Tips for Healthy Travel
The following tips for healthy travel were published in the February 2002 issue of US Airways Attache magazine on page 79.
BEFORE FLYING
Get
a good night's sleep before your trip. Dress comfortably and wear loose-fitting
clothing. Forego clothing made of nonflexible material, since the body
expands slightly in flight.
Pack a light
carryon bag. You may want to check your luggage to avoid the strain of
handling bags in the airport and onboard.
Pack medications
in their original bottles - store them in your carryon bag for easy access.
If you wear contact lenses, pack a pair of eyeglasses and contact solution
in your carryon bag.
Jot down important
medical and insurance information, and make copies of all prescription
labels. Keep this is your wallet or purse for quick reference.
Eat light rather
than heavy meals the day of your trip.
If
you have dietary restrictions, notify the airline reservations at least
24 hours prior to your flight.
If you will
be crossing multiple time zones, prepare in advance to counteract the
effect of jet lag by adjusting your sleep time in the days before your
trip. Retire earlier than normal if you're headed eastbound, and later
if you're traveling west.
DURING FLIGHT
While in flight,
your body adapts to the conditions of the airplane environment. To help
maintain physical comfort, you may wish to do a few basic exercises, such
as finger/toe stretch, ankle rotation, shoulder rotation, neck roll, foot
flex and heel lift.
Stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and juice. Limit alcohol and
caffeine intake, which tend to dehydrate the body.
To
relieve pressure in the ears, chew gum or suck on bite-size candy. Yawning
or swallowing may produce the same results.
After
takeoff, reset your watch to reflect the time zone of your destination.
To help ease the effects of jet lag, try to adjust eating and sleeping
patterns according to the new time.
In
order to maintain proper circulation, avoid sitting with legs crossed.
Breathe
in slowly through the nose and out through the mouth to heighten relaxation.
To
hydrate the skin, consider applying a moisturizing lotion to the face
and hands.
Use
both hands when retrieving bags and objects from overhead bins to avoid
strains and sprains.
AFTER LANDING
When
retrieving luggage from the terminal carousel or loading luggage into
a vehicle, be sure to lift with your legs rather than your back.
You
may want to avoid scheduling important meetings immediately after transatlantic
or transcontinental flights. Adequate rest will help to ensure that you're
at your best after lengthy flights and time zone changes.
To
reduce the effects of jet lag, avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, maintain
a regular diet, and expose yourself to fresh air and sunlight.
