How to Stay Healthy on Lengthy Flights

From lack of air circulation to pathogens and dehydration, you might encounter a wide range of health risks when traveling long flights, which can be a real pain for you and your body. Especially if you’re that kind of person who feels uneasy sitting still for at least an hour, long-haul flights can be overwhelming and stressful! Tea_ceremony_China

Just imagining sitting still and doing nothing can make you feel jittery and anxious, which is also why you must drink herbal tea to relax your senses and calm your mind. For more tips on how to stay healthy on long flights, keep reading the following to prepare for that day – especially if planning to travel around the world.

Preparing for the long-haul flight

Choosing the aircraft types and flight time is essential for a big difference on your trip. Firstly, consider flying convenient hours. For example, you might want to avoid 4 am departures and arrivals because it can be tiring.

If possible, choose the latest generation aircrafts, which can cruise at high altitudes. For comfort, aircraft cabins are pressurized usually at an altitude up to 8,000 feet. But new aircrafts, such as Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, are cabin-pressurized at a lower end.

Aside from mitigating altitude effects, these new aircrafts also have quieter engines to make you feel comfortable. So if possible, choose a premium flight.

Keeping the jitters at bay

For people who getting their hands bored, they feel jittery. To prevent it from happening, do not drink coffee because it keeps you awake on your journey and stimulates your brain, making it restless.

Instead of coffee, drink herbal teas to help you relax.

Speaking of relaxing, be sure that you’re relaxed before boarding and focus on it. For tips, arrive early so that you can have more time to sit in the waiting lounge and check in.

Additionally, you should listen to some meditation audios, which also get rid of any jitter.

Staying active

Deep vein thrombosis or leg clots are common in long flights. Many also call it the economy class syndrome, which is often due to long flights putting you in a situation where there is too much immobility.

This alone puts you at risk of DVT – especially that the legroom is cramped. To prevent it from happening, make sure your muscles are contracting and your legs are moving.

You can also stretch and walk down the aisles before boarding. Alternatively, you should wear compression socks, which prevent swelling and promote blood circulation.

Preventing viruses, bacteria and germs

Airplanes are filled with airborne pathogens and surfaces with bacteria and germs.

When preparing for your flight, don’t forget carrying sanitizing wipes so that you can disinfect the seatbelt, armrests, tray table and seat.

A part of preventing airplane diseases, you should be updated on your vaccines before flying so that you can build your immunity. And for international travel, you must ask your doctor for required or recommended vaccines as well.

You should also keep your hands clean and ensure they’re away from your face. Use a hand sanitizer after touching a surface before drinking or eating.

Hydrating

Dehydration is another issue linked with international travel. It can weaken your immune system, worsen your jet lag symptoms and disrupt your sleep.

You should avoid alcoholic and sugary beverages, but drink herbal teas aside from plenty of water.

Drinking it is a great way to replenish fluid intake and hydrate your cells better than coffee does. You will find it great regarding replacing lost fluids due to sweating as well.

Using air circulation

The air from the vent can be adjusted. Set it to medium to prevent any bacteria from settling into your space.

Eating well

As much as possible, avoid airline food. Try salads, which are filling and delicious. You may also want to bring some cucumbers, carrots, avocado as well as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for the dressing.

Long flights are really stressful and punishing for you – emotionally, mentally and physically, but using some tips and tricks shared above, you can get by and stay healthy on a long-haul flight.

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