If
the idea of having yourself constricted to a narrow seat for 12 hours straight,
fighting restlessness, dehydration and lack of sleep seem like a big task
(which it is), here’s something to help you deal with all of that on a lighter
note.
Read
on to discover more than 5 super actionable tips and tricks to survive those
treacherous hours a bit more easily.
Take
your Own Snacks
Long
haul flights mean you’ll get fed, but don’t let that stop you from carrying
your own snacks- preferably healthy ones. Pick up energy bars, dried fruits and
nuts to munch on while you’re waiting for the rattle of the food trolley. Make
sure you choose snacks that give you that slow release of energy to prevent
those bouts of hunger when you’re up in the air.
Get
Gear-Wise
When
you’re boarding a long haul flight, make sure you’re all set with the necessary
gear. Everything from an eye mask, ear plugs and a neck pillow to your iPad,
Kindle or a couple of good books are an absolute must. Make sure you don’t go
overboard though- keep your carry on luggage to a minimal as much as you can-
you will thank yourself for it.
Slip
into Comfy Clothes
When
picking the outfit you’ll be traveling in, make comfort your priority. Choose
an outfit that you’ll feel comfortable while spending hours and hours on a
plane. Remember to layer yourself as well- things can get chilly when you’re
up. Closed toed shoes, a nice comfy t-shirt, sweatpants or comfortable jeans
and a light jacket should do the trick.
Stay
Hydrated
This
one’s a biggie that a good number of us tend to ignore. Make sure you stay
hydrated during the flight, and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as much as you
can. If you’re prone to dry skin, carrying a tube of moisturizer may be a good
idea- your skin needs all the care too.
Stretch
& Move
You’ll
be surprised at how much this little tip can help you! Keep the circulation in
your legs flowing by stretching for a bit every now and then, and moving around
in the plane if you can. You’ll definitely be at a much reduced risk of developing
deep vein thrombosis from all that constant sitting, and you’ll also end up
feeling more active once you’re off the plane.
Consider
a Sleep Aid
Getting
rest when on a flight is big for most people, and if you’re one of those,
consider getting a sleep aid. Remember that the efficacy of different sleep
aids vary from individual to individual, so even if you’re planning to take
one, make sure you have your doctor’s advice about it, and give it a go a
couple of times before your actual flight to see how it works for you.

Great tips! I always bring my own snacks, and usually a back up meal! I've had a time or two where they somehow ran out of my prereserved meals, and I couldn't eat anything they had available. Those were miserable flights!
ReplyDeleteI actually wish this was around when I took my first long flight from portland oregon to NYC. That was the worse flight ever and it's from all of the above...lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info
ReplyDeleteComfy clothes ... a definite must! I found that aside from super comfy headphones, almost all long flights have in seat entertainment systems, so bringing my own tech is a waste.
ReplyDeleteSome great ideas here, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info long flights can be a pain .
ReplyDeleteLast time I was in Georgia was for the Summer Olympics - it was lovely
ReplyDeleteComfy clothes and extra snacks are key!
ReplyDeleteAll great tips but will pass on the sleep aid~
ReplyDeleteI need all the advice I can get like this because I have anxiety and 3 kids with me and a husband that might as well be a child.
ReplyDeleteHaving comfortable clothing and snacks do help a lot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great tips.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I cant afford to take vacations, though I always dream of visiting family and learning about family history! As a child I've had a time or two where I had to travel for medical reasons, but they only had water to provide passengers. Those were the flights of the past - I hope one day to travel again!
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I have flown, but these are all good ideas for the future.
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed the flying part of traveling by air. My anxiety seems to come from the crowds.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great tips!
ReplyDelete