How do You Stay Healthy on Long Flight!
International travel has become more or less a prerequisite to building a career in any professional field and you will be spending a lot more time at airports, especially if you’re in a manager position and in charge of growing your company. Long flights can’t be avoided, so you might as well fully embrace the jetsetter lifestyle and adapt to it to thrive. No one is surprised to hear that airports are a breeding ground for bacteria and at the end of a never-ending flight, even the healthiest and most energetic among us require a weeklong vacation. This prompts the question – how do you remain fresh, healthy and energized flying eight hour or more?
Life in the air becomes almost cosy when you practice these six rules next time you fly!
Rule 1: Hydration, hydration, hydration!
People forget to drink water under the best of circumstances, but this is doubly true when you’re at the airport moving from line to line or already in the airplane awaiting the blessed moment of departure. Proper hydration not only eliminates unwanted side effects of dehydration like cotton mouth, headaches and dry skin, but also keeps your energy levels up and removes the feeling of fatigue that often accompanies long, international flights.
Pro tips: Install a water tracking app on your phone to remind you to drink water, if you’re on the really forgetful side. Reusable water bottles are the latest accessory for men and women (stay well hydrated and stop using plastic at the same time!). Do not drink alcohol or any caffeinated drinks on your flight.
Rule 2: Avoid heavy meals right before and during flights!
We all love carbs, but be mindful about what you consume, when and how much. Travel can have all sorts of strange effects on your digestion and you definitely don’t want to be stuck in a cramped airplane seat with indigestion. Keep food in moderate quantities on your business trip. Sitting with a belt won’t feel like you’re being sawn in half and leaning on fiber will maintain your regularity, if you’re prone to having problems. Flying is very stressful, so keep yourself in the best shape with a mindful diet on the day of your flight.
Pro tips: Resist the urge to snack all the time, especially if you’re having proper meals. Carbs also tend to make you tired, which can contribute to sleep irregularity and jet lag once you do land. Be kind on your digestive track.
Rule 3: Dress for Ultimate Comfort
Long flights mean that inadvertently you’re going to fall asleep, so travel in an outfit that makes it easier to fall asleep or sit in a sitting position for a long time. Airports don’t have strict dress codes so you have a lot of freedom to embrace a more casual, sporty look with clothing that’s soft, loose and stretches with you so that you’re comfortable. Also be aware that you may need accessories to help you sleep like a face mask, ear plugs and a neck pillow to give you all the chance to gather your strength. Any time spent napping is a time well spent.
Pro tips: Wear breathable shoes that are comfortable on your feet and embrace layering. This way you can add or remove clothing items based on how the temperature in the plane changes.
Rule 4: Keep the blood flowing with stretches
Blood circulation is one of the first victims during a long flight. It may start as early as checking-in, if you’re experiencing a flight delay. You want blood to oxygenize your limbs at all times, so regular stretch routines will help you stay fresh and limber during a long flight or waiting time in between flights. Not only that but you take care of your joints and prevent stiffness and needles in your extremities.
Pro tips: Use your walk to and from the bathroom onboard to stretch.
Rule 5: Do not forget about personal hygiene
The last thing anyone wants is to emerge after an international flight sick. Being sick in a foreign country is, to mildly put it, one of the most vulnerable and unpleasant experiences. This is why it’s in your best interest to maintain impeccable hygiene during travel. The hands should be the main focus as they’re the ones that pick up germs the most. Wash them every time when you’ve gone to bathroom, but take extra time and effort to scrub clean. In other situations, it’s best to keep close either moist toilettes or hand sanitizer.
Pro tips: Whether you’re a man or a woman, you should also pay attention to your face. It collects all sorts of grime and gunk. Not to mention how airplane air dries the skin and makes it irritable. Put in some effort to wash your face every once in a while to soothe the skin with a face wipe. Not only do you clean the skin, but also secure additional comfort.
Rule 6: How to deal with Time zone differences
Jet lag is the single worst aspect of long international flights, but they’re an unavoidable part of a business trip. The way you deal with it is entirely up to you. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, because it’s day where you came from, then you should tire yourself out. Go out for a long walk or get an intense workout in the hotel gym if possible. Not sporty? Simple. Turn off all lights hour or so before going to bed and take melatonin. It’s crucial to embrace what the new day cycle is. The same advice applies for when you’re feeling asleep during the day. Head out into the sun for a good dose of Vitamin D and interrupt the production of melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy.
Pro tips: Set your watch to the new time zone as soon as you land. This way you trick your brain into adopting the new time. Another great strategy is to also keep consistent waking and falling asleep times to aid your brain into the transition to a new time zone.
