Although they take us to far off and mysterious destinations, aeroplanes still aren’t the most hygienic places to spend your time. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent getting sick whilst flying. When you’re preparing for your next trip, pack these essentials in your hand luggage to ensure you stay healthy at 35,000 feet.
1. Bring a water bottle
Staying hydrated is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to keep healthy on a flight. The air in planes is drier than we’re used to on the ground, so our body tries to fight this by giving us a runny nose. If you want to avoid arriving at your destination accompanied by a cold, you’ve got to to keep yourself hydrated. You can either buy a bottled water at the airport, or bring an empty water bottle from home and fill it up after security.
2. Don’t forget your vitamins
Whether you bring some multivitamin tablets or pack some fruit, you’re helping your body counteract all the germs floating around you. There are pros to both options, with the tablets taking up less space in your luggage, whilst bringing an orange or banana ensures you don’t get hungry on the flight. And who likes aeroplane food, anyway?
3. Pack hand sanitiser
Did you know that an unsheltered sneeze can spread up to 30 feet? Imagine that happening on an aeroplane. Even if your aeroplane looks clean, you still can’t really be sure exactly what you’re touching. In this instance, hand sanitiser is your best friend. Use it before eating, after going to the bathroom, even after blowing your own nose. Hand sanitisers are often small and well under airport liquid regulations, but if you somehow forget to pack one, don’t worry – they’re almost always available to buy after you get through security.
4. Scarfs are a great multi-purpose tool
If you’re on a longhaul flight, there’s a chance the plane will provide pillows or blankets (especially if you’re flying overnight). However, accepting these perks might not always be the best thing for your health. If the pillows come in plastic packaging, it means they’ve been cleaned, but if not, who knows what’s lurking on them? To combat this, bring a scarf or large cardigan: they make a great pillow, warm blanket, and you can even wear them on your trip.
5. Don’t just pack enough medication for your flight
If you take daily medication, don’t just pack enough for your flight and put the rest in your checked luggage. Even though it’s unlikely, there’s still a chance your bag could get lost or delayed. Packing all your necessary medication in your hand luggage means that if the worst does happen, you don’t have the added stress of being without your medicine.
If you follow this advice, you’re sure to have a great flight and an even greater holiday!
Is there something you never fly without? Tell us in the comments!