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I have had the luxury of flying frequently throughout my young adult life. Flying is always wonderful to me because it means I am travelling to a new city, country or continent! However, I have quickly learned that being on an airplane for a long period of time often leads to sluggishness, fatigue, brain fog, upset stomach, constipation, dehydration, migraines…and the list goes on. Luckily, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks along the way to make flying feel effortless.
Hydration
Our body is made up of over 50% water, so we need to make sure that water is fresh and flowing through our body to help keep our cells hydrated, our skin glowing and our digestion on point. Due to the lack of humidity in airplane air, it’s easy to get dehydrated if you’re not careful. Water helps to eliminate the toxins that build up in our bodies during flights. Aim to drink at least 2 litres of water before your flight and 1 litre once you’ve landed. I recommend filtered water – I always bring Santevia Water Systems Power Water Stick
Essential Oils
Essential Oils – this is my favourite flying ritual since I tend to get a little nervous when flying. I love using Saje oils, I never travel without this kit and bring the Peppermint Halo and Immune blends on the plane with me. I also carry this “Travel Safe” kit with me when I travel which I am SO in love with! Essential oils help to reduce stress, headaches, etc. and improve mood and energy.
Make Better Food Choices
Ditch the airplane food! Prior to flying, I recommend a big green juice or smoothie packed with veggies and digestive-friendly fruits, like this one. This will help to reduce inflammation in the body and will be easy for your body to digest. The last thing we want is undigested food and bloating while stuck on an airplane! When flying, pack snacks you know your body will love – if you normally don’t tolerate bread well, don’t pack a sandwich, your body is stressed out as it is! I recommend sticking to unsalted nuts and seeds, dried goji berries and mulberries, organic seaweed or fresh veggie sticks and hummus.
Fasting vs. Snacking
An alternative to snacking is fasting – I only recommend fasting if you feel 100% comfortable with it – don’t force anything you don’t feel comfortable with. Fasting gives our body a break and helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout your flight to make up for the dehydration and to avoid cravings, or try adding 1 tbsp. of chia seeds to your water bottle to encourage healthy bowel movements.
Movement/Stretching
Think for a moment how your feet swell on an airplane…now think of what flying might do to our insides. Make sure you are constantly moving and stretching to allow your body’s fluids to flow throughout your systems. It’s really important to take breaks every 30 minutes – I love walking down the aisles, doing lunges or ankle/wrist twists. I also love standing in sections of the plane where I can find room to bend and touch my toes. Is plane yoga a thing? Let’s make it a thing
Supplement Like It’s Your Day Job
Our immune system is often depleted when we fly, so I always like to stock up on immune boosting supplements like Vitamin C ,
Chill Out
Flying is a great time to get in a bit of deep breathing or meditation. Sit back and relax and practice deep breathing for 10, 20, 30-minute intervals in between reading, watching movies, sleeping etc. I also recommend journaling or colouring to help pass the time – I am a personally a fan of mandala colouring books! If all fails, take time to rest because let’s face it, we could all use a little extra sleep (just make sure you aren’t contributing to jet lag).
Ground Yourself
One of my favourite rituals is “earthing” or “grounding” as soon as I get off the plane. I love running barefoot on a grass field, digging my toes into the dirt, going for a nature walk or a dip in the ocean. This will help to bring you back down to earth (both physically and mentally) and will help with jet lag immensely! Fresh air is key!
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