We understand that many of you have the travel bug because, in all honesty, we have the travel bug too. Though we are as eager as you are to hop on a plane, the truth is that travel is going to look a little bit different going forward, and we all need to be extra cautious. It’s important that we keep ourselves and others as safe, happy, and healthy as possible, and one easy way that you can do this is by being a more conscious traveler. Being a conscious traveler means that you are taking extra steps to ensure that you’re protecting your health and the health of others and are more aware of what’s going on around you. If you aren’t exactly sure what you can do to become a more conscious traveler on your next trip, we can help!
Here are some of our top tips at the moment:
- Wash Your Hands
The first thing that you can do in order to be a conscious traveler is to simply wash your hands. You should be washing your hands frequently, such as before you eat, after you use the restroom, after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose – and that’s just the beginning! Another thing to keep in mind is that you should be washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (this is equivalent to humming the “happy birthday” song twice) to ensure that you get rid of as many germs as possible.
- Research the Area You Want to Travel to
Another thing that you can do to be a conscious traveler is to research the area that you want to travel to. There are some areas in the world that are considered “COVID-19 hotspots”, which means the virus is more widespread there than in other parts of the world. If you find that the area you are looking to travel to is considered a hotspot, you may want to avoid traveling there altogether. If for some reason you have to travel to that area for work or personal reasons, take precautions such as frequently washing your hands, keeping your distance, and wearing a mask.
- Keep Your Distance From Others
A large part of being a conscious traveler is respecting other people’s personal space, and you can do this by keeping your distance. Many people are uneasy of others being close to them right now, which is why it’s crucial that you try to stay at least six feet apart from other people whenever you can.
- Choose an Airline That Promotes Social Distancing
Choosing an airline that promotes social distancing is key if you’re looking to travel by plane. Fortunately, there are many airlines that are doing a great job of promoting social distancing.
For example, Southwest Airlines is keeping all of their middle seats open and is requiring that face masks are worn during all flights. Another airline doing an exceptional job is Delta Airlines. Delta is also keeping all of their middle seats open, and is boarding each flight starting at the rear to ensure that people don’t have to pass each other while getting to their seats.
- Sanitize Your Frequently Used Items
Another way to try and prevent the spread of germs is to sanitize your frequently used items. This includes your wallet, phone, purse, keys, etc. Keep sanitizing wipes on you whenever you can, and wipe down these items with your wipes whenever you leave a public place, or make it a habit to wipe them down at the end of each day.
- Wear a Mask
Wearing a mask out in public has become a common thing over the course of the past few months for good reason. According to the Mayo Clinic, a cloth mask can trap droplets that are released when the wearer talks, sneezes, or coughs, which can prevent the spread of COVID-19 from people who may not know they have it.
Looking to jazz up your masks a little bit? You can now find masks with chic prints, breathable fabrics, LED masks, and even masks with air purifiers.
- Support Local
Some of the businesses that have taken the biggest hit from the Coronavirus pandemic are local businesses. Though there are many large chains and big name brands that are thriving during this time, a lot of mom-and-pop shops and smaller businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water. This is why when you’re traveling, it’s important to “support local” by making a conscious effort to purchase from small businesses instead of large corporations. Ask any small business owner and they’ll tell you that each sale makes a difference.
- Be Respectful
Though it’s always important to be respectful to those around you, it’s especially to be respectful now. While you’re out and about during your trip, there’s a good chance that you’ll run into some people that are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, such as older adults. Odds are, those people are probably uneasy about being out in public, and we all need to respect their feelings and their space.
- Don’t Touch an Item Unless You Intend to Purchase it
So many of us are used to going into clothing or grocery stores and looking at items before purchasing them. This usually includes trying on an article of clothing to see if it fits or looks good, or taking a closer look at a food item before putting it into your shopping cart. Due to the current circumstances, it’s best that you don’t touch an item unless you intend to purchase it. Doing so will help to prevent the spread of any germs onto that item, and will help in making others around you feel more comfortable.
- Be Kind
There are many people out there who are uneasy about this “new normal” we are facing, and the biggest thing that you can do as a conscious traveler is be kind. Be kind to yourself, to your friends, to your family, and even to strangers around you by keeping your distance, and take precautions to stay healthy, so that you lessen the chance of spreading germs to others.
Though there are a lot of unknowns in this world right now, there’s one thing that’s certain – we are all human, and we could all do with a little bit of kindness in our lives. If you are traveling somewhere, try to follow these steps as best you can to stay healthy and to make others around you feel more comfortable. At the end of the day, it’s crucial to remember that we are all in this together.
