3 Ways to Stay Healthy When Flying

I can’t say that I necessarily enjoy travelling.  In fact, it’s probably one of my least-favorite things to do.  However, it seems like we go out-of-town every few months.  We don’t go to exotic places; it’s usually to NYC or NJ.  I used to get sick whenever we came home, until I started taking these 3 simple steps when flying. I haven’t been sick in a very long time.  My family makes fun of me, but I don’t care!  Here are 3 ways you can stay healthy when flying.

Shut Off the Overhead Air Vent 

As soon as I get to my seat, I reach up and shut off all of the overhead air vents.  I don’t care if someone is already sitting in the row.  They’re usually ignoring me anyway – you know, who wants to talk on a plane?  I don’t even want to think about the germs that flow around in the recycled air that flows through those vents.  Yuck.  Yuck. Yuck.  I always wear layers when I fly, so if I get a little warm, I just take off at shirt.  I don’t think the air really does much to keep you cool, so why inhale germs that are blowing right onto your face?

Wipe Down the Area with a Wet-Wipe

This is a must.  Just like I don’t want to think about the germs that are recirculating through the air, I certainly don’t want to think about the person who sat in the seat, wore the seat belt, and touched the arm rests before me.  That’s another yuck, yuck, yuck.  I wipe down the seat, headrest, arm rest, seatbelt buckle, and the air vent.  I also make sure I carry a little hand sanitizer and I sanitize my hands obsessively.

Wear A Surgical Mask

This is the biggest thing that embarrasses my family, but I really don’t care.  Wear a surgical mask! I really believe that this is the one major thing that has kept me healthy.  There is no point in shutting the vents or wiping down the area if you don’t take this final precaution. If someone coughs or sneezes in your direction, there is no place for those germs to go!  I don’t care if people think I’m rude.  I don’t care if people think I’m crazy.  Those people aren’t going to be there to drive me to the doctor or blow my nose for me.  I don’t owe them an explanation.  However, I do casually mention to the people sitting next to me that, “I’m not sick.  I’m just a germaphobe,” and no one has every freaked out or had a problem with it.  Except my embarrassed family.

Next time you fly, follow my 3 tips to staying healthy and see if it works for you, too!