Long-haul flights can be incredibly difficult on the body due to the prolonged sitting and exposure to dry cabin air.
And the older you are, the more you will feel this. (A friend told me so! 😅) The lack of movement and change in air pressure can even lead to issues such as deep vein thrombosis.
To make things easier on ourselves, we need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine — these dehydrate you and disrupt sleep patterns. It's also a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Here are some other things travellers can do to ameliorate the effects of flying:
- Avoid heavy meals. They can make you feel sluggish and increase the risk of bloating and indigestion. Instead, choose foods that are high in protein, and opt for fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid salty and spicy foods, which can cause dehydration and worsen jet lag symptoms.
- Eat at the right time. Try to eat according to the local time at your destination to help reduce jet lag.
- Pack your own snacks. Bring your own healthy snacks such as nuts, fruits or veggies. Consider taking a probiotic, which can can help support your gut health during travel.
- Take ginger or peppermint. Ginger or peppermint tea, for example, can help with digestion and settling one's stomach.
- Take short breaks. Stand up and stretch your legs, arms and back. Use compression stockings to help prevent deep vein thrombosis.
- Move your seat to a comfortable position and use a travel pillow for added support. Also, did you know that the sides of the headrest bend up, so you can lean your head against it?
- Help yourself to sleep. Bring a sleep mask and earplugs to block out light and noise.
- Moisturize to keep your skin hydrated and to prevent dryness caused by the cabin air. Use a nasal spray to keep nasal passages moist and to prevent dryness and discomfort.
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