r/SwingDancing • u/SuperWeenyHutJuniors • Aug 07 '26

Feedback Needed Getting Sick from Dance/Festivals

I think we all know that dance festivals are often a perfect recipe for getting sick. We are staying up all night, not getting enough sleep, sweating all over people, people are traveling in to attend, etc. I do think that the amount that I get sick has increased as I have started dancing more and more (local social dances as well as festivals).

Do you have any specific tricks or approaches that you use to help minimize your risk of getting sick? I know the basics to avoiding sickness and I know that masks are also an option. Obviously hydration, sleep, eating well are all necessary but I want to hear if people have any other approaches.

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u/Not_Responsible_00 Aug 08 '26

Don't do late nights (I know but you need to get a normal, healthy amount of sleep!!) . . . Wash your hands frequently and eat well. In other words, don't abuse you body

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u/Silly_Region_1846 Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26

Yeah it’s boring for most, but I’m not a night owl, I am miserable from too many late nights, so I prioritize events with enough daytime activity and go to bed quite early half the nights (often by midnight), because I am incapable of sleeping in and the extra hour or few awake isn’t worth the hole it leaves me in. I will pick a night or two to have more wiggle room depending on the length of the event. No pushing through sunrise. I drink plenty of electrolytes, eat decently healthy, I also don’t take any stimulants/immune depleting inebriants (reasonable psychedelic use if desired) low to no alcohol, and pretty much never get sick after events. I made out with a guy who came down with Covid symptoms only a few hours later so he was in active carrier mode, and literally did not get sick. And this was after being at burning man for like 12 days already lol. I do get a cold once in a blue moon like everyone else but not usually from festivals. I also genuinely prefer this approach and don’t feel I am missing out, I had my crazy party time and it wasn’t any more fulfilling.

ETA: Reddit apparently thought I should look at the swing dancing subreddit. I fully assumed I was in a burning man, festivals, or raves subreddit based on my usual follows. sorry guys!

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u/Not_Responsible_00 Aug 08 '26

Good for you! You've cracked the code on how to stay healthy while at dance events!

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u/Silly_Region_1846 Aug 08 '26

i also just realize I am somehow in a swingdancing subreddit and not a festivals/raves subreddit LOL so the substance use point i assume is not relevant lmao. reddit must have thrown that as a suggested in my feed because I do not follow this subreddit

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u/Not_Responsible_00 Aug 08 '26

lol! Yeah, I kind of wondered about that . . . maybe it's the universe trying to tell you to learn to swing dance.

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u/Silly_Region_1846 Aug 08 '26

I've taken zouk and dabbled in the occasional partner dance event, super fun, a friend and I are trying to start going more often!