As a world traveler and collector of many frequent flyer miles, I’ve finally figured a flying routine to stay healthy and as comfortable as possible during those long journeys.
The flight..
I always make sure I have a filling, wholesome meal before I get on that plane, normally in the airport or on the way there if there’s time. I’m usually running late, so there’s not. In the airport I almost always order a large chicken caesar salad with avocado. Although there’s normally limited choice, this is a likely available option. There’s enough protein, good fats and vegetables to keep me satisfied at least for the first few hours during a long flight.
This way I’ll avoid the temptation of filling myself up on the processed, non-fresh plane food when it arrives. Even though to be fair a lot of airlines now can provide a relatively decent, balanced meal. For me it’s almost guaranteed I’ll be left feeling sluggish and regretful after inhaling the entire contents of my tray in front of me – buttered bread roll, chocolate cake, over-salted curry and all, when I’m not even remotely hungry. So best to avoid that altogether.
The main thing is to plan. Bring your own healthy snacks with you for when you’re feeling peckish on those +6 hour journeys.
A few great and easy snacks to bring from home are: Organic pure bars, a banana, carrot sticks with hummus, apple slices with almond butter, kale chips, raw almonds or cashew nuts.
I couldn’t travel without my Bose noise-cancelling headphones, which really shuts out the world around you and transports you to your own little private bubble. I actually look forward to flights these days just to sit back and zone out to the chilled acoustic sounds of Andrew Belle’s album Black Bear. Check him out!
Keep moving
It’s important to keep your muscles contracting regularly during your flight. You don’t necessarily need to be sweating it out doing deep lunges at the back of the plane (but if that’s your thing, go for it!), the idea is to contract your calf muscles, get the blood flowing and avoid ‘economy flight syndrome’ ie. DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – yikes.
I usually rotate my ankles in circles or flex them up and down. Also I try to avoid crossing my legs as this definitely will limit the blood flow, if kept cross for a long period of time. I even try to not cross them even while sat at my desk at work for too long.
This is a great article on the Healthiest Way to Spend a Layover. If I ever happen to be at these airports, I am so checking the spas out! No excuse to not feel fresh when arriving at your final destination.
Also Gwyneth Paltrow’s article Fly Better from her Goop blog is a pretty good read, of what to wear, listen to, eat and tips on planning ahead before your flight. I agree with her that Seatguru is a great site to check out before flying, however I’m not sure I would go as far as ‘spraying active silver’ around my plane seat – whatever floats your boat! Or should I say, flys your plane.. ? hmm.
Snapshot from my latest upcoming flight from seatguru
Drink lots of water, avoid alcohol, sugary fruit drinks and coffee. Boring I know, but sticking to water will make you feel a whole lot fresher when you land.
To wear..
I try to be as comfortable as possible, yet still attempt to look presentable. In other words I’d love to wear my pyjama trousers but I guess that’s not very sociable.. My go-to’s are this casual blazer from Zara paired with these comfy slouch trousers from River Island.
Also how comfy do these TOMS ballet flats look? I need a pair!
If you’re struggling on the luggage weight limit or lack of space for all those clothes, then wearing your trainers on the plane, although not very stylish, will save you all that space and make sure you’re feet are comfortable getting through all those terminals. Especially if you’re the one having to madly sprint through them to make your flight, which I usually am. I don’t know how those women in heels do it!
Talking about luggage weight, these travel luggage scales that weigh up to 50kg are incredibly handy, and so worth the shock-horror of discovering you’re 10kg over the weight limit. They’ve definitely helped make my travelling stress-free, and all for a bargain price of 6 UKP.
50kg portable handheld, electronic LCD travel luggage weighing scales
Happy travels!
My sister bought me a travel luggage scale just a few months ago and it really came in handy for my 20-day trip, so I second that recommendation. 🙂
The travel luggage scales are definitely handy to know about! I’m always ‘guessing’ as to my suitcase weight … broadly, if I can’t lift it, it must be overweight !
Yeah, there’s nothing like headphones to help pass the time AND the best part is Bose sells adapters that can be hooked into the airplane’s arm rest port. Gotta love that! 🙂
Lots of good advice, thanks. I need a guide to getting leg room on planes.
I so rely on my handy weighing scale. It’s saved me a lot of money and angst at the check in. Great article, but I couldn’t log in to Seatguru. 🙁
wish i had known about that hotel by the hour at Dubai. Got stuck there for 9 hours because missed a connecting flight!
Great tips! I’d add – bring a cashmere pashmina along. No scratchy, itchy plane blankets, plus it’ll keep you toasty warm in that frigid metal canister. Also, where I live, a 6+ hour flight is standard – a truly long haul flight for me would be a 10+ hour one, and there just isn’t enough space in my carry-on for all the good snacks I’d like to pack for that!