When traveling on vacation, your chances of getting sick increase. Being in a new environment surrounded by lots more people can expose you to more bacteria and germs. People in the United States get approximately one billion colds every year. If you don’t have a plan of attack, you could end up spending your vacation time cooped up in bed rather than exploring all the sights. Here are ten tips on how to avoid getting sick when visiting New York City this winter.

Be Careful What You Eat

New York City is a food mecca of gourmet cuisines and street vendors. If you overeat, you will wind up getting sick and not be able to truly enjoy your vacation. Be wary of street vendors. You don’t know how fresh the food is. If it’s been sitting out all day, you could get food poisoning and end up spending your time in the emergency room.

Do your best to eat like you would if you were at home. Avoid junk food that doesn’t provide you with the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Limit the introduction of new foods that you have never tried before so that your body can have time to get used to it.

Get More Rest

Just because NYC boasts itself as the city that never sleeps, it’s not a good idea for you to adopt the same philosophy. Your body needs at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night to function properly. You’ll help boost your immune system to fight germs and bacteria from getting you sick. The city can be a bit noisy at night which can keep you awake if you’re sensitive to noise. Consider investing in earplugs, sleep medication, or a sound machine to help you drown out all the bustling activity.

Practice Proper Hand Washing

Wash your hands frequently using plenty of soap and water, especially after meals and trips to the restroom. Dry off your hands with paper towels or a high-speed Dyson hand dryer to avoid spreading germs back onto your hands. Use hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to soap and water. If you are visiting family members who have small children, you may want to consider washing and sanitizing your hands more often. Approximately 87% of five-year-olds are enrolled in pre-primary programs in the United States. If your nieces, nephews, and cousins are a part of that population, they could be carrying tons of bacteria from school.

Drink More Water

Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help prevent you from becoming sick. Since our body is made up of mostly water, it’s important to replenish our organs to keep them functioning properly. Carry bottled water with you at all times to help you avoid the risk of developing diarrhea from drinking tap water that carries bacteria you aren’t used to.

Take Supplements

Taking vitamin and mineral supplements can help prevent you from getting sick. Vitamins A, C, and D can boost your immune system. Probiotics can reduce the number of bacteria that can cause illness from wreaking havoc. Adding supplements to a healthy diet rich in fiber will give your stomach the ability to fight off unhealthy bacteria so you can spend more time enjoying your new experiences.

Get Your Flu Shot

According to the CDC, there have been at least 710,000M flu-related hospitalizations since 2010. One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Before going to New York City, make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup and to get your flu shot and any other necessary vaccinations.

Protect Your Eyes

To avoid getting sick, do your best to keep your hands away from your face, especially your eyes. This will help prevent germs on any surfaces you touch from entering your body. If you must touch your face for any reason, use facial tissues to provide a barrier.

Avoid Alcohol and Cigarettes

Drinking and smoking can both cause dehydration, which increases your chances of getting sick. Cigarettes can make your cold and flu symptoms last even longer. Alcohol can also prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep, which can weaken your immune system. Eliminating these two activities can help keep you healthier so you can focus on enjoying your stay.

Don’t Forget Your Exercise Routine

Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you can skimp on your workouts. Exercise can help prevent respiratory tract infections from developing as well as shortening their duration. Keep your exercise routine the same as if you were home. If you don’t normally exercise, do as much walking around the city as possible while you are on vacation. Not only will you be able to better take in the sights, but you’ll keep yourself healthier as well!

Keep Insurance Documents Handy

If you do need to go to the hospital or urgent care center because you’re sick, you’ll want to keep your health insurance documents handy in a safe place where you won’t lose them. The Gartner Group estimates that around 15% of all paper documents get misplaced and 7.5% of them get lost completely. When you are on vacation, you can easily forget where you put your health insurance cards. Designate a specific place for these documents where you can easily access them if you need them.

Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company about what providers in New York City are covered under your plan. Make a list of contact information for these providers and keep it in your smartphone for easy access. That way, you can seek treatment and shorten the duration of your illness should you get sick during your visit.

You’ve probably looked forward to this trip for a long time now. Getting sick would ruin all your fun plans and you definitely don’t want that. If you can keep yourself protected, you can truly enjoy everything the Big Apple has to offer. Following these ten tips will help you avoid getting sick when visiting New York City this winter.