Avoid Discomfort Resulting from Improper Eating and Drinking

• Avoid overeating just before and during the flight. It is difficult to digest too much food when the body is inactive;
• Drink coffee, tea and alcohol in moderation. These drinks act as diuretics, increasing the body's dehydration.

Allay the Effects of Cabin Humidity and Dehydration

• Drink water and juices frequently during your flight;
   
• Drink coffee, tea and alcohol in moderation. These drinks act as diuretics, increasing the body's dehydration;
   
• Remove contact lenses and wear glasses if your eyes are irritated;
   
• Use a skin moisturizer to refresh the skin.
   

Mitigate the Effects of Jet Lag

• Jet lag, which is the desynchronization of the body's biological clock [circadian rhythms], can be the result of rapid travel through several time zones.  It may affect both physical and mental performance. 
  
  Jet lag symptoms include lightheadedness, disorientation, fatigue, swollen hands and feet, digestive problems, headaches and more.  The best ways to avoid it are:
   
• Get a good night's sleep before your flight;
   
• Set your watch to destination time upon departure and ignore your home time while away;
   
• Fly direct, if possible, to minimize flight time;
   
• Avoid caffeine containing products and alcoholic drinks for 24 hours before your flight and during your flight;
   
• Try in-seat exercises during flight;
   
• Drink lots of non-alcoholic, non-caffeine containing liquids during flight;
   
• Sleep as much as possible, on the plane, when flying west to east.  Blindfolds, ear plugs, neck rests and blow-up pillows are useful in obtaining sleep;
   
• Stay awake as much as possible when flying east to west, eating mostly high protein foods [they supposedly help you stay awake] exposing yourself to as much daylight as possible;
   
• Eat little on board, favoring foods high in carbohydrates [flying west to east - this will help you sleep], synchronizing with local mealtimes upon arrival;
   
• After arrival at your destination, give yourself a day or two, if possible, to adjust to the new time zone.  Take a brisk walk and/or some light exercise.
   
• A homeopathic remedy for jet lag, called No-Jet-Lag, is available world wide.  It can be purchases by mail order and is sold at such outlets as international airports, pharmacies and travel stores.  No-Jet-Lag is said to have no side effects and to have been proved in scientific trials with round-the-world passengers and long haul flight attendants.  Click here to order No-Jet-Lag;
   
• Melatonin is another product that many claim to be useful in the prevention of jet lag.  It has not been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration;
   
• Many advocate the use of sleeping pills on long flights.  However, it would have the undesirable effect of keeping one immobile during much of the flight, which could be detrimental for cramped Economy passengers who might have an adverse DVT risk factor.  In addition, many of the over-the-counter sleeping pills are variants of anti-histamines.  These could accentuate dehydration;
   
• The use of 'Jetskins' is said to be useful in the prevention of jet lag.  This is a body-molded compression garment that covers the lower half of the body.  It also helps reduce dehydration, leg and foot swelling and it encourages blood flow.
   

To Further Enhance Your Comfort:

• Instead of using 1 big bag, pack your things into two smaller bags so as to distribute the weight more evenly for carrying from the parking lot and through the airport;
• Keep your knees higher than your hips while sea;
• Remove your shoes to be more comfortable [some airlines provide soft, sock-like slippers];
• Take a shower at stopovers.  Many airports have showers and even hotel-like rooms that can be rented to relax in during stopovers.
   

© Copyright 1999 - 2008 by Sharon Atchley.  All rights reserved.  Updated:  01/09/2008