Travelling is fun, it is one of my favorite things do to. Some travel for work and some for entertainment. Irrespective of that flying has its own set of difficulties, it is dehydrating out there, the food is not exactly nutritious on the flight, you’re stuck to that sitting posture for a long time and so on. Here’s a little article to help you maintain your health, whether you’re traveling nearby or to a foreign country.
(p.s- a lot of these tips are written keeping in mind that the passenger plans to stay up during the flight)
Go germ-free: It unbelievable how everything from your airport escalator to the check-in counters, to your seats is covered with germs from all over the world. You are immune to some, while some are going to overpower your immunity and make you sick. So always have a sanitizer in your handbag, and use it frequently. You might also want to go ahead, put in a little more effort and clean your sitting area, the food trolley and hand rests using a wet wipe or an antibiotic spray.
Stay hydrated: The air onboard is super super dry, and WHO reports the humidity levels in airplane cabins to be less than 20%.( around 40-50% being the ideal). So the trick here is to have one cup or say 250 ml of water for every hour spent on the flight. Have warm water or cold however you prefer, but there is no getting around this.
Move around: This is applicable mainly for longer journeys, where you are stuck to your seat for hours, at that high pressure. It ain’t healthy. Get up once in two hours take a walk from the front to the back, use the washroom(you will need to if you’re drinking enough water). Also while booking choose an aisle seat, that way you won’t have to disturb others every time you wish to get up, and if you’re traveling business class, I am so jealous of you right now.
Stay warm: It can get quite chilly in there, so just have a jacket handy, wear it, use it as your blanket or just keep it in your lap and hide your hands in there for some warmth. Bonus tip: wear shoes for your travel, you won’t have to look around for socks if you remove your shoes and otherwise also they are just so comfortable.
Get your sleep cycle in sync with the destination: Technically this adjustment should happen well in advance but if you haven’t done it yet, no problem try and stay awake if it’s going to be daytime at your destination, with assistance of little coffee if required, or just go off sleep if it is night time. Have the sleeping gear in place should you need, a complete blackout eye mask, earbuds, a travel pillow, and obviously comfy clothes.
Watch your meals: The food that you find at the airports and the flight aren’t exactly the best and filthy expensive. Instead, grab some pre-packed snacks or fruits from home which will satisfy your hunger pangs while keeping you fit for the trip.
So yes its a lot of stuff to take care of, but once you are at the destination, try local cuisine, enjoy the culture, make new friends and have fun, you have earned it. Even if it is a work based trip, do try and enjoy a bit of local culture for lucky are the ones who are frequently hopping onto an airplane. And do share these tips with your loved ones, signing off, happy journey!!
