Long distance flights
With the advent of affordable long-haul travel, many will have experienced the potential trauma associated with long distance flights. However, there are many ways and means to alleviate the evils of boredom and stiffness and land at your destination re-freshed and upbeat.
1. Hydrate
One of the most severe problems you will encounter on long-haul flights is dehydration. The atmosphere within the cabin is usually extremely dry and you might find that your skin, mouth and eyes feel itchy and dry. Drinking alcohol or coffee will only serve to further dehydrate you, making you feel tired, irritable and causing headaches as well as complicating your sleeping pattern ahead of jetlag setting in. Make sure that you drink lots of caffeine-free liquid such as water, fruit juice or caffeine-free soft drinks, therefore. If your airline doesn`t appear to be serving you as much as you need, ask for some complimentary water whenever you need it. In a similar vein, you can use lip balm for dry lips and moisturising eye drops to combat dehydration of your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, it is a good idea to take them out before the flight to avoid irritation. Avoid make-up and be sure to moisturise your face and hands.
2. Bring food
If airline food doesn`t tend to sit well with you, be sure to bring some fruit in small bite-sized chunks. Fruit is easy to digest and will also help to keep you hydrated. In reality, you should bring whatever you might like to eat, so long as it is practical. You never know what the airline chooses to serve you and 16 hours on Melbourne flights without eating is not the most pleasant experience imaginable.
3. Walk around
Another common issue on flights is stiffness of joints and general physical discomfort. Whether or not you have chronic health concerns, make sure to walk around the plane at least once every few hours and even try and stretch so far as this is possible in the confined space. Even doing a few squats or bending over to stretch the back of your legs will help improve your circulation and reduce cramps and other aches and pains. If you can`t get up out of your seat at any time, there are exercises you can do from a seating position. Even shaking out your legs and feet and pumping your toes up and down will make you feel instantly better, as will arching your back and lifting your arms above your head.
Spending hours in a seated position can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to kick in Recent research has proved that this is far less likely to happen if you take an aspirin pill before takeoff, as this has the effect of thinning the blood and so reducing the chances of a blood clot forming. Alternatively, you can wear compression socks.
4. Prepare how to pass the time
Do not expect to be entertained for the entire flight. Bring books, crosswords, games, music. If you are a social person and easily bored, it will always be wise to attempt to get on good terms with your neighbours. If, however, you prefer to be left alone, it pays to bring those items necessary to ensure total sensory deprivation: headphones, a sleeping mask and an inflatable pillow. If you are on a night flight, or are preparing for the onslaught of jetlag, a few hours of restful sleep will work wonders. Bring a horseshoe-shaped inflatable neck pillow, as this will allow you to position your head in any way you like, improving your chances of deep and undisturbed sleep.
5. Dress sensibly
As anyone with experience of long flights will confirm, the cabin temperature is extremely unpredictable. Come well equipped with a sweatshirt or even a blanket. Finally, unless you are headed straight into a business meeting or to a wedding on arrival, forget glamour and dress comfortably in loosely fitting clothes and take off your shoes as soon as you sit down.
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