I Took 14 Flights This Year and it Blew. How I Fight Colds as a Sick Girlie™

Written By Gabriella McKenzie

This trademark is facetious and a joke, thank you

I’m not a doctor and this isn’t medical advice. I was just sick a ton this year so idk honestly. But this is my advice.

I’ve been sick in Hanoi, Vietnam + Bangkok, Thailand +CDMX, Mexico + Kauai, Hawaii + Puerto Escondido, Mexico + Phoenix, Arizona + Wellington, New Zealand + Los Angeles, California. No matter where you are, being sick somewhere unfamiliar sucks. Here’s what I do to prepare for the best case scenario but expect the worst.

  • Wear a mask when you can. Especially on flights! Biggest lesson is that people are disgusting.

  • Be that weirdo who wipes down your entire seat and sanitizes your hands constantly.

  • As soon as you get off the airplane wash those hands.

  • VItamin C

    • the gummies are delicious and great at supporting your immune system.

    • Up the ante to airborne 3 days before your trip, don’t overdo these though you can overdose on Vitamin C actually.

    • Eat plenty of oranges and natural sources of vitamins.

    • I love doing ginger-tumeric-orange shots I make at home. I don’t know if they work but the placebo sure does and they’re yummy. Blend the fruit of 2 oranges with an inch of tumeric root, 2in peeled ginger, the fruit of 1 small lemon, and water. Double strain and decant into a jar. Add a splash of olive oil and some cracks of black pepper. (Combining turmeric with olive oil enhances the absorption of tumeric because it is fat-soluble, and black pepper gives it a zip that wakes ya up for fun).

  • Get enough sleep.

  • If you feel a cold coming avoid any kind of alcoholic beverages.

  • If you’re traveling places with different bacteria than you’re used to, prep with a probiotic ahead of time and even introduce foods that are fermented into your diet like yogurt or kimchi.

Prepare for the worst.

  • Pack your bag full of medicine ahead of any trip. I’ve learned the hard way that when you need something, you need something

    • advil

    • tylenol

    • anti-diarrheal

    • tums

    • anti-naseua

    • drammamine

    • benadryl

    • mucinex

    • melatonin

  • Bring the extra undies and socks

  • Bring a tissue packet

  • Bring hydration packets

  • Bring some snacks. If you’re sick, it is super nice to have that KIND bar and some dried fruit without having to venture out

  • Prepare for sleep with an eye mask and ear plugs, the only way to get better is to get good sleep and you need to be able to rest

Gabriella McKenzie
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