Top tips for getting through those long overnight flights.
Throughout my career I have been fortunate enough to spend many hours travelling on aircraft and I understand how difficult it can be getting through those long overnight flights.
I have tried countless tricks to help make the journey as comfortable as possible and whittled it down to these top 10 tips:
1. Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic and, along with the dry atmosphere on the aeroplane, you can become dehydrated very quickly, causing headaches. Instead, Make sure to drink lots of water. Take an empty water bottle with you and fill it up in the airport before you board. A reusable bottle will also be useful on your travels instead of buying bottled water. I recommend a filtering bottle which can be used in countries where the tap water is not drinkable.
2. Keep your Routine
If you normally brush your teeth, take off your make-up and put on something comfy before you go to sleep, then why change this? Just before you try and rest, go to the washroom and do the same routine as you would normally do. Trick your mind into thinking that it is a normal night and this may help relax the body before you sleep.
3. Set your watch
When you board the flight, set your watch to destination time. This will help save confusion once you land and mentally prepare you for the time zone you are going on to. Some smartphones will automatically change once you turn your phone off airplane mode in the destination country but be sure to check this out before you fly.
4. Use the Bathroom
Make sure you take the time to stretch your legs. Just by walking to and from the bathroom, you will allow your body to increase circulation to the extremities, helping prevent blood from pooling and muscles from cramping. While standing in a queue, take time to rock back and forward on your feet to stretch out any tightness.
5. Apply Moisturiser
As I already mentioned, it is much drier on the aeroplane than on the ground. Look after your skin by applying moisturiser and lip balm throughout the flight. This is especially important if you have been somewhere hot and your skin has had a lot of sun!
6. Wear Earplugs, Eye mask and socks
The first two may be fairly obvious, cutting out light and sounds to help you get some well-needed rest. The socks however are because you will be sat in one position for a long time and this lack of movement can increase the risk of you developing blood clots/ DVT. You can buy specialised DVT socks online. These socks will feel quite tight around your feet and calves, however it’s this compression which helps push the blood back up towards the heart, reducing the risk of it pooling and clotting.
7. Do Some Yoga
I’m not talking about doing downward facing dog in the aisle! Gentle neck exercises and twisting in your seat may help stretch out the body. Try moving your ankles and wrists in circles and spread your toes out.
If you can do breathing exercises, these are a great way to relax the body. Here’s one of my favourites:
Nada Shohadana technique: Use your thumb and index finger on your right hand. With your thumb, cover your right nostril and inhale slowly through the left nostril. Cover the left nostril with your index finger (both are now covered). Hold your breath for a few seconds. Remove your thumb and exhale from your right nostril (still covering the left).
Inhale back through the right nostril and close both nostrils again. Finally remove your index finger and exhale through the left nostril.
8. Listen to Soft Music
Easy listening music (particularly songs without words) can ease the mind and help you sleep. Try to not listen to energetic music or watch an exciting film just before you close your eyes as your brain will still be active. Some airlines provide a music channel especially for this. For example, British Airways have teamed up with ‘Calm’ to play their Calm: Sleep stories. These are a compilation of sounds, stories and meditation practices for you to relax to.
See https://www.calm.com/lp/start-6/ for more details.
9. Suck a Boiled Sweet
Sweets, or hard mints, that you can suck on will really help those who suffer with ear blockages in the descent (and sometimes ascent). As you suck on the sweet, it will cause you to swallow more, which will help to equal the air pressure in and outside of the ear. If you have forgotten these then try forcing yourself to yawn, or another great way to equalise the pressure is the Valsalva manoeuvre. Blow out gently while pinching your nose and with your mouth closed.
10. Change your Underwear
Don’t laugh. This would probably be my best recommendation. When you wake up and you are at the end of your journey, go to the washroom and freshen up. Brush your teeth and hair, wipe your face and change your underwear. You will get off the flight feeling like it is a brand new day!
Happy Travels!
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