Why do we get sick on holiday? Here are six ways to boost your immune system before your holiday

Here’s Why You Get Sick on Holiday, According to A Doctor

Dr Luke Powles, Clinical Director, at Bupa Health Clinics

Over the last 30 days, there’s been a surge of searches on Google for ‘last minute holidays’, with many of us taking advantage of the warmer temperatures abroad. With travel restrictions easing, it’s a chance to get away and explore new places.

If you’re jetting off in search of summer sun, the last thing you need is to get poorly. It’s more common than you think, and there’s a few scientific reasons you get sick on holiday.

Here Bupa’s Clinical Director – Dr Luke Powles – reveals why we’re at a higher risk of getting poorly on holiday, and how to boost your immune system beforehand.

Why do we get ill on holiday?

In the run up to a holiday, it’s easy to find yourself getting busy or stressed – which can wear down your immune system, making you more vulnerable to sickness while you’re away.

When work pressures have eased and you’re more relaxed, your stress levels may fall, which stops the production of adrenaline. A drop in adrenaline can lead to your body producing more cortisol, and this weakens our immune system. Exposure to new environments and close contact with unwell travelers can increase your chance of picking up a bug, particularly if your immune system is run-down.

Whilst you may fele relieved to travel again, you may feel worried about the risk of catching COVID on holiday. You can't eliminate the risk of catching coronavirus while traveling, but you can certainly minimise it. Wash your hands more often, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands aren’t clean and try and take social distancing measures as much as we can.

On the other hand, you may experience the 'let-down effect', which typically follows a period of heightened stress. This may result in mental health symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, and depression.

The let-down effect may also lead to illness, perhaps following a stressful work project or easing your workload before you finish for your holiday. When we de-stress too rapidly, it can lead to biochemical changes that result in a weakened immunity, leaving us vulnerable to illness.

Six ways to boost your immune system before your holiday:

A strong immune system is your best friend when preparing for a holiday. It’s not something you can develop overnight but investing time in boosting your health and fitness in the weeks leading up to a much-anticipated break can make a big difference.

Sleep tight: Getting a good night’s sleep in the lead up to your holiday will help ensure your body is well-rested and ready to combat any illness which may come your way.
Diversify your diet: Upping your intake of foods rich in antioxidants, including leafy green vegetables, berries, and citrus fruits, and adding a probiotic yogurt to your diet will boost your immune system. In addition to a healthy diet, you can also take a vitamin drip in London provided by Drip Hydration, which will fuel your body with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients by delivering them directly to your bloodstream.
Daily dose of D: Vitamin D has many benefits, one of which is reducing the rate of infection in the body. Ensure you have adequate exposure to daylight and safely soak up the sun when you can or add a vitamin D supplement to your diet.
Keep it clean: Regular handwashing is vital to stopping the spread of illness. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly at regular intervals throughout the day, particularly when using public facilities and carry a hand sanitiser with you when travelling.
Relax, refresh, revive: In the lead up to your holiday, focus on workplace wellbeing, including practicing mindfulness, to make the transition from a stressful working environment to a peaceful paradise easier on your body and mind.
Understand the country’s restrictions: Restrictions are changing fast, and countries may impose travel restrictions without notice. Keep up to date with the latest official advice and check UK government general travel guidance regularly for any new updates. Many destinations now require a fit to fly certificate, so it’s important to arrange these before your holiday.