Eat Your Colors - June / July 2024

RELAAAAAAAAAAAAAX!

Traveling by plane for hours can be very taxing on the body. Airplane seats are designed to maximize space and profits for the airline- our comfort is secondary. Gone are the days where a cute outfit and a pretty smile can get you a free upgrade. So. if you don’t want to spend the money for that luxury, you have to deal with being crammed-in a small airplane seat.

But there’s good news, there are some tips that may make your next flight a little less uncomfortable and a lot less stressful on your body.

REST BEFORE YOU FLY

Sleeping on the plane to pass the time sounds like a good idea. However, to get comfortable enough to sleep on a plane is very tricky. The seat may be too small, strangers may be too close, passenger noise may disrupt you, back may feel too stiff- there are many things against you to get any real sleep. In fact, trying to get some sleep may even make you more irritable and thus even more tired than when you boarded the plane.

Getting a good night’s sleep before the day of your flight is a must-do. Some of us may believe that staying up all night will allow us to easily fall asleep on a plane- but that’s false.

Lack of sleep before a flight is just a recipe for an achy disaster.

Sleep and rest-up before your flight and use your flight time to read, get some work down or watch a movie. Studies show that passing the time doing things you would normally do in a seated position, may leave you more refreshed than trying to sleep in an airplane seat.

I usually do some work on my laptop but lately, I’ve been enjoying creating meditative art on my flights.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

The average relative humidity (RH) in most homes is around 30-50%. However, the RH on aircrafts are around 10-20%. This low humidity on airplanes can cause discomfort for some people, such as dry eyes, nose, and throat, but may also exacerbate conditions like dry skin and sinus problems.

Here are a few things that you can do to improve your comfort level on your drying flights. Staying hydrated is key.

Drink nothing but bottled water and fruit juices on the plane. Also, be sure that your being offered bottled water and not water from a plastic pitcher which may be the airlines tap water. They swear it’s safe to drink but lately, tests are showing harmful bacterium in those waters. Incidentally, the coffee that smells soooo good when it’s brewing in those little pots, are made with that same tap water. And if you already guessed it, those little ice cubes are made with that same water too. So if you do not see it coming from a bottled source, don’t drink it. But you must drink at least 8 ounces of water for every hour that you’re flying, so what do you do?

First, find out if your airline offers bottled water, if they do- fine. But if they don’t, buy the largest bottle you can afford after you pass through your security check-in. The 3-ounce rule for liquids is still in effect. Then you can safely drink water on your flight. The airline I frequent most offers bottled water but I bring my own empty water bottle when I travel anyway. I drink the airline’s bottle water in-flight, and I can refill my water bottle during my travels, usually with the hotel gym or lobby water-cooler stations. I can stay hydrated and don’t have to stop to purchase water- saves time and money. Avoid consuming alcohol on planes too (Henry rolls his eyes when I say this jajajaja!) but alcohol is drying to your body in an already dry environment. Lastly, bring those small under 3-ounce tubes of moisturizers to hydrate your skin on the plane. Bring some refreshing eye-drops too.

STTTTTTTRRRETTTCCCCHHHH

Due to the confined spaces of a plane, your body will naturally feel cramped, stiff and tight. It’s a good idea to stretch before you even board the plane. You’ll have more space in the terminal. You can also walk around, use the facilities and stand during most of your waiting to board time- check out the stores, coffee shops and outlets too.

Then, while seated on the plane, stretch your arms up and out. Also do some seated calf raises. Stretching your legs by getting up and walking the aisle helps blood flow. It’s recommended that you stretch for every hour that you fly to reduce cramping.

PROTECT YOUR EARS

Covering your ears protects them from the high decibel levels associated with flying. The sound in an airplane cabin during takeoff and landing can reach 105 decibels, while cruising hovers around 85 decibels. That’s higher than the average 60 decibels experienced during a normal conversation. While you probably won’t be on the plane long enough to experience adverse effects, using noise-canceling headphones or earplugs will soften the roar of your flight.

What you don’t want to do is wear your ear buds and turn up the volume too loud,

trying to drown out crying babies, talkative strangers and the annoying hum of the plane’s engines. The last thing you want to do is affect your hearing- so please, please be careful and protect your ears.