Beauty & Confidence

You’ve been looking forward to that family vacation all year, so you shouldn’t spend it coughing and blowing your nose. Unfortunately, traveling can make you more susceptible to the colds and the flu.

Traveling by airplane, train or bus also raises the risk of getting sick, because a number of people are in an enclosed space for a prolonged period of time. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Research found that people were five or more times more likely to catch a cold after sitting on a flight.

But that doesn’t mean you have to pack the throat drops along with the sunscreen and beach towels. Follow these cold prevention moves to make sure that the only things your family brings home are happy memories and souvenirs -- not sniffles and sneezes.

1. Scrub up. Washing your hands is the No. 1 way to fend off colds and viruses. So, make sure that you scrub your hands thoroughly -- including at the top, on the bottom, between the fingers and beneath the fingernails -- with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Regularly hit the sink throughout the day -- especially in rest rooms. According to researchers from Sul Ross State University in Texas, 1 in 5 highway rest-stop bathrooms were contaminated with dangerous bacteria, such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

2. Use a hand sanitizer. Can’t get to a sink? Stash a container of alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your purse and whip it out regularly. Also rub the gel all over her hands like you would if she was washing you hands; the rubbing and friction helps to remove the viruses.

3. Make smart nutrition decisions. Part of the fun of vacation is indulging in treats and local cuisine. But you want to make sure that you are eating plenty of fruits and veggies along with that ice cream cone. Those immune-boosting nutrients are important to help fight off viruses. Pack healthy snacks, such as nuts and whole pieces of fruit, to munch on between meals.

4. Get enough shut-eye. Research shows that falling short on sleep weakens the immune system, making you more vulnerable to viruses. It can get tricky, but try to ensure that you’re is logging enough z’s on vacation.