We’ve all been there; the calendar count down is up, you’re feeling and looking great, ready for your vacation and you step on the plane, only to land in your final destination, feeling not so like yourself and less than eager to jump into your beachwear.
Good news! It doesn’t have to be that way. Thanks to airport upgrades and an abundance of packing lists available online, flying can now leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready to step into vacation mode, by flying like a pro.
Four focus areas for flying like a pro
Comfort
When dressing for travel, comfort is the name of the game.
Questions to ask yourself when choosing your plane clothes include: How restrictive is this clothing? What does the clothing feel like sitting down? How many layers can I take off/ put on? Are my shoes easy to remove, does this fabric get sweaty, itchy or sticky easily?
Beyond those questions, it’s always a good idea to bring some versatile pieces, such as a scarf that can be doubled as a blanket, or rolled up as lumbar support.
You will have plenty of time to freshen up before your destination so, for travel clothes, we suggest thinking about comfort before anything else.
Packing
There are many checklists online that can support you with how and what to pack in your suitcase. For this section, I want to focus on carry-on comforts.
With comfort at the top of mind, you may want to bring some necessities from home, including your favorite aromatherapy spray, or your sleeping eye mask. It’s important to feel at home on the plane (no need to change into your Pj’s – but you get my point)
There are some travel essentials that you will want and need to pack in your carry on including tissues, wet wipes, polysporin, travel sickness tablets, moisturizer, a toothbrush/paste, headphone, snacks and I have a personal rule of always carrying Advil or Tylenol.
Of course, make a checklist for the essentials – passport, wallet, documents, camera, chargers and cell phone.
If you are feeling a bit under the weather, stock up on Vitamin C tablets or drinks in your carry-on. If you are not feeling under the weather, stock up on Vitamin C tablet or drinks in your carry on…travel can be a tricky thing on the immune system, and you want to support it in every way possible.
Moving
Staying active on and off the plane is extremely important. Sitting for prolonged periods of time is not good for our circulation, digestive system and various other bodily functions.
You can simply choose to do seat exercises, without moving from your seat. Calf raises and knee lifts are a great way to get the circulation going without moving around too much. Once every hour you should aim to get up and stretch your legs by moving around the plane, at convenient times.
Thanks to many recent airport upgrades, we are seeing fitness centres popping up in airports all around the world! This is exciting news for many travellers. In Canada, Toronto Pearson International Airport offers a full-service Goodlife Fitness Centre and this trend continues in other major cities including Dubai, Munich, Changi and multiple cities in the United States.
If you have a long stopover, a workout is a great way to make the time pass quickly, and your body will reward you with an instant mood boost for the remained of your journey. Included in many of these gyms is a wellness centre. If your daily routine does not include a gym workout, the wellness centre is a great option to get the blood flowing in the yoga room or hot/cold pools.
Eating
Save the gourmet, adventurous cuisine for your final destination.
During travel, it is best to stick with healthy foods that you know cooperate with your body’s digestive system. Foods high in sodium, sugar or spice should be avoided to reduce the risk of indigestion and bloating.
Packing some of your own snacks is a great way to make sure that you’re getting enough to eat, when you want to eat. During travel, it’s common to skip meals or bulk up on layovers. Instead of famine and feast, try to eat small meals throughout the day, easing up the load in your digestive tract.
If comfort is king, then water is queen, when travelling. Drinking enough water is essential to how you feel. It’s very easy to get dehydrated when flying and rushing around busy airports. Be sure to stop and sip the water along the way.
Remember who is in control
With all of these four elements, you are the boss. With some simple planning and managing, you get to feel the way you want to feel upon landing.
There are many things during travel that we just have to embrace, such as long lines or delayed flights but, when it comes to your own comfort and health remember that you are in control of that journey.
Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight knowing that you’ve got all the elements covered.
If you have any travel questions, please feel free to contact one of our trusted Tierone travel specialist here.