nausea for a long time.

Come prepared for common travel woes!

As the saying goes: I'd rather have something and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

If I start to feel ill while traveling with flu-like symptoms, I want to have Oscillococcinum on hand to take right away. Click over to the Boiron site to get a $2 off coupon! This way you can stock up and have enough to keep at home AND bring on your trip!

Keep in mind that Oscillococcinum is not a preventative - so don't take it unless you start having flu-like symptoms like body aches, headache, fever, and chills. It's something you want to bring in case you need it - because nobody wants to be sick while traveling!

In addition to the Nux Vomica I talked about above, Arnica (pictured) is another great homeopathic remedy for achy legs and feet from a long day of travel.

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Want that packing list I mentioned earlier?

Download my free carry-on bag checklist.
This list will help you remember everything you need to help you stay healthy while traveling by air or railroad.

I'll also send you a link to get a coupon for $2 off Oscillococcinum so you're never stuck without it while traveling!

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About the Author:

Carissa Bonham is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. Her goal is to empower families to make easy projects and healthier choices that are beautiful and delicious! 

The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she is an award-winning blogger and most recently won the ShiftCon Media "Best Green Lifestyle Blogger" award in 2019.

She is also the author of several books including Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017), Proven Techniques for Keeping Healthy Chickens (Skyhorse, 2018) and The Little Green Book of Mothers' Wisdom (Skyhorse, 2020).

Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living Tribe.

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Sponsored post disclosure: This post was sponsored by Boiron. All opinions expressed are 100% mine and reflect my authentic experience with this brand. I only recommend products I personally enjoy and think my readers will as well. For more information, see my full sponsored post and review policy.