Useful Travel Tips to Help You Cope With Long Haul Flights
1. Be at the airport on time.
Isn’t it stressful to race through the security and immigration with just a short period of time; knowing that you may get offloaded if you don’t get to process all the papers you need? The stress you get from this experience can really turn you into a stressed out passenger when or if you finally get onto the plane. Travel stress brought by this kind of situation may be avoided by allotting more time for all the things you need to do at the airport.
2. Get the best seat!
Studying the aircraft configuration before you travel will help you get the best seat. You will have more time to request for a seat with more legroom especially when you reserve online.
3. Dress comfortably.
Remember that you will have to sit and stay in one position for several hours and the least you can do to make yourself comfortable during these hours is to make sure that the clothes and the shoes you are going to wear don’t make hard situation harder.
4. Do not eat and drink a lot.
Your digestive system is not in its optimum condition when you are seated in a confined space. Remember to eat only in moderation before traveling otherwise you’ll have an uncomfortable time while on the plane. Moreover, you should be aware that alcohol has more severe effects when the body is in pressurized environments such as an airplane cruising at a high altitude.
5. Drink plenty of water.
Do not forget that it is very dry inside the plane because the air inside is just re-circulated. This might cause you dehydration and to counteract the effect, you’ve got to drink plenty of water.
6. Walk the aisles.
Long haul flights often make people feel sore, bloated and stiff. This is because the muscles could not react easily to the situation of not being used for a long time. Try walking the aisles to give your muscles some exercise.
7. Noise cancelling headphones can help!
The noise especially when the plane is on the highest altitude can really cause you a lot of stress. There is nothing wrong with investing on some headphones that are designed to cancel the noise that surrounds you on the plane. You may have to spend some dollars on these headphones but you are assured that you will have a stress free travel because you can be on the go right after getting off the plane.
Stress is everywhere and it only depends on the person how he is going to avoid the things that may put him into a stressful situation. When it comes to travel, it’s very important that you follow the above given tips to ensure that you’ll reach your destination looking fresh, excited and raring to experience fun and adventure!
By: Lindsay Goodall
About the Author:
Editor – OneSmallTrip
I’ll be going on a long trip to Italy next month so these are good tips.
I can vouch for drinking lots of water and staying away from alcohol does help but also note that a lot of the cures and remedies for jet lag that you find on the web don’t work, so sticking to what you mention above should help.
Hi Lindsay,
The noise cancelling headphones are a great idea. I’d also like to suggest that people purchase the best ticket they can afford. The difference between economy and business or first on long haul flights is worth the price.
Daniel
For long flights I use to take a book with me. If it’s interesting, the time will pass very fast, and usually I can’t wait for the flight back home to finish it.
Thanks for the info….
To add to that great list:
Try and do some vigorous exercise when you get to your destination to reset your body, and fall in-line as soon as possible with the daily routine of your location, ie sleep, wake and rest when the locals do!!
Fluids (no booze) seem to be the most important factor.
Great advice, Lindsay. My wife and I are Canadians who have been living in China for 9 years. Having traveled back and forth from China to Canada many, many times, we can attest to the effectiveness of your suggestions here.
Interestinly, my wife is a real stickler for getting to the aiport early, which I often tease her about. However, after reading your first point, I am going to have to tell her that I appreciate her diligence in this regard.
Lindsay, traveling during holidays is anything but easy, remembering that you are “escaping” for a few days always made my trip a bit more pleasant!
Oh, thanks for the tips. I always order the plane places while booking tickets online. As I’m a vegetarian, I also ask for the special meal. It always helps
Hi Lindsay,Thanks for sharing Information.
Number four threw me off after I read number 5. I read it as do not eat or drink a lot and then number 5 is drink plenty of water, but after re-reading it a I see what it meant.
Next time I am on a long flight, I’ll try the noise cancelling headphones and see how that works. Great advice.