1) Stay Hydrated
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is so important. If you have social anxiety like I do, getting up to use the bathroom when someone I know is not in the aisle seat is nerve wracking. It is understandable that in this situation, it would seem to make more sense to not drink a lot of water or liquids. Doing this though, can cause more harm than good. Being dehydrated can lead to headaches and fatigue. It also can cause jetlag to be worse when you reach your destination. Long flights can be difficult, but having a headache and feeling like crud is only going to make it worse. Do yourself a favor and stay hydrated.
2) Try to Get up and Walk Around
When I am on a flight, I would rather just rot in the seat and watch movies and shows. But sitting for a long period of time without movement, can contribute to hemorrhoids and even little pimples that are infected. Trust me, I have either experienced this happen, or have someone I love experience this. Honestly, this is where staying hydrated can come in clutch. When you’re drinking water, you have to use the bathroom. Which means that you also have to get up and walk to the bathroom. Why not use this time to do a short walk up and down the aisle. Or maybe even opt to use the bathroom that’s farther? The last thing you want is discomfort when you get home or even worse, when you’re on your trip.
3) Bring Items That can Help Keep you Comfortable.
Most of us cannot afford a business or first class flight with reclined seating and all the bells and whistles. The majority of us are in the economy, or maybe even in premium economy if our circumstances allow. I don’t like carrying extra things that just make the seat more crowded than it already is, but comfort is very important for a long flight. Things I like to bring are a neck pillow, blanket, a squishmallow, and a little foot hammock. To be honest, the squishmallow is more of an emotional support plushie. I opt to bring one that is not larger than medium sized. If I am being honest, I do not use a neck pillow that often, but it is a good item to have in the event that I decide I need it depending on the seat and how I am positioned. I would rather have it just in case I need it then be very uncomfortable for the flight. My anxiety makes it very difficult to sleep on flights because in the event of an emergency I want to be awake. If you’re wondering what a foot hammock is, it is something that you can hang around your tray and put your feet up. Depending on how tall you are and the amount of space, you may or may not be able to stretch all the way out, but it can make a difference to at least move your leg so it is not in the same stagnant position for hours.
4) Bring Plenty of Entertainment
Again, this sounds like a no brainer, but I know most cannot sit through a flight doing nothing. Especially if you have a hard time sleeping on airplanes. Granted depending on the plane and flight duration, there may or may not be in flight entertainment. Downloading movies and shows on a phone or tablet can help alleviate boredom. You can also bring a physical book, Kindle, or even a handheld gaming system like a Nintendo Switch. That way if you become bored with one option, you have others to work with. Be sure to bring some sort of charger. Preferably a portable one in case there are no chargers or outlets available to plug your phone into. The last thing you want is for your entertainment system to run out of battery before you reach your destination.
5) Any Sort of Medication or Supplements That Can Help You Survive the Flight.
Flying can be stressful at times. Conditions like nausea, headaches, sinus issues, anxiety and much more can ruin your flight experience. Bringing medication and supplements like drumamine, painkiller, magnesium, melatonin or anything else that helps can make all the difference. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplements or medications.
Do you have methods of survival you would like to share? Feel free to post them in the comments! Hope to hear from you!
Cheers,
Priya