How To Not Get Sick While Traveling
shoemoney
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4 min read
I can't imagine we are only 2 days away from the Elite Retreat conference. I was packing over the weekend and was thinking back to our 2008 event in San Francisco. I was so sick. It really was a miserable time for me.
At the Elite Retreat I get the best leaders I know in the industry to help the attendees but its my show and I want to solve peoples goals. I size everyone up as fast as possible and the whole time I am focused on solving their problems and helping them get to where they want to.
Just a month back I was at the affiliate summit and was sick also. Being sick sucks in general but at a conference when you are "working" it really sucks.
Both of these times I got sick on the first day I arrived at the conference. I usually get there a day or two early so the cold/flu hits me hardest when I need my strength the most.
Here are my tips for not getting sick while traveling:
Pre-emptive measures
- Flu shot/mist - Every year you should get a flu shot. I used to not get these until I had kids. The flu shot helps you build an immunity to the flu. The flu mist is a new deal that gives you longer coverage and covers more types of flu. You can read more about them here.
- Vitamin C - I take 2000mg of Vitamin C a day. This super bumps up your immune system.
- Airborne Myth - There is a product called Airborne that used to make claims that it would help you to not contract illness while flying on planes. 30+ million dollars later in FTC fines and consumer settlements its now marketed as a simple dietary supplement. Don't fall for this one! WASTE OF MONEY!
- Don't shake hands Many people have written about hand shaking and what a barbaric method of greeting it is. There are tons of great alternatives I wish we would embrace. Shaking hands is one best way to pass germs person to person. I would rather shake hands then create the awkwardness of leaving someone hanging. But that is where the hand sanitizer comes in.
- Sit in a isle seat on the airplane - lots of times people will rest against the window area and breathe/sneeze all over it.
- Don't use the bathroom in the airplane - This is by far the easiest place to contract a cold or flu. Most airplanes only have cold water that do not really kill bacteria and suck for hand washing. Badness all over in airplane bathrooms.
- Don't Smoke - Smoking irritates your throat and weakens your immune system. I am a conference smoker and usually smoke 2 a day or so when I drink. IM WORKING ON IT!
- wash wash wash wash wash your hands.
- Keep a mask in your carry on. I am not talking about one of those surgical masks. Surgical masks are made to keep the wearer from preventing spreading their germs if they cough. You need to get a Pandemic Mask like this. If you have to sit bitch on your plane or anywhere near a child bust that sucker out.
- Use Alcohol-based hand sanitizers or gels or antibacterial wipes - I always keep hand sanitizer gel in my carry on and use it frequently throughout my trip.