Health Tips for Winter Travel

'Tis the season to be coughing... Or not. While the holiday season definitely brings good cheer, it unfortunately also brings coughs, sniffles, aches and pains. Perhaps this is, as your grandmother once said, due to the cold air or going outside without a hat on. Or, perhaps the illnesses that seem to be brought on by the holidays can be attributed to the fact that we, as a society, travel far and wide to spend holidays with family. We pack ourselves like sardines into tin cans that streak across the sky, or bumpity-bump down the railways just to eat a little turkey with family. Barring avoiding family holiday gatherings, there are some things that you can do to help boost your immune system to avoid becoming ill while traveling.

First, get some rest. Your body cannot fight illness when you burn the candle at both ends. Your body needs rest. A lack of rest not only leaves you prone to sickness, but also limits your ability to concentrate which, while driving, can be especially dangerous.

Wash your hands. It's a simple trick that is effective at combating cold-causing germs. Use soap and warm water. If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that does not require water. Lather your hands well. Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer. Try to avoid touching the faucet after washing your hands.

Make sure that you wash your hands prior to eating, touching your face or dealing with your contact lenses. Wash them after shaking hands, using the restroom, touching a sick person or handling garbage.

Dose up on the Vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to protect against colds and flus. Vitamin C can be found in the form of a supplement, such as Emergen-C or in several fruits and vegetables. Speaking of which, you should maintain a healthy diet while traveling. Eating foods high in fats limits your body's ability to fight bacteria and viruses.

These few tips can't guarantee that you won't fall victim to a cold or flu, but they can limit your exposure, thereby minimizing the chances of you spending Christmas Day with that fever, stuffy head, achy back feeling.