Travel advice?

[Indylady]

I''ve been flying/driving long distances about once or twice a week for the past three weeks, and its left me exhausted, and now sick.

I have to keep this keep for at least some time. Bah! Tips to keep myself healthy?

I''m getting sleep, and eating well. I''ve been travelling in the same time zone as well, so no jet lag. The flights are only 1-2 hours, but they are often early (before work) or late (6-9pm). Apart from that, and I don''t think those hours are extreme, I have no idea what might be causing me to feel so badly. Any ideas? Tips?

 

[elrohwen]

I was a road warrior for almost 4 years and unfortunately I don''t have any tips. I used to be sick constantly. It''s really hard to avoid germs that are circulating around through the plane. I don''t think there''s much you can do other than wash your hands a lot.

 

[Indylady]

Thanks Elrowhen; funny, but I hadn''t thought of that! I''ll have to carry hand sanitizer from now on.

 

[zoebartlett]

Maybe drink more water? I''m not sure why I''m saying that but staying hydrated seems like a good cure all.

Other than that, just keep doing what you''re doing -- get lots of rest, eat right, exercise if possible, yadda, yadda...

I hope things settle down soon. Traveling so frequently, I''d imagine, can take its toll.

 

[Circe]

My husband flies just about every week: he also has the constitution of an ox, works happily on transatlantic flights, never gets jetlag, and can sleep through construction. I fly with him periodically, and those are the times that I hate him.

That said, because I fly with him ... I''ve had the opportunity to make some rules.

1) Layer. Flights are hell, by which I mean all the circles, from hot to cold, at one point to another.

2) Hydrate. I self-medicate with booze, because I loathe being surrounded by people, but that will dehydrate you like nobody''s business. Drink as much water as you can.

3) Personally, I hate hand-sanitizers: I think we''re breeding a cold germ the size of a waterbug with those things. But I do wash my hands every chance I get, and I take an extra vitamin or drink an Emergen-C whenever I fly, on the principle that it can''t hurt.

You say you''re driving as well as flying, so I''m going to speculate that it''s not a compromised immune system, or a susceptibility to bugs: I''d guess you''re probably just tired. Early or late flights, even if they''re not insanely so, are a source of stress, and they can throw off your sleep schedule. You say you''re eating and sleeping well, so I''m not sure if there *are* tips, other than giving yourself some time to adjust - it *has* only been three weeks, right?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Sleep when you can and make sure you''re eating well and hydrating. If you''re not already taking a multivitamin, start and maybe consider adding some B12 or B6 for added energy.

 

[Indylady]

Zoe- I''m trying, but I don''t think I''ve been drinking enough water. I''ll bring a bottle, end up having to toss it at security, and then buy a coffee once I''m in the gate.

Somehow, my reasoning winds up being, I can spend $$ on coffee or $$ on water, and if I''m going to spend anything, why not get a coffee? I know, I know. I think I might start carrying a reusable bottle that I''ll just empty out beforehand.

Circe-I''ve been flying way more than driving, but, since you mentioned a compromised immune system...I''ve been taking the train to work everyday! (and to the airport as well) Perhaps that is what is making me sick? I can''t believe I hadn''t thought of that sooner. I will work on the hydration and start taking vitamins,

HH- I haven''t been taking a multivitamin. I''ll start today after work, and look for a B12 supplement as well. I should have thought about that as well!

 

[dragonfly411]

Indy - Sleep is key. I say this a lot and swear by it... before a flight... take an Aireborne. It is like a little vitamin bomb so it''s a good preventative. Take a daily multi vitamin as well. Otherwise, make sure you get plenty of fluids, eat well, and try doing an energizing exercise in the morning.. it boosts you for the entire day!

 

[Octavia]

Indy, look into a Bobble. It''s a reusable water bottle with a filter in the cap, so it takes away most of the nasty taste from water fountain water. I LOVE mine and definitely drink more water because of it. You can take it empty through security and fill it once you''re inside. There are a couple other bottles like this, but this is the only one I''ve used and you can get it at lots of places.

 

[Indylady]

Thank you Dragonfly! Airborne..I''ll definitely look into it. So its not a daily vitamin, but more like a "defensive" vitamin? That''s interesting! I might pack a few for my trip this fall!

Octavia, thank you! That is a genius idea! I''m travelling overseas for the next year, and I might buy 4 or 5 to last me the year while I''m away. The reigon I''m going to doesn''t have clean water, so you have to boil and then filter it. I am so glad you recommended this!

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 6/28/2010 12:49:25 PM
Author: Octavia
Indy, look into a Bobble. It''s a reusable water bottle with a filter in the cap, so it takes away most of the nasty taste from water fountain water. I LOVE mine and definitely drink more water because of it. You can take it empty through security and fill it once you''re inside. There are a couple other bottles like this, but this is the only one I''ve used and you can get it at lots of places.

That is such a great idea! DH always fills up his water bottle at airports, but Newark''s water is so bad that I just end up buying bottled water.

 

[Haven]

Date: 6/28/2010 12:49:25 PM
Author: Octavia
Indy, look into a Bobble. It''s a reusable water bottle with a filter in the cap, so it takes away most of the nasty taste from water fountain water. I LOVE mine and definitely drink more water because of it. You can take it empty through security and fill it once you''re inside. There are a couple other bottles like this, but this is the only one I''ve used and you can get it at lots of places.

That looks awesome!

IndyLady--I know it''s been said before, but my first response is HYDRATE! I don''t travel for work, but I travel for pleasure and flying always sucks all the water out of me. Sometimes I can actually see my hands getting dry throughout the flight. I always make sure to drink a lot of water, and that keeps me feeling much better than the times when I give in to temptation and order a soda for a treat, instead. The trade off, of course, is that I have to use the loo on the plane, but it''s so worth it because I don''t get sick from flying.

I''m sorry you feel so bad!

 

[tyty333]

Date: 6/28/2010 9:04:28 AM
Author:IndyLady
I''ve been flying/driving long distances about once or twice a week for the past three weeks, and its left me exhausted, and now sick.

I have to keep this keep for at least some time. Bah! Tips to keep myself healthy?

I''m getting sleep, and eating well. I''ve been travelling in the same time zone as well, so no jet lag. The flights are only 1-2 hours, but they are often early (before work) or late (6-9pm). Apart from that, and I don''t think those hours are extreme, I have no idea what might be causing me to feel so badly. Any ideas? Tips?

Pregnant?

 

[Indylady]

Date: 6/28/2010 3:52:35 PM
Author: Haven

Date: 6/28/2010 12:49:25 PM
Author: Octavia
Indy, look into a Bobble. It''s a reusable water bottle with a filter in the cap, so it takes away most of the nasty taste from water fountain water. I LOVE mine and definitely drink more water because of it. You can take it empty through security and fill it once you''re inside. There are a couple other bottles like this, but this is the only one I''ve used and you can get it at lots of places.

That looks awesome!

IndyLady--I know it''s been said before, but my first response is HYDRATE! I don''t travel for work, but I travel for pleasure and flying always sucks all the water out of me. Sometimes I can actually see my hands getting dry throughout the flight. I always make sure to drink a lot of water, and that keeps me feeling much better than the times when I give in to temptation and order a soda for a treat, instead. The trade off, of course, is that I have to use the loo on the plane, but it''s so worth it because I don''t get sick from flying.

I''m sorry you feel so bad!

Thanks Haven! Since I''ve been feeling badly, I''ve also upped my coffee intake, which is probably making me feel worse. (insert embarrassed emotie) I always put lotion on before I fly because flying dries my skin out. The same must apply for the inside of your body as well! So far, I''m on my third bottle of water and I am actually feeling better.

 

[Indylady]

Date: 6/28/2010 4:13:46 PM
Author: tyty333

Date: 6/28/2010 9:04:28 AM
Author:IndyLady
I''ve been flying/driving long distances about once or twice a week for the past three weeks, and its left me exhausted, and now sick.

I have to keep this keep for at least some time. Bah! Tips to keep myself healthy?

I''m getting sleep, and eating well. I''ve been travelling in the same time zone as well, so no jet lag. The flights are only 1-2 hours, but they are often early (before work) or late (6-9pm). Apart from that, and I don''t think those hours are extreme, I have no idea what might be causing me to feel so badly. Any ideas? Tips?

Pregnant?

Hahaha, definitely not. Its impossible.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 6/28/2010 4:43:14 PM
Author: IndyLady

Date: 6/28/2010 3:52:35 PM

Author: Haven

Date: 6/28/2010 12:49:25 PM

Author: Octavia

Indy, look into a Bobble. It''s a reusable water bottle with a filter in the cap, so it takes away most of the nasty taste from water fountain water. I LOVE mine and definitely drink more water because of it. You can take it empty through security and fill it once you''re inside. There are a couple other bottles like this, but this is the only one I''ve used and you can get it at lots of places.

That looks awesome!


IndyLady--I know it''s been said before, but my first response is HYDRATE! I don''t travel for work, but I travel for pleasure and flying always sucks all the water out of me. Sometimes I can actually see my hands getting dry throughout the flight. I always make sure to drink a lot of water, and that keeps me feeling much better than the times when I give in to temptation and order a soda for a treat, instead. The trade off, of course, is that I have to use the loo on the plane, but it''s so worth it because I don''t get sick from flying.


I''m sorry you feel so bad!

Thanks Haven! Since I''ve been feeling badly, I''ve also upped my coffee intake, which is probably making me feel worse. (insert embarrassed emotie) I always put lotion on before I fly because flying dries my skin out. The same must apply for the inside of your body as well! So far, I''m on my third bottle of water and I am actually feeling better.

I was just going to say, that coffee can''t be helping! I sympathize, since I love my coffee, but yeah, definitely go for the bottle of water once through security, or a bottle of non-caffeinated tea, like green tea, or something. Of course, I hate coffee pre-boarding because it makes me need to pee like every 30 minutes, lol.

Octavia, that Bobble is a great idea!

 

[Indylady]

Yup, I''ve been living a life of coffee excess!

I want to ask you a question or two about law school! If you catch this, I''ll post them here, and if not I''ll make a new thread. I have a year to decide if its right for me, and while I''m feeling confident about my interest in law school, I have a few friends that don''t like it but are sticking with it since they''ve started already and finished their 1L year. Any questions I should seriously ask myself before I apply again (I''m going away for the year so instead of deferring I decided I''d just wait and apply again)? Should I have a clear career goal before I even start?

Octavia, if you see this, I''d love to hear from you too!

 

[Octavia]

Indy, I''m at bar review now so I''ll write more later, but I just wanted to say that I wouldn''t worry too much about choosing a field before law school. I do think it''s important to consider whether you want to be on the big firm track or if you are aiming more for public service, and I think it''s helpful if you have an inkling toward criminal vs. civil, or litigation vs. transactional work. Bit almost everyone I know who entered thinking "I want to do T&E/international law/etc" (including me!) has changed their mind. So being open to liking something other than what you anticipate now that you will like is very important, as is taking a variety of classes -- unless you''re like my crazy friend who only ever wants to do tax and arranged his whole schedule around tax classes, and was happy as a clam. But if you aren''t 100% sure, try different things out. Also, if you want to be at a big firm, you might not even get assigned to the department you want to be in, at least at first, so knowing the basics of lots of areas is helpful. I hope this helps a bit for now, and if you have other questions, I''m always happy to give opinions!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

In addition to water and mulit-vitamins also be sure to eat as much fruit and veggies as you can. When traveling it''s more common to get into a cycle of eating more convenience foods.