The holidays are upon us and many of us are gearing up to travel to be with our families. We all know how crowded airports can get, not to mention the airplanes themselves. Add the stress of navigating the crowds and the change in our routines, and it’s no wonder our immune systems take a huge hit.
While we can’t control the frenzy of holiday travel, we can take steps to prepare ourselves and give our immune system a much-needed boost.
Here are some tips to help you stay healthy while on the go this holiday season:
Prep Your Immune System with Supplements
One of our MHP team members swears by her pre-travel immune-boosting routine. Here’s her multi-step approach:
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Three days before the trip: Start boosting your immune system with supplements like Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Blend or Pure Encapsulations Daily Immune.
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On the day of the flight: Use an immune-supporting throat spray, such as Biocidin Throat Spray and take American Biotech Labs Silver Lozenges with Manuka Honey during the flight.
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During your trip: Keep supporting your immune system with 5 Defenders or extra doses of a vitamin C, such as MHP Alka-C Powder.
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For the return trip: Repeat the routine for the trip home.
Other Ways to Keep the Immune System Ready
Eat a Balanced Diet
Travel can make it difficult to stick to a nutrient-rich diet. However, with the exposure to new environments and potential pathogens, it’s essential to keep your immune system strong. Aim to eat nutrient-dense foods during your travels to help bolster your immunity. Packing healthy snacks like nuts and fruit for the flight and prioritizing whole foods while on the go will give your immune system the support it needs.
Keep Hydrated
Hydration is key for a healthy immune system. White blood cells, immune cells, and lymph—critical components of our immune system—all thrive when we’re properly hydrated. It’s easy to forget to drink water while rushing through airports or while on a flight, but it’s crucial to stay hydrated. In all the chaos of flying, it can be easy to forget to grab some water as you are running around. To make it easier, carry an empty water bottle through TSA and fill it up before heading to your gate.
Maintain an Exercise Routine
Holiday travel can throw off your regular routine, but maintaining an exercise regimen while away is another way to support your immune system. Research shows that regular exercise boosts immunity on a cellular level by increasing the circulation of immune cells throughout the body. While traveling, you can still find ways to move. Go for a run or a walk, use the exercise facilities at your hotel, or, if there’s no gym, try a fitness or yoga video in your hotel room.
Wash Your Hands
Finally, one of the best defenses against picking up a bug while traveling is practicing good hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, after touching shared surfaces, or when you’ve been around crowds. Keeping your hands clean helps reduce the risk of infection.
With these tips, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the holiday travel season while keeping your immunity system strong. Safe travels and stay healthy.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
Nieman, D. C. and L. M. Wentz. (2018). The compelling link between physical activity and the body’s defense system. Journal of Sports and Health Science. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6523821/
What is the relationship between hydration and immune health? (2024). Health Internetwork. https://www.healthinternetwork.org/diet-and-immunity/hydration-and-immune-health.html