6 Ways To Stay Healthy And Germ-Free On A Long Flight

Here’s a Look at 6 Travel Health Tips That Help You Stay Healthy on Your Flight:

1. Use a Sanitizer and Disinfectant Wipes

Germs spread really easily when you are in a contained space where people are sitting over and over again in these seats. And these are breeding grounds for germs like E. Coli and MRSA. It might be a good idea to always keep sanitizer in your purse or on your carry-on luggage to keep your hands clean until you can wash them properly with soap and water. You will be touching the escalator banisters, armrests on chairs, elevator buttons and much more! You don’t know what kinds of germs and viruses are on them. When you get onto the aircraft, disinfect your entire seat, and especially your tray table. Before you put your food on it or rest your head on it, get some wet wipes out and clean it really well. Some people eat directly off of the table which leaves behind food particles and germs! 

2. Stretch and Stay Active - Wear Copper Compression Socks

A common concern for frequent travelers is that they get blood clots in their bodies. This could happen because they are sitting down for long hours, without letting their blood circulate properly. One thing that doctors recommend is that if you’re on a lengthy international flight, you should get up every hour and walk from the front to the back of the cabin to get your blood circulating. Being high up in the air can be very stressful and challenging for your body. So if you travel frequently, don’t just sit for 8 hours straight. For travelers with problems like deep vein thrombosis, Reynaud’s disease, varicose veins, and similar problems, copper compression socks can help you find relief from blood clots and promote the formation of new blood cells from pre-existing vessels. Even if you’re simply suffering from chronic tired and achy feet, copper socks could help to make your air travel a lot less gut-wrenching. 

3. Drink Plenty of Water

Always stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water while you’re traveling in the air is vital. If you’re on an aircraft, it could suck all the moisture out of your body. You may slather tons of moisturizer on your face, but it doesn’t quite cut it. It’s recommended that you drink 1 cup of water per hour on a flight. So if you have a really long flight, replenish your body with plenty of water! Carry a bottle of distilled water with you instead of relying on water served on an aircraft.  

If you suffer from kidney stones, you might experience kidney stone pain which can be excruciating. Staying hydrated is one of the most effective ways to help prevent them. This is especially important when you're traveling on an aircraft, where the dry cabin air can quickly dehydrate you. It's essential to drink plenty of water, and you should aim to consume at least one cup of water per hour on a flight to keep your body hydrated. Carrying a bottle of distilled water with you, if the airline allows it, can also help to ensure that you have a reliable source of water, rather than relying on the water served on the plane. So, always make sure to stay hydrated, especially if you are prone to kidney stones.

4. Get Plenty of Sleep

When you’re on vacation, you don’t really want to rest for too long because you would prefer hitting the road to see everything you can within that short period of time! That’s pretty normal. But, you must get an adequate amount of sleep or else you could burn out. Especially if you have a really long flight, you don’t want to feel exhausted when you land. If you’ve had a really long day at work, give your body time to just get some rest. There are plenty of health benefits of good sleep that support good mental and physical health.  Seats in an aircraft aren’t very comfortable, so when you land, your body is still ‘unrested’. Go ahead and get some rest to replenish your energy to really enjoy your vacation!

5. Pack Your Own Food

Another way to stay healthy while traveling is to pack your own food if the airline allows it. Carry nuts and fruits, they’re good for you! The food served on aircraft and at airports is not usually the best option for you since they are very high in sodium. And let’s not forget that you’re going to save a lot of money as well! So it’s important that you carry foods that give you energy as opposed to draining you. 

6. Wear Loose-Fitted Clothes

Wearing tight-fitted tank tops and gym pants are not ideal for long flights. It’s advised that you wear breathable fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen since they allow proper air circulation and don’t hold sweat on the skin. Your clothes are less likely to get dirty and won’t require an immediate machine wash upon landing. 

It’s important that you stay healthy when you’re traveling for long hours. These simple and easy steps could help you to stay germ-free and active throughout your flight.