Travelling can be pretty hectic, especially travelling for long hours, when the normal routine goes haywire, so that we don’t eat our meals at the times we generally do, we aren’t involved in body movements at the time we’re used to moving around and we don’t get enough quality rest at the time when we usually sleep. This anyway causes discomfort to an extent, which should not be provided for any further, to avoid making things worse.
Here are a few mistakes we must recognize and rectify while flying to avoid health issues.
SITTING STILL FOR THE WHOLE OF THE JOURNEY
Sitting still for hours at a stretch can stiffen your muscles and cause clotting of blood, more so because the blood flow in your body is hindered due to the high pressure the insides of the flight is set at, at about 6000 feet from sea level. So it is important that you take occasional strolls, at least once or twice apart from when you need to visit the loo, to ensure a proper blood circulation in the body that should keep you feeling light and fresh throughout the journey.
NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER
This is a must. Drinking enough water will keep dehydration in the flight at bay, which is very common as the moisture in the body dries up, causing you to, feel nauseous, get headaches, cramps and face stomach issues. Rehydration will help rejuvenate your body with the required amount of water and keep you from feeling tired.
SITTING IN AN AISLE SEAT
Aisle seats are worse than the seats in the middle, where you’ll be in constant bodily contact with many other people walking down past you and chances are high for you to get contaminated with diseases much more easily. So even if you find a seat in the middle uncomfortable, it is advisable that you still choose it over an aisle seat if you don’t get access to a window seat which is of course the best bet.
SWITCHING THE AIR VENT OFF
Do not turn the air vent placed above your heads, off. They are the only source of fresh air which is filtered before it reaches you. It helps in discarding air borne germs out of the flight and renders you a much cleaner air for breathing.
CONSUMING TOO MUCH OF ALCOHOL TO INDUCE SLEEP
Alcohol can disrupt your immune system and dehydrate you even further, so even though it might give you an instant feel-good and relaxing sensation, causing you to feel sleepy, after a while it will make you feel sick. So try and stick to a glass or two at the maximum.
FORGETTING TO CLEAN HANDS AFTER TOUCHING THE TRAY TABLE AND OTHER DIRTY SURFACES
The tray table is supposedly the dirtiest surface on the plane, so it is a must that you wash your hands right after you touch it, or at least use a hand sanitizer, because it remains infested with germs, as it comes in contact with a numerous hands, making you vulnerable to various kinds of diseases.
PURCHASING OR CARRYING OF PERISHABLE SNACKS
Perishable foods which are sensitive to the temperature that is food which is easily subject to bacterial reaction when left in the open for too long, precisely for beyond an hour or two in the heat should be rather avoided on the flight. Food such as cut fruits, oily fried food, meat and dairy products easily perish.
EATING PACKAGED FOOD
Consumption of excessively salted packaged food can cause bloating and lead to discomfort. Packaged foods are also highly processed which is not good for the stomach especially when on flight. It tends to make your brain less responsive and body lethargic. It is best to avoid processed food hence and opt for freshly cooked or baked items.
Here are a few important things to take note of while flying on a plane, to ensure a good health throughout the journey.
