Myth Or Fact: Travel Edition

Myth #1: You can only deal with jet lag once you have reached your destination

The Truth: Jet lag happens when your natural circadian rhythm is disrupted from traveling to a new time zone. It is worse as you travel from west to east and can also last longer. Fortunately, there are ways that you can prepare in advance to manage jet lag-associated issues such as indigestion, problems with bowel movements and appetite loss from ruining your trip.¹

Here are some ways:

• - A few days before you depart, adjust your sleep schedule slightly to match your new destination’s time zone.
• - If possible, eat meals closer to the time you will be eating them at your destination.
• - Ensure that you are properly hydrated before, during and upon arrival of your trip. Proper hydration may help manage jet lag symptoms and travel fatigue.
• - Avoid fitting too many things into your schedule especially on the day when you first arrive.
• - Your body naturally makes melatonin to trigger sleepiness. Consider taking a melatonin supplement at night if your body is not ready for bed or even in the morning if you need help to continue sleeping.

Myth #2: Hand sanitisers can replace hand washing

The Truth: While hand sanitisers are great for killing most bacteria and viruses, it does not get rid of all types of germs. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs, dirt, grease, and harmful chemicals lingering on your skin. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.³


Myth #3: Viruses can spread through the ventilation in the aircraft

The Truth: All commercial jet aircraft built after the late 1980s recirculate 10%–50% of the air in the cabin, mixed with outside air. In most newer-model airplanes, the recycled air passes through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which capture 99.9% of particles (such as bacteria, fungi, and larger viruses or virus clumps). Cabin air is also generally circulated in defined areas within the aircraft, limiting the radius of distribution of pathogens spread by small-particle aerosols, thus controlling the spread of viruses.⁴

Some virus however, may still be spread via contact with infected secretions, such as when a sick person sneezes or coughs and touches a communal surface with contaminated hands. The droplets in the air and contact of those contaminated surfaces can lead to the spread of viruses.⁵

Thus, practicing good handwashing and respiratory hygiene by covering mouth or wearing a mask when coughing or sneezing can decrease the risk of spread. Bringing along some antibacterial wipes to wipe areas of high contact can also help. Most importantly, stay healthy while travelling by boosting your immunity before your trip. Powerful antioxidant such as LAC MASQUELIER’s® French Pine Bark Extract can help fight free radicals throughout the body to provide a natural source of protection.


Myth #4: It is difficult to stay healthy/ not gain weight during your holiday

The Truth: It’s normal to slip into holiday mood and forgo the healthy eating habits and exercise routine that you have built up back home (it is a holiday after all, right?). But if you have made good progress in your fitness or weight loss journey and would like to continue staying active, it is not difficult. Here are some travel tips for healthy travels:

• - Choose a hotel that comes with a gym. If that is not possible, pack with you some lightweight and portable workout equipment such as resistance band or skipping rope.
• - Create a morning routine that sets you up for the day ahead. Taking 15 minutes each day to do a few reps of exercises like sit-ups, wall squats, push ups and jumping jacks is a great start.
• - Plan days to do physical activities such as hiking. Activities such as visiting museums and shopping can also help clock in the recommended 10,000 steps a day.
• - With so many different food options and delicacies to try on your holiday, consider packing in an appetite suppressant such as LAC LeanCut Garcinia Cambogia Appetite Control or LAC LeanCut CarbX to help reduce carbohydrate absorption.

Myth #5: You will not get traveller’s diarrhoea if you avoid certain types of food.

The Truth: When travelling, it is always best to avoid consuming raw food. Ensuring that your food is thoroughly cooked through and avoiding any undercooked meat and seafood can minimise your risk of developing traveller’s diarrhoea. It is also good to stick with bottled or filtered/treated water as contaminated water can look clean but still have harmful bacteria, virus and parasites. However, avoiding these foods do not mean that you are completely out of the woods. Traveller’s diarrhoea typically comes from unhygienic food handling but factors such as stress, unfamiliar food and increased alcohol consumption may also play a part.⁶ Carry along someprobioticsto replenish the good bacteria in your gut, and keep any harmful bacteria at bay.


We hope this article help bust any of the travel misconceptions that you may have. Now, go on, head out to explore and enjoy yourself! For more tips on how you can keep on top of your health during your holiday and essentials to bring along your trip, read this article here.



References:
¹https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/how-to-get-over-jet-lag
²https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/jet-lag/symptoms-causes/syc-20374027
³ https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
⁴ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-by-air-land-sea/air-travel
⁵ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-by-air-land-sea/air-travel
⁶ https://www.healthxchange.sg/digestive-system/colorectal/travellers-diarrhoea-causes-prevention