Okay, let’s talk about those long flights. Honestly, they can really mess you up if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way after a particularly rough trip a few years back, felt like a zombie for days. Since then, I’ve gotten my routine down pretty solid.
Before I Even Leave Home
It really starts the day before. I make sure to get decent sleep. Sounds obvious, right? But it’s easy to get caught up in last-minute packing or pre-travel jitters. I force myself to wind down early.
Packing my carry-on is key. I always, always pack an empty reusable water bottle. Gotta fill it up after security, of course. Those little cups they give you on the plane? Forget about it. I also throw in some healthy snacks – nuts, maybe some fruit, something that won’t make me feel bloated. Plane food is usually loaded with salt.
Comfort is huge. I wear loose-fitting clothes, layers are good ’cause cabin temperatures are all over the place. And compression socks! Yeah, they might look a bit silly, but trust me, they make a difference with swelling. I put them on before I even get to the airport sometimes.
Once I’m Onboard
First thing I do is find my seat and get organized. Neck pillow, eye mask, earplugs – get them handy so I’m not rummaging around later. Then, I start sipping water right away. Keep that bottle full whenever the flight attendants come around or fill it myself in the galley if they let me.
I try to avoid too much caffeine or alcohol. Booze might seem like it helps you sleep, but it dehydrates you fast and the sleep quality is terrible. I learned that lesson. Stick to water, maybe some juice.
Movement is critical. Seriously. Sitting for that long is just bad news. I make it a point to get up every hour or two. Walk up and down the aisle, do some simple stretches in the galley area if there’s space. Even just doing foot pumps and ankle circles while seated helps keep the blood flowing. That’s where those compression socks pull their weight too.
- Get up and walk around often.
- Do stretches in my seat: neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, ankle circles.
- Stay hydrated constantly.
When it’s time to rest, I use the eye mask and earplugs. Block out the light and noise as much as possible. It’s never perfect sleep on a plane, but grabbing even a few hours helps fight off the worst of the jet lag.
After Landing
Once I land, I try to get outside into the daylight as soon as I can. Helps reset the body clock. Keep drinking water. Maybe do some light walking around, nothing too strenuous. Just get the body moving gently after being cramped up for so long.
It sounds like a lot, maybe, but these are just small things I started doing one by one. Now it’s just habit. And honestly? It makes a world of difference. I arrive feeling way more human and ready to actually enjoy where I’ve landed, instead of feeling like I’ve gone ten rounds in a boxing ring.
