I have spent a fair amount of time on planes for business. I get to go to some great places and luckily I’m one of those that genuinely look forward to flying… but some of the long haul flights can leave you feeling less human, more like a piglet-faced, rhino-footed, pot-bellied swamp monster. Or maybe that’s just me?!
Anyway, if you do feel even vaguely gross on a plane sometimes – here are my tried and tested tips on healthy living up in the air so you can arrive at your destination feeling a bit fresher!
1. Create a little (see through) bag of mini moisturisers
A combo of cabin pressure and lowered humidity mean that flying does your skin no good at all and you will end up with dry, dehydrated skin if you don’t take preventative action. I keep all the little testers I get… sachets, mini bottles basically anything little. As you know you can only take 100ml onto the plane so mini pots and sachets are perfect. In my clear plastic bag (it has to be a see -through bag, more regulations) I keep a mini facial spritz, lip balm, face moisturiser, body moisturiser and an eye cream. I take them out every now and again and cover myself. If the person next to you looks at you strangely just remember you are going to be in better condition than them at the end of this journey.
Remember: If you have sensitive skin, decant products you know into small containers…. (20cm x 20cm is the limit) It isn’t going to make for a nice relaxing flight if you have a reaction to a product you have never used before!
2. Flight socks
I don’t need to explain DVT or it’s connection to flying; it is well documented so don’t miss out on easy preventative steps that are readily available… you can even grab flight socks at the airport. They will also help the swelling and aching you can get in your feet and legs so it is definitely worth it… no one wants the reason they are wearing flip flops to be that their elephant feet won’t fit back in their shoes.
3. Buy a big bottle of water after you’ve been through airport security
Numerous times I have forgotten you can’t take water through and desperately downed a bottle of water in the security queue…. Not ideal. Get it on the other side and you will have no problems. Yes, you get water on the plane but little plastic cups full of it, not proper amounts; keeping hydrated is important and I guarantee you will get thirsty at the most awkward time – when there is no air hostess around to help and the dude in the aisle seat next to you is snoring.
4. Take a healthy snack with you
You’re half way through a long haul… you have watched 2 movies, attempted to sleep, read some of your book and the boredom munchies are creeping up on you… I have been known to scavenge around the back of the plane for any extra bags of those horrible mini pretzels or basically anything they have to offer. Desperate times! If you have a little protein snack bar with you, you are saving yourself in more ways than one…. excess salt and dignity.
5. Vitamins
Plane food is a whole other blog post but I am trying to give easy fix ideas, so pop a sachet of vitamins in your bag and make sure you get that in you at some stage. You may already have a supplement regime, if so make sure you have those but some good vitamin C boosts, extra vitamins and minerals will give you a good dose and help keep the infamous plane germs from getting you.
Leave a Reply