Staying healthy when you fly is easier than you think, says Raul Dias who shows you how to combat jet lag, DVT and other flight-induced maladies, leaving you invigorated to enjoy the rest of your trip
Let’s face it! Not all of us belong to that privileged set of fliers who traipse around the world firmly ensconced in the cool, soothing confines of a first class cabin with comfortable seats that transform into flat beds at the touch of a button and other assorted pampering devices. Think cramped, overcrowded economy class cabins with dry air, screaming babies and you’ll get my drift. And as a travel writer constantly on the go, I’ve had my fair share of all of the above multiplied by a 100!! But yet, I’ve survived it all by relying on what I call a mixture of commonsense and a little extra something called experience.
First things first, you need to prepare for your flight even before you step foot inside the aircraft. After checking with your doctor, make sure you load up on the vitamins before you board. Fresh air is a foreign concept on flights, and in such confined quarters you may be susceptible to air-borne infections or diseases. And remember one cardinal tenet. Keep all vital medications with you on board. Ask for your doctor to issue extra prescriptions if the medications are essential to your health.
Once on board, do try and stay off the booze and drink plenty of water. At 30,000 feet the air is very dry as well as being repeatedly recycled, and alcohol, which has its diuretic effects, can be much more potent. Either compensate with more water, or reduce alcoholic intake. Otherwise, headaches and bloating may become your unwelcome travel partners. And moreover, alcohol consumption is also the number one cause of the dreaded jet lag.
Another thing to do when on board is to stretch. Never mind how silly you may look doing lunges and hamstring stretches in the middle of the aisle, stretching pays off in the long run. Not only will it help keep the blood flowing, but it will alleviate the cramping and pains that come from sitting for an extended period of time as well as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Move around the cabin every once in a while, see if there are pockets of air on the flight that seem fresher than the air around your seating area.
And now for the all important aspect of flying--the nosh. A number of foods served in-flight are laden with sugar, or have a ‘heavy’ feeling to them. Because such foods can cause fluctuations in blood sugar and leave you feeling bloated, flatulent and achy, be wary of them. Sometimes toting your own carbohydrate-rich snacks (like granola nutri bars) can make sure you feel at least somewhat the same when you disembark as when you boarded your flight.
Adjusting as quickly as possible to the time zone of your destination during your flight is another way of combating the ill-effects of jet lag. This means eating at meal times that correspond with those at your destination and also sleeping accordingly. I cannot stress the importance of a proper nap on board. Use the airline blanket and pillow (be sure to claim a set before taking your seat), and sweater and socks to swaddle yourself. Fasten seatbelt loosely outside blanket; otherwise, in the event of turbulence, flight attendants may wake you to request that you buckle up. Position the airline pillow behind your head, and if you are lucky to get another pillow, in the small of your back near the lumbar region. Also placing a moistened handkerchief over your nose helps a lot as does keeping a bottle of drinking water within reach to sip from and to re-moisten your handkerchief during intermittent awakenings.
But the best tip of all is to enjoy your flight and not moan about how much you miss your bed. Get this straight! Your miserable airline seat can never and will never be as comfortable as your bed, so accept that fact and look forward to the trip ahead…
(First published in the January 2011 issue of Shout magazine)
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