Keeping healthy while flying

The definition of a long haul flight is seven hours or more but for many people a shorter flight can prove just as uncomfortable. This guide will provide you with tips to help you keep healthy on your next flight, after all, you want to arrive at your destination relaxed.

Upgrade for comfort

The first thing to consider is your simple comfort level, if you can afford it, or if you have a medical condition or some other physical problem flying either premium economy or first class may be the solution that you are looking for. 

Flight exercises to keep mobile

The most likely health complaint you will have after flying will be simple aches, pains, and cramps. Not exactly, life threatening but best avoided if possible. One of the best solutions for these complaints is to move around the cabin whenever practical. 

When you unable to move around, try to do exercises whilst sat in your seat, curling and un-curling your toes, and constantly changing the position of your legs and simply stretching your back and arms. Move your legs in a walk motion to aid against deep vein thrombosis.

Drink plenty of water

The next minor threat is dehydration, the pressurised atmosphere within the aircraft causes high levels of dehydration even though you may not feel hot or even feel like you are sweating. The inside of an aircraft at altitude has 5% less humidity than that of a desert.

Drinking lots of regular water is the best solution; alcohol should definitely be avoided, as its dehydrating effects are far stronger at altitude. 

Tips for a sleepy flight

Another good way to shorten a long haul flight is to sleep, sleeping tablets that allow you an eight-hour rest will not only have the effect of shortening the journey but also assist in allowing you to arrive refreshed and relaxed.

There are a few more items you can pack to help; ear plugs and eye masks will help you sleep. And those inflatable collars that wrap around your neck can be highly effective in keeping you comfortable and allowing you to sleep.

Combating Deep Vein Thrombosis

A more serious health problem on flights is deep vein thrombosis. Not being able to move your legs around properly for long periods of time can cause problems with circulation and the results can be serious such as blood clots forming. Crossing your ankles should definitely be avoided.

There are special socks that are easy to say that will assist with circulation, but the easiest way to deal with it is to move around and exercise as mentioned earlier in this article. This problem is caused by lack of movement, so just keep your legs moving and you will not have a problem.

Dealing with Jetlag

The biggest draw back with long haul flights occurs after you land, jetlag. This is not an easy thing for many people to combat as your body struggles to deal with the midday sun when it thinks it is the middle of the night and you should be asleep.

Vitamins C is said to be highly effective in combating that general lethargic “jetlag” feeling. Again drink water and avoid alcohol, this will help combat jetlag effects. Sunshine gives your body vitamin D, which is effective against jetlag problems; in addition, it helps your body clock to be set more quickly.

Healthy flying resources

» Avoid getting sick from flying
» Deep Vein Thrombosis symptoms and advice
» Advice when flying with kids
» Coping with Jetlag
» Health advice for travellers

Fight the body clock 

Another way to fight jetlag is to stay awake, if the time back home to 3am and the time at your destination is 6pm your body clock will tell you to sleep. This should be avoided, right from the very first day no matter how tired you are stay up until the local bedtime. 

Going to bed at the correct local time will mean that you will wake up in the morning at the correct local time; this is because you have pushed yourself to stay awake all those additional hours.