Avoid the discomfort of travelling by plane and enjoy the flight

Spending long hours on a plane, for business or pleasure, can cause certain discomfort, such as tiredness, heaviness, indigestion, swelling, etc.

Follow this advice for a more pleasant trip.

1. Be careful how you dress. Do not wear tight-fitting clothes because you are going to be sitting for many hours. Try and take a jersey or a jacket with you, even though it is summertime, something that you can put on easily as you may feel cold because of the air conditioning.
2. Proper footwear. For long trips, you are recommended to remove your shoes and wear comfortable trainers. Remember that it is normal for your feet to swell a little due to changes in altitude and if your boots or shoes are tight-fitting, you will have trouble getting them back on.
3. In transatlantic flights, sleeping is a great option to help pass the time. However, it’s not easy to sleep in a seat, surrounded by noise and light. Use ear plugs and a mask if you need to rest and cover yourself up with a blanket if it’s possible, so that you don’t feel cold. Try and rest for at least an hour. It will help have some energy when you reach your destination.
4. Food. Ask for a special menu if you have particular diet requirements. Airplane meals are not normally very tasty (and your taste buds are dulled) but they do comply with safety and hygiene standards. What’s more, it will help you pass the time, and if you feel sick, chewing and salivating will help. Have complex carbohydrates to avoid hypoglycaemia (bread, pasta and rice…) and, if you feel very queasy, have something sweet like a juice or candy.
5. Fluid retention. Altitude and pressure make your ankles, legs and belly swell and you feel bloated. Drink a lot of water, not fizzy, fruit juice and leafy vegetables. A cup of tea or an infusion will also help. You will need to go to the toilet but it will help you feel lighter. Do not take salty foods, like nuts or savoury snacks.
6. Difficult digestion. At over 10,000 metres high, intestinal mobility slows down, there is an increase in gas and a reduction in the secretion of juices. To help digestion, avoid heavy and greasy foods before getting on the plane and during the flight. Have something light, like a sandwich, or a salad. Avoid vegetables that cause gas such as artichokes, cabbage or peppers. Instead of coffee, have digestive infusions like thyme, anise, camomile and some probiotic food that you can take before the flight, like a bifid yoghourt.
7. Fear. Fear of flying is irrational but it exists and is very hard when you are obliged to fly on business. Ask your doctor for help and don’t be afraid to take a pill to help you relax, or even sleep during the flight, if your doctor prescribes it. You will feel much better.
8. Get over jet lag. If the flight is long and you cross many meridians, you will suffer from the famous jet lag, because your body’s circadian rhythms, i.e. your biological clock, will have to adapt to the change in light and the hour. To minimise the effects, moisturise well, change your watch to the new time as soon as possible and rest on the plane.  Once at your destination, be guided by sunlight and try to sleep at night in order to adapt more quickly.

          Follow this advice and enjoy the trip

This post is also available in: Spanish