‘Tis the season of travel! But with all the beauty travel brings us, there is an equal amount of planning, strategy, and for lack of a better word - survival - involved in the process.
To see beautiful places and do exciting things, we have to work for it; A week-long trip to Thailand comes at the price of 20+-hour-long flights. Swimming in the crystal waters of Croatia is a dream, but first, you’ll endure an overnight flight and a connecting layover.
Our intention here is not to scare you away from travel but rather to make sure you are prepared for the journey to get to your destination. The biggest hurdle in exploring the world is often a long travel day, and we’re here with four tips on how to survive a long-haul flight and make the most of your next trip:
#1 - Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate -
You may have heard this one before - Drink water when you fly! Air travel is dehydrating due to the low cabin pressure and resulting lower amount of oxygen feeding into your bloodstream. Dehydration, as I’m sure many of us know, causes issues in the body such as weakness, confusion, and sometimes illness. When you land, you want to be in tip-top shape to make the most of your trip.
Start your hydration journey with a reusable water bottle, and fill it to the brim once you get past your security checkpoint but before you board your flight. Once you’re in the air, continuously drink water, but also check in with your hydration in other ways: Eye drops, nasal sprays, chapstick, moisturizing hand cream, and a hydrating face spray. These small items can make a big difference.
>> Lexie’s favorite hydration product: Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial Spray
#2 - Be strategic with your carry-on and personal items
It’s no secret that airplanes are cramped, and somehow continue to feel smaller. Keep this in mind when you pack your carry-on bag and/or your personal item before a long-haul flight; Whenever you need to grab a charger, a snack, your neck pillow, or whatever it may be, remember that you will either need to reach down below your seat to retrieve it, or get out and grab it from the overhead compartment.
To make your long-haul flights easier, keep things you are likely to use most often handy at the top of your bag or inaccessible compartments - things like chapstick, electronics, water bottles, and snacks. Utilize individual storage products like an electronics case, a toiletries bag, and more. If you need to grab your toothbrush, you’ll want to be able to quickly grab it and go - and especially avoid any risk of dropping it on the ground.
>> Lexie’s favorite carry-on storage product: Beis Mesh Pouch Trio
#3 - Whatever it takes, get as much sleep as possible -
Right up there with hydration, sleep is key for surviving a long-haul flight. Of course, part of the travel curse is that airplanes are perhaps one of the most difficult scenarios to find sleep. The seats are small, there is a global divide between whether or not you can recline a seat, the air is dry, and more often than not there is a crying baby.
However, as you can probably guess - sleep is key for starting your trip off on the right foot, and staying healthy throughout your travels. In whatever ways you can find sleep - you must! Drink sleepy-time tea, indulge in a comfortable neck pillow, and take your sleeping pills before the flight departs. We also recommend wearing a hoodie while you travel - something about the hood covering your ears and neck makes for a more comfortable experience. Finally, if it’s within your means, purchase an extra legroom seat or higher airfare class - especially if you have longer legs!
>> Lexie’s favorite sleep-guaranteed travel product: Memory Foam Neck Pillow
>> Emily's favorite sleep-guaranteed travel product: MZOO Luxury Sleep Mask
#4 - Stay awake when you land - NO NAPS -
Finally, we reach the opposite of sleep. Staying awake! Once you land, do everything in your power to stay awake until at least 8 PM at your local destination. As tempting as it may be to take a “quick nap” at the hotel, we urge you to power through.
If you want to make the most of your trip and adjust to the local time zone quickly, stay awake and active. Go for a walk (or five) around the surrounding areas or get some exercise, grab some (more) water, and a delicious local coffee, and eat a good meal. Sometimes, it can help to book an activity or dinner for the night you arrive at a destination. This gives you something to look forward to and gives you a reason to stay awake.
Ready to survive and thrive on your next long-haul flight? Schedule your FREE Travel Consultation today and the ELx Travel team will plan your next dream getaway!