Traveling’s always fun, but the most dreadful part is how we get there. An hour or two flights are certainly easier to handle, but how about those long journeys from one side of the world to another? Here are some tips to survive long-haul flights:
Wear breathable clothes and comfortable shoes
Tight clothes and pants can restrict blood flow, especially when you are in your pretty confined seat. So, leave your fashionable skinny jeans and tight t-shirts for your sightseeing adventures and wear loose cotton or linen clothes to give your skin some breathing room. Not only that, don’t forget your sweater or socks, just in case you get extra chilly during the flight. For shoes, consider wearing comfortable sneakers for a pleasant time walking around the airport and to free up some space on your suitcase. Slip-on shoes are also great if you want an easier and quicker procedure going through security.
Fast or have a healthy snack
A study suggests that fasting for about 16 hours before a long flight can actually help against jet lag. Our internal timer triggers when we eat and sleep according to light, but according to the research, a second clock revoke the first as food is in short supply. In a sense, you will try to be more awake until you can have dinner at your new destination, which eventually helps adjust your internal timer and minimize the jet lag damage. If you’re too hungry, then you can have light healthy snacks that aren’t going to mess up your digestive system. Furthermore, try to stay away from alcohol since it causes extra dehydration, which is already a concern for travelers because of the dry cabin air.
Plan ahead and gear up
If you’re taking a red-eye, it’s easier to pass the time with a long snooze, but if you often have problems sleeping during flights, then make sure to bring an eye mask and earplugs to ensure a silent and dark environment. Also, prepare a plan B just in case you can’t sleep, whether it’s to read a book or catch up on some shows. Of course, it’s less troublesome to fly during the day as most long-haul flights offer various entertainments from movies, TV shows, music, games, and others, but sometimes, you might not find movies or TV shows that you’re actually interested in watching. So, you want to make sure that all of your devices are fully charged and download movies that you haven’t had to chance to see and shows that you want to binge watch to your devices. You can also download offline mobile games that you can play on your phone, if your laptop or tablet runs out of battery — as not all flights provide an outlet and only a usb charger port.
Try getting an upgrade
Although long-haul flights can be treacherous, first class passengers can surely fly with a lot more comfort. Together with comfortable seats, tastier-looking meals, extra attention from the flight attendants, first class are surely where the passengers want to be. However, since it’s the price are usually very steep, see if you can get an upgrade through your connections, frequent flier miles, or even try your luck by sweet talking the check-in officer. If not, you can always try your luck with an early check in for the best economy seats— the ones with extra leg room.
Now, you’re all set. Let’s face it, long-haul flights can be a real pain in the butt, but if you can get over this long and boring part of traveling, you’ll finally arrive where you’ve always wanted to go. So, make sure to plan things out, wear your most comfortable fashion items, and travel safe.
