Hi my lovely readers!

With the world slowly opening up again I’m starting to feel more comfortable with the idea of taking long-haul flights once more and travelling that bit longer and further afield.

But the idea of being stuck in an airplane for several hours is feeling a bit daunting since I haven’t been on holiday for more than two years now, in terms of flying somewhere.

After a long-haul flight many of us feel a bit naff. Being stuck in a small space, long sitting periods, binge watching one movie after another, eating junk food along with the dry air on board don’t make for a good combination to feel rested, but there’re some easy things we can do and tips to follow to feel awesome when we land.

Some of them you might be familiar with, but others might not be that obvious or possibly a bit harder to follow or go easy on, yes I’m looking at you G&T.

Either way, read on to find out more about how to feel awesome when you land after a long-haul flight!

DRINK PLENTY

When we’re high up in the air we get more thirsty due to humidity levels dropping and rehydration. Therefore, aim to drink a bit more than you usually would and I’ mean water and not another bottle of wine.

Lower oxygen levels can make you feel more lightheaded so it’s best to limit your alcohol intake or at least reduce it to a moderate amount.

PREVENT GETTING SICK

Ever wondered why you’re more prone to getting sick after a long-haul flight?

The mucus in our nose dries out, which means our first defence mechanism evaporates and our immune system weakens. To combat this you can use a nasal spray as well as preventative measures such as washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitisers after touching areas that other people might touch. We should be pretty good at this by now after two years of Covid.

MOVE AROUND

Most airlines have some sort of entertainment system on board and a media library with plenty of movies to choose from to keep us busy during our long-haul flights. The problem is that we tend to watch one movie after another or play another round of solitaire that we stay put for too long.

Inactivity slows down our blood flow, which can increase the risk of clotting. Hence, make an effort to get up frequently and move around. Go to the loo, walk to the stewardess and ask her for a glass of water or just walk up and down the aisle.

Your sitting by the window and don’t want to ask your two companions to get up? At least circle your ankles a little, move your arms and wriggle your legs.

GET SOME SNOOZE

Some people pass out straight away and fall asleep anywhere just like that, but for many of us (including me) it’s difficult to fall asleep and even harder on a plane. Still, getting some sleep is important to avoid jetlag.

I find booking the window seat to be able to put my head against the wall can help me find a more comfortable sleeping position or using a neck pillow. Also, selecting a seat closer to the front can make a difference as you’ll get less engine noise.

COMBAT BLOATING

Lower air pressure in the cabin leads to gas expanding = bloating and belly discomfort. Avoid wearing tight clothes during long-haul flights and opt for something comfy instead.

Comfort over style please. Additionally, it’s best to avoid fizzy drinks as well as high in fibre foods as our body doesn’t digest these easily up high in the air. Best to opt for carbs.

GET THE FIRST-CLASS COMPLEXION

Due to low humidity levels in the cabin, our skin loses a lot of water and effectively dries out. This can lead to dry or tight feeling skin or even chapped lips.

The best is to remove all make-up and apply a moisturiser. This will help the skin to breath and supports it for that first-class complexion.

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Do you have any tips on how to feel well rested and awesome when you land and touchdown after a long-haul flight?

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