There was a time when airline travel was a joyous adventure, the thrill of packing, the novelty of paper tickets, and the chance to spend a few hours in transit to end up half way across the country (or the world) made flying romantic and exciting. Due perhaps to experience, maturity, and the realities of a post-911 environment, airplane travel has become more stressful, more time-consuming, and less enjoyable overall. And then there are the side-effects of spending hours in cramped conditions, changing time zones, and breathing re-circulated air. Though efficient and relatively affordable, flying certainly takes a toll on one’s health. Long lines, heavy bags, general flight anxiety, and nutritionally deficient food choices all contribute to high stress levels, sore muscles, and overall lethargy, not exactly a great start to your vacation. Fortunately, with a bit of planning and organization, you can fly healthy, and start your trip feeling energized and relaxed, not frazzled and weary.
Pack Smart
You can’t control the lengths of the many lines you’ll be standing in just to get on the plane, but you can alleviate some stress by planning to check the heaviest items and carrying only what you need (cosmetics, medications, in-flight entertainment, etc.) with you. This will spare your shoulders and low back from the burdens of heavy luggage, particularly if you have to change planes en route. It will also lighten the load you carry through security. Remember to check (or leave at home) any sharp or otherwise ‘questionable’ items to avoid being searched at security stations, and mark bags clearly with your name and current address.
Stay Hydrated
Lack of fresh air on airplanes causes dehydration, so think ahead and bring extra bottled water with you. Registered Dietician Heather Jones recommends drinking a large cup of water for every hour en-route. In addition, she notes, “Alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing dehydration, ditto for coffee, therefore it’s best to limit intake of these substances while flying.” Cabin air takes its toll on skin, too, so pack a good travel-sized moisturizer and some lip balm in your carry-on.
Brown Bag It
We all know airline meals leave a lot to be desired taste-wise, but they’re also packed with chemical preservatives and are generally lacking in nutrition. Bringing your own lunch makes a lot of sense. If packing a sandwich and a piece of fruit or some yogurt and granola isn’t possible, Jones suggests, “Pick up a fresh salad in the airport before boarding.” For shorter flights, dried fruit, trail mix, and nuts are nutritionally sound choices and travel well to boot.
Don’t Just Sit There
Long flights and cramped seating can lead to deep venous thrombosis, or DVT. DVT can result from any long period of sitting, and it is compounded by dehydration, obesity, smoking, recent surgery, or history of congenital heart disease or circulation problems. The best method of prevention is movement. Though it may be awkward to get up from your seat regularly, it is a good idea to spend at least 5-10 minutes of every hour of flying time standing, stretching, and walking about the cabin. This will boost circulation, help prevent blood clots, and combat jet lag. Subtle seated exercises are also helpful, try contracting and relaxing every muscle in your body from your feet to your neck. Do simple shoulder rolls, gentle spinal twists, and point and flex your toes to keep blood moving through your feet and lower legs. Finally, take off your shoes and give yourself a foot massage. The friction and compression will increase circulation while soothing and calming your nervous system.
Pamper Yourself
Staying healthy and hydrated is half the battle, but a little extra TLC in the form of beauty care goes a long way in boosting your energy and your mood post-flight. Bring some revitalizing essential oils, lavender and rosemary are good pick-me-ups, or pick up a yummy aromatherapy lip balm or lip gloss to keep lips moist and luminous. Stacey Yates, spa director at SkinSpirit recommends, “keeping a hydrating mist in your bag, to keep skin quenched.” Her picks, “Jane Iredale has a great one, and Skinceuticals hydrating B5 gel is amazingly effective too.” You can also make your own with a few drops of essential oils in mineral or spring water. Refresh your eyes with moisturizing drops; contact lens-wearers should use a rehydrating solution. Last but not least, a fresh stroke of blush can give cheeks a healthy happy glow.
Take a Deep Breath
For many of us, anxiety coupled with stress leads to shorter, shallower breaths. Ironically, these panic breaths only compound stress in the body, by depriving it of cell reviving oxygen and by not fully exhaling toxins from the lungs. If flying makes you nervous, calm yourself with a few deep breaths before boarding, making sure that the length of your inhale is as long as your exhale. Frazzled by long lines, security checks, and the annoying kid next to you? Even as few as three deep focused breaths can be remarkably calming in an otherwise irritating situation. After you disembark, reward yourself (and flush out airplane toxins) by breathing in plenty of fresh air or take a brisk walk outdoors to boost circulation.
Redefine Layovers
Spa services are increasingly available at airports, with biggies like JFK, O’Hare, Newark, SeaTac, and Vancouver International all offering on site spa booths, day spas, or massage kiosks to weary travelers. Instead of heading directly for your next gate only to sit down again and stare at a television screen or peruse a magazine, why not book a massage or facial? With their clientele always on the go, airport spas are designed to maximize your time, half hour facials, by-the-minute massages, and mini-pedicures are stress-relieving, healthy ways to spend time between flights. The additional benefits of increased circulation and spa-quality moisturizers and oils also help keep airplane side effects at bay. No treatments at your stopping ground? Give your legs a good stretch with a walk around the terminal. Stop and pick up a fresh bottle of water for the next flight, and find a quiet place to sit and meditate or stretch. And remember to breathe deeply before you board.
Airport Spas
Absolute Spa at YVR, Level 3 International Departures & Level 3 US Departures, Vancouver International Airport, www.absolutespa.com, (604) 270-4772
Backrub Hub, Terminal 3, O’Hare International Airport, (773) 601-0630
d-parture spa, Terminal C, Gate 92, Newark International Airport, www.departurespa.com, (866) d-parture
A Massage Inc., Concourse B Mezzanine, Denver International Airport, (303) 342-7485
Massage Bar, Concourse C & North Satellite, Sea-Tac International Airport (Seattle) Concourse B, Washington-Dulles International Airport Concourse C, Nashville International Airport, www.massagebar.com
Oasis Day Spa, Jet Blue Terminal – JFK Airport, www.oasisdayspanyc.com, (212) 254-7722
O2raOxygen, Departure Level, Calgary International Airport, (403) 717-3744, Edward McNamara Terminal, Detroit Wayne County International Airport, (734) 247-4770
Passport Travel Spa, Food Court, Indianapolis International Airport, www.passportnails.com, (317) 240-1050
PACKING LIST
Bottled water
Healthy snacks like fruit and nuts
Travel-sized moisturizer and lip balm
Aromatherapy oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or jasmine
Skin spritzer
Eye drops
Bagged lunch (for longer flights)
Books, magazines, and good music
By Tanya M. Williams
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