If you’re traveling for more than a couple of hours, it can be difficult to stay comfortable. With so much time on your hands, boredom is the last thing you want to deal with. Not only are long flights tiring, but they also have some other challenges that need to be considered. For example, dehydration caused by dry air or low humidity levels in the cabin; blood pressure spikes from sitting motionless for too long; neck pain from trying to sleep on an airplane pillow that’s not designed for use in flight – the list goes on. However, there are things you can do before boarding your flight that will make all these challenges easier!
Prevent headaches with some socks
The popping sensation in your ears, the blocked sinuses, the dull pain behind your eyes. . . if you want to avoid any of these symptoms, taking off your shoes and putting on compression socks will help increase circulation to offset the effects of low cabin pressure. Experts at socks from therawear.com.au/collections/compressions-socks claim that this technique will not only prevent headaches but also minimize the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is an awesome bonus.
Bring a thermal bottle and stay hydrated
When you fly, your body loses a lot of water due to dry air in the cabin and dehydration from being stuck in a relatively inactive position for an extended period. You can avoid this by drinking plenty of water before your flight, but that’s not all! If you want to be sure that there’s enough water in your system for the duration of your flight, you can buy a thermal bottle with a built-in filter. It’ll keep the water inside cold for 24 hours, so you can drink small amounts of it throughout the flight.
Plane sleeping kit
Getting some rest on a long-haul flight can be difficult. You’re stuck in the same position, and if you try to sleep without support, your head is going to bob around all night long. To make things easier for yourself, invest in a neck pillow with memory foam filling, a mask, and some earplugs.
Place the neck pillow under your regular pillow and position your head at a 45-degree angle. With this in place, you’ll avoid muscle stiffness and neck pain when you finally reach your destination.
If you wear glasses, wearing an eye mask will be uncomfortable, but it’s better than nothing. Earplugs are also essential, as the constant drone of airplane engines can take its toll on your concentration, leaving you feeling frazzled. With both items in tow, you’ll be able to quickly fall asleep in the dark and stay that way until your flight attendant wakes you up for breakfast.
Bring your documents and valuables
If you’re flying internationally, it’s important to keep your passport on hand for any customs check. Also, bring anything else that’s valuable or necessary, such as medications and travel documents so you don’t have to rummage through bags in the cargo hold if you need something while up in the air. Keep in mind that the overhead compartment space is limited, and you might need to take valuable items like your camera and tablet with you. If that’s not possible, keep it in a carry-on bag where you’re guaranteed to have access to it throughout the flight.
Don’t forget your essentials
Just as important as what you pack for your flight is what you pack in your carry-on bag. Remember that there is an upper weight limit to the carry-on depending on the airline. But a toothbrush, a razor, or a comb are all essentials that will help you feel better after a long flight. If you have time to spare at the airport, try to find a drugstore and pick up some other necessities like a face wash or moisturizer.
A little pampering goes a long way here! Also, bring those travel-sized toiletries from home so you can recreate your usual skincare routine as soon as possible after the flight.
Bring some entertainment, but don’t go overboard
It’s perfectly fine to bring something along to entertain yourself on the flight, just make sure that it isn’t going to be a big source of frustration if you can’t operate it. Using a tablet or smartphone is out of the question, so bring an old-fashioned book instead and enjoy some quiet time while up in the air. The same rules apply to listening to music – if you don’t mind having to use your own media player, you can play your favorite songs through the speakers in the seatback in front of you.
Try to follow these steps and even novice travelers to make their next trip more enjoyable and relaxing. With a little advanced preparation and the right items, your next long-haul flight will be less of a hassle.
Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
