5 ways you’re making yourself sick on flights
Arrive at your destinations in tip top shape.
1. Not drinking enough water
Flying is notoriously dehydrating – humidity in the cabin is only around 20%, compared to 40-70% in the outside world. This dryness is uncomfortable, can make your throat and eyes feel scratchy and may even make you more prone to infections. Make sure you drink plenty of water while you’re onboard and try to steer clear of alcohol or very salty foods.
2. Forgetting the sanitiser
Planes are a lot dirtier than you think, so it’s easy to pick up something nasty onboard. Bring along your own antiseptic wipes and give your tray table, entertainment screen and remote a quick wipe down as soon as you’re seated. Use hand sanitiser before you eat and after you use the bathroom. Try to avoid touching anything that’s not absolutely necessary and also avoid touching your own face or mouth too much.
3. Sitting still the whole time
Once you’re all settled in with your movie and blanket, it can be tempting to stay put for the duration of the flight. But you really need to get moving. The risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots and even death, is increased when you are squashed into a cramped position for hours at a time. Make sure you get up every couple of hours, do some gentle stretching and walk a couple of lengths of the plane. You can also do exercises in your seat and wear compression stockings to further reduce the risk.
4. Letting yourself get cold (or hot)
It seems that airplanes hardly ever get the temperature right. Hours spent freezing or overheated can make you feel terrible and raise your chances of actually getting sick. Layers are the key to a comfortable flight – bring a light jumper, a scarf and an extra pair of socks so you can make adjustments in the air. Avoid the airline blankets: generally they aren’t washed between flights.
5. Messing with your body clock
Long flights take you across multiple time zones, throwing your body clock into chaos and causing seriously bad jet lag. The best way to avoid this is to ‘set’ your body clock as soon as you get onboard. Try to adjust it to the time zone of the destination you are flying to, then eat and sleep at the appropriate times. It might feel a bit unnatural when you start, but your body will thank you for it at the other end.