My little trip to ''Sin City'' got me thinking about what our body has to go through while being up in the air. Dry skin and eyes, clogged ears, germs and jet lag are only a couple of stress factors our immune system has to deal with.
Here are some tips on how to stay healthy while traveling:
Drink, drink, drink!
Staying hydrated is key.
Drink plenty of water throughout the flight. Stay away from alcohol, coffee and tea. Don't worry if you have to keep getting up to go to the lavatory - the exercise might help prevent deep-vein thromboses.
We usually feel most comfortable when the humidity in the air around us is about 40 to 70 per cent. In an aircraft cabin it falls to about 20 per cent. It is common to suffer from dry eyes (which can cause serious problems for contact-lens wearers) and a sore or dry throat and nose. This dryness is often uncomfortable, but it might also make you more prone to infections. So drink up!
Eat light!
Remember our body uses 70 percent or more of our energy for digestion. Don't eat big meals, so your body can focus on keeping you healthy during a flight.
Eat light before arriving at the airport. You’ll need energy when dealing with long check-in lines and security and will want to avoid the airport’s fast food options. Load up on fruits and veggies. These types of foods will help you avoid dehydration.
You can bring light snacks in your carry-on, like a homemade cereal bar, made out of oats, dates and nuts or grab some fruit like bananas and oranges. These healthy snacks are easy to carry and are perfect in a hunger pinch. Make sure you don't over eat or gorge on rich foods before your flight. A bloated tummy in a pressurized airplane cabin isn’t something you want to deal with on vacation.
Once again-drink plenty of water before and during your flight.
Move around!
This is the biggest issue for most travellers. Apart from the sheer discomfort of minimal legroom - cramps, neck cricks and so on - long periods of immobility lead to a higher risk of DVT, and the risks may be greater at lower pressure.
DVT occurs when blood in the lower leg flows sluggishly and eventually clots, causing pain and swelling in the short term and a risk of sudden death from clots reaching the heart or lungs.
- Buy as much legroom as you can afford- especially on long distance flights.
- Wear comfortable, non-restricting clothes.
- Get up and walk around the cabin at least once every hour and exercise in your seat by alternately tensing and relaxing your calf muscles.
-Avoid crossing your legs, or keeping the same position for a prolonged period.
-Stretch as much as possible.
Sleep!
Get as much sleep as you can before your trip and while on the airplane. Being exhausted and stressed weakens your immune system, making you more prone to infections. Don't stress out about any delays that may occur - life is to short and you will get to your destination sooner or later but you will be way more relaxed.
Use a neti pot before departure!
The air at altitudes of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where most commercial airlines fly, is extremely dry, and the recirculation systems used in airplane cabins dry the air out even more. The lack of humidity sucks moisture from the tissues of the nose and mouth, compromising the body's natural defense system. And if you're already congested from allergies or a cold, the problem is even more acute.
Neti pot or other nasal irrigation devices, alleviate congestion, facial pain and pressure.
You can also get a natural nose spray to keep the nose from drying out during the flight
This one is a great alternative to chemical nose sprays!
Germs-Awwww
I think germs are overrated. Our body has an amazing ability to fight them , but with your immune system already compromised and an airport full of people better save than sorry!
Airplanes seem to be the breeding ground for many viruses, in part because so many people are confined to such close quarters and viruses thrive in a dry environment like the one on an airplane.
One of the simplest ways to avoid germs on a plane flight is to follow your mother's advice: wash your hands! Wash your hands with warm to hot water and soap, lathering and scrubbing for at least thirty seconds. If you are washing your hands in the airplane restroom, make sure that you open the door with a paper towel upon exit, because not everyone is likely to be quite so conscientious!
Another important factor when trying to avoid germs on a plane flight is to keep your hands away from your face. If you touch the tray table, the armrest, or the magazine, you are essentially touching everyone who has touched these things before you. You absolutely do not want to put your fingers in your mouth or rub your eyes or nose after this — at least not until you wash your hands thoroughly.
Happy Traveling
Love and Cookies
Jennifer
Here are some tips on how to stay healthy while traveling:
Drink, drink, drink!
Staying hydrated is key.
Drink plenty of water throughout the flight. Stay away from alcohol, coffee and tea. Don't worry if you have to keep getting up to go to the lavatory - the exercise might help prevent deep-vein thromboses.
We usually feel most comfortable when the humidity in the air around us is about 40 to 70 per cent. In an aircraft cabin it falls to about 20 per cent. It is common to suffer from dry eyes (which can cause serious problems for contact-lens wearers) and a sore or dry throat and nose. This dryness is often uncomfortable, but it might also make you more prone to infections. So drink up!
Eat light!
Remember our body uses 70 percent or more of our energy for digestion. Don't eat big meals, so your body can focus on keeping you healthy during a flight.
Eat light before arriving at the airport. You’ll need energy when dealing with long check-in lines and security and will want to avoid the airport’s fast food options. Load up on fruits and veggies. These types of foods will help you avoid dehydration.
You can bring light snacks in your carry-on, like a homemade cereal bar, made out of oats, dates and nuts or grab some fruit like bananas and oranges. These healthy snacks are easy to carry and are perfect in a hunger pinch. Make sure you don't over eat or gorge on rich foods before your flight. A bloated tummy in a pressurized airplane cabin isn’t something you want to deal with on vacation.
Once again-drink plenty of water before and during your flight.
Move around!
This is the biggest issue for most travellers. Apart from the sheer discomfort of minimal legroom - cramps, neck cricks and so on - long periods of immobility lead to a higher risk of DVT, and the risks may be greater at lower pressure.
DVT occurs when blood in the lower leg flows sluggishly and eventually clots, causing pain and swelling in the short term and a risk of sudden death from clots reaching the heart or lungs.
- Buy as much legroom as you can afford- especially on long distance flights.
- Wear comfortable, non-restricting clothes.
- Get up and walk around the cabin at least once every hour and exercise in your seat by alternately tensing and relaxing your calf muscles.
-Avoid crossing your legs, or keeping the same position for a prolonged period.
-Stretch as much as possible.
Sleep!
Get as much sleep as you can before your trip and while on the airplane. Being exhausted and stressed weakens your immune system, making you more prone to infections. Don't stress out about any delays that may occur - life is to short and you will get to your destination sooner or later but you will be way more relaxed.
Use a neti pot before departure!
The air at altitudes of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where most commercial airlines fly, is extremely dry, and the recirculation systems used in airplane cabins dry the air out even more. The lack of humidity sucks moisture from the tissues of the nose and mouth, compromising the body's natural defense system. And if you're already congested from allergies or a cold, the problem is even more acute.
Neti pot or other nasal irrigation devices, alleviate congestion, facial pain and pressure.
You can also get a natural nose spray to keep the nose from drying out during the flight
This one is a great alternative to chemical nose sprays!
Germs-Awwww
I think germs are overrated. Our body has an amazing ability to fight them , but with your immune system already compromised and an airport full of people better save than sorry!
Airplanes seem to be the breeding ground for many viruses, in part because so many people are confined to such close quarters and viruses thrive in a dry environment like the one on an airplane.
One of the simplest ways to avoid germs on a plane flight is to follow your mother's advice: wash your hands! Wash your hands with warm to hot water and soap, lathering and scrubbing for at least thirty seconds. If you are washing your hands in the airplane restroom, make sure that you open the door with a paper towel upon exit, because not everyone is likely to be quite so conscientious!
Another important factor when trying to avoid germs on a plane flight is to keep your hands away from your face. If you touch the tray table, the armrest, or the magazine, you are essentially touching everyone who has touched these things before you. You absolutely do not want to put your fingers in your mouth or rub your eyes or nose after this — at least not until you wash your hands thoroughly.
Happy Traveling
Love and Cookies
Jennifer
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