How to Stay Healthy While Flying

Whether you’re flying for business, leisure, or any other reason, it’s important to know how to stay healthy while traveling.

There are inherent risks that come with flying from one place to another like being cooped up with a lot of other people.

Also, sitting in the same spot for an extended period of time and spending a lengthy amount of time in conditions that are not natural make it hard to stay healthy.

These challenges can leave travelers open to illness and disease. But, if you know how to stay healthy while traveling, you can mitigate some of these potential health concerns and arrive in your destination energized to take on whatever you want to take on.

So you can be productive (or relaxed) on the other end of your trip, follow these tips for staying healthy while traveling.

Plan for Cabin Pressure

Many people don’t realize that when they’re up in a plane, the cruising altitude pressure is quite different than when on the ground.

Sometimes, the pressure makes people feel like they’re at about 8,000 feet (like being high up in the mountains). Oxygen is reduced in airplane cabins, which can labor breathing.

You can make the best of a stressful situation like this by staying calm and taking long, deep breaths as often as possible.

If you normally have difficulty breathing through your nose, make sure you bring some nasal decongestant with you to open up breathing channels as much as possible.

Counter Humidity

You’re going to experience diminished humidity when you fly. In fact, humidity is generally at levels below 25% in airplanes, in contrast to most places you’ll be in at home that are about 35% on average.

Low humidity means throats, eyes, and noses will likely be drier. Skin will sometimes be drier too when flying.

To combat that lack of moisture in the airplane, breathe easy when possible, drink water throughout your flight.

You can also carry a small container or lotion or salve to apply to your body as needed.

Stay Active

Periods of immobility can lead to blog clots developing in the legs or a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is sometimes called “economy-class syndrome.”

To counter situations that might cause poor blood flow in the legs, make sure your legs are moving throughout your flight.

Contract your muscles every now and then. Swing your legs back and forth, tap your feet, stand up occasionally, and even massage your feet and legs from time to time.

Eat Minimally

According to Ayurvedic principles, flying in the air parallels Vata, which is a constitution that makes digestion hard. In addition, Vata does not like dry or cold conditions.

When you want to eat on an airplane, it’s best to choose warm and nourishing foods because they decrease Vata.

Stay away from food that increases Vata like cold salads and ice water.

Opt for warm dishes, and ask for room temperature water, hot tea, or coffee to drink. Try to just eat what you need to so that you feel moderately full.

Boost Your Immune System

Airplane cabins are not known for being the cleanest places.

They’re usually cramped quarters with a lot of people in them, some of whom might have colds, flues, or other diseases. Also, the air circulation and ventilation on airplanes is not ideal.

It’s important for people who will be flying to boost their immune systems so that they’re ready to take on the stress of being in an airplane as well viruses and bacteria that may be on the plane.

You can strengthen your immune system before your flight by lowering your sugar intake, increasing your consumption of vitamin C-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, drinking lots of water, and getting enough sleep.

Give Stress the Boot

Sometimes, preparing for a flight becomes chaotic and crazy as one tries to deal with arranging air travel, keeping up with a regular schedule at home, and getting things in order for an extended time away.

All of this planning can be stressful, which can lead to a state of ill health.

As much as you may need to do to plan for your business trip, vacation, or other excursion, make sure you take it all in stride as much as you can and allow your body to relax through the whole thing.

Relaxation means a healthier body, which means that you’ll be better able to face the challenges of air travel.

These are just a few ways that you can stay healthy while traveling.

Other ideas include making sure you wash your hands in the airplane bathroom before eating, cleansing your armrests and eating tray with natural sanitizing wipes, and bringing a mask for your nose and mouth, in case you end up sitting by a sick person.