5 Ways to Banish Post-Vacation Sickness: Part 1

In addition to death and taxes, I can always count on the Post-Vacation Sickness. Sneezy, snotty, congested, icky tummy - you get the picture. It seems that without fail, after every vacation I have at least a few days of post-travel sickness. This past year, after spending a glorious few days in Miami in January, I was blessed with a particularly bad case of bronchitis. Good times, people, good times.

I am always fastidious (today's SAT word, folks!) about washing my hands anytime I am on a plane, in a hotel room, a cruise cabin, etc. I am not a germaphobe by any means, but I am a clean person who tries to do what she can to combat illness. No matter how I try, the germ bugs seem to find me, determined to take up residence in my body.

So THIS time, after doing lots of research and talking to friends, I have come up with a plan that will *hopefully* result in zero snotty noses, no more watery eyes and will save me about $50 in Kleenex. Here's hoping!

So here is my 5-point plan for telling those germs to take a hike:

1. Make my own wet wipes, and use them to clean off the plane seat, as well as surfaces in my hotel room and cruise cabin.

My Mouse World Travel co-worker Jeanne said that each time she flies, she takes baby/wet wipes and rubs down their plane seat, tray table, etc. GREAT idea. You know darn well that those things don't get properly cleaned in the 8 minutes between passengers leaving the plane, and the next group coming on.

I found this recipe online for homemade wipes, and I'm going to try them out. I am ready for the confused and questioning stares from my fellow passengers as I wipe down my little area of the plane, but it'll be worth it if I don't end up sick.

Oh - and NEVER use those pillows or blankets on the plane. Ewww. Roll up a sweater, or pack a pashmina or large scarf and use that instead. When you get to your destination, make sure you clean whatever you used as a pillow/blanket, as that touched the plane as well.

I am happier NOT knowing what kinds of germs are on those airplane pillows and blankets. Blech.

2. Use essential oils.

For the past few months, I've been using doTERRA Essential Oils for cleaning, general wellness, etc and I LOVE them. I've had a lot of success keeping small sicknesses at bay (sick people ALL around me and so far, no sickness here!) with the oils, so I plan on making them a part of my plan.

I will use a few drops of their OnGuard blend into my water bottles, and also rub it on my feet each night. I also plan on taking the Lemon and Lime oils, which are natural disinfectants. On the days I fly, I'll also rub OnGuard and Breathe on my chest.

3. Water. Lots and lots of water.

In researching, I found that the post-travel sickness thing is felt by lots of people. (Glad to know I am not the only one!) I read over and over again that this is due in part to the air in the plane. I won't get all sciencey on you (I couldn't be all sciencey, even if I wanted to!) but in essence, there is very low humidity on planes. We have a natural defense in our bodies, via the mucus in our lungs and noses, that keeps those germs at bay. However, when there is such low humidity, those natural defenses dry up. And because of this, staying hydrated can combat the effects of the humidity and help to hydrate your body, which keeps you healthier.

Phew. OK, all done with the science part. (And bet you didn't think you'd ever see the word mucus on this blog! Ha!)

I tend to drink Diet Coke on planes but I will be going 100% water this time around. I am also going to buy my own water bottle after I go through security, vs drinking the water they serve on the plane. I don't mean to imply that the water that they serve is bad (they pour from bottled water), but it makes me feel better that I am the only one drinking out of that particular bottle, which is opened as they do their service of the plane and thus is subjected to the ickiness in the air. Does that make sense?

4. Do what I can pre-vacation to fit the germ bugs.

Before I even leave home, I will do what I can to lessen the chance that the germs take residence in my body.  I'll do my usual cleanliness, doTERRA oils, etc but will also pay special attention to things like potlucks during the holidays, food that people bring to work, etc.

5. Get enough rest during Christmas week.

Don't get me wrong - I love having lots of family around, and fun activities the week of Christmas. It's awesome to see everyone and visit, play games, watch movies late into the night, etc but I find that by the time the 28th/29th rolls around, I am SPENT. So this year, I am making a concerted effort to get enough sleep. If we stay up late one night, I'll set the alarm for 1/2 hour later the next day, for example. When we have some downtime, I'll put my feet up and doze for a few minutes, if I need to.

I leave in a few days for sunny Florida, and when I get back I'll report truthfully on if my wellness plan worked, helped a little bit, or fell flat on its face.

Be sure to follow along here on the blog and on social media as I'll be sharing videos, photos, etc from my trip to Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line.

How do you keep healthy when on vacation? Please share here, or on my social media pages!

Have a magical day!