It can be hard to stay healthy when traveling with a large group. Still, it is possible, especially if you take a few precautions beforehand, like packing plenty of water bottles and keeping in contact with the group, so they know to watch out for each other. Plus, we have some handy tips below for ensuring your vacation is fun – without getting sick!
1. Keep Hydrated
The most important thing you can do to stay healthy on vacation is to drink plenty of water! Your body needs water to flush out toxins and soothe your stomach, so try not to skip meals (and don’t let your friends eat all the fun food!) and ensure you’re taking in enough water throughout the day.
2. Avoid Heat
If you’re going somewhere hot, prepare for it beforehand by ensuring that your group takes plenty of breaks in the shade and has drinks available. Make sure you’re staying away from alcohol as well—it makes you sweat more, which can lead to dehydration.
3. Plan Ahead
If you’re going somewhere where there will be lots of people outside, make sure your group stays off the streets during peak hours and in the shade while walking around. Keep an eye on everyone’s water consumption to ensure that nobody is running low, and if anyone starts to get sick (fever, shivers, fatigue), send them home with a trusted friend. For most of these rules to apply, your group must always stay together.
4. Take Precautions
Suppose you’re going somewhere where there are a lot of people. In that case, your group should consider taking precautions like drinking hand sanitizer before meals, washing their hands often, and bringing wipes in case anyone needs a more thorough cleaning.
5. Watch Out for Each Other
The most important thing you can do to stay healthy on vacation is to watch out for each other. Make sure that everybody is waiting hydrated, and pay attention to people who are sick and make sure they’re taking care of themselves.
6. Say No to Crowd Food
If your entire group is going to eat somewhere, everyone should agree on where you’re going. Spreading out the group in multiple restaurants means it will only affect some people if someone gets sick. Also, make sure that your group takes advantage of safe food preparation practices when cooking for each other (like thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before you cut them up) and use separate plates for everyone. This will help reduce the risk of spreading any germs around! If you’re going somewhere where people make food or drink from shared containers, ensure that your whole group always cleans their hands before eating or drinking anything.
7. Booking a Charter Bus Instead of Public Transportation
If your group is going to cover a lot of ground, you should contract with a local provider who can provide charter buses to keep the entire group together and on schedule. Keeping a group out of public transportation will limit the number of germs the group is exposed to which will keep everyone healthier.