Your healthiest plane trip yet

2 mins to read

Going somewhere? At this time of year, most of us will raise our hands. But often we’re so fixated on the destination we pay little attention to the journey.

Stress relief & sleep support

Going somewhere? At this time of year, most of us will raise our hands. But often we’re so fixated on the destination we pay little attention to the journey.

Mind
My relationship with planes has been through waves (of love and hate) over the past two years. In 2011, I caught around 30 flights, and towards those final legs, I developed a fear of flying.

This year, I’ve clocked around 10 flights, and seem to have transitioned through the fear to a much healthier place. I did this by examining my own anxiety. Was it well-founded? No.

After all, when is the last time an Australian commercial airline ran into serious mid-air trouble? Ironically, I’m afraid to Google that for you, so I’m not going to… but I know it was yonks ago.

Instead, I try to see plane rides as an opportunity to unplug- from my phone, from my laptop, from my Facebook account, from reality, from talking (sorry, person next to me).

It’s a mini holiday. I can read, watch movies, thumb through my favourite magazine, write in my journal… sleep!

Rumours are that most airlines will be mid-air wi-fi enabled before you can blink, so these days are numbered.

But still.

The mindset you foster during a flight sets the tone for your on-arrival headspace. See flying as a chance to unwind, to stop rushing and to be still.

To make it fun and chilled: treat yourself to a new read. Load a film you’ve always wanted to see to your laptop the night before. Listen to an album that takes you to another mental landscape – preferably a beautiful one, even it’s beautifully sad.

(I recommend anything by Yann Tiersen, the composer for the music to French film, Amélie; oh, or Radiohead).

Body
To keep your system in optimal condition, as a mechanic would say, here’s some tips from one of the most knowledgeable nutritionists I know, Sue Radd from Sue Radd's Nutrition and Wellbeing Clinic in Sydney:

Drink water first
Being in a plane with its recycled air is a dehydrating experience. But don’t wait until you get thirsty before you start drinking fluids. That’s already too late. Drink at least half a litre (a bottle) at least half-an-hour before you step onto the plane. When on board, take fluids for every half-an-hour you are awake.
Cut caffeine
Alcohol, coffee, tea and cola caffeine are diuretics, causing the body to lose fluid. I would not recommend caffeine during flight, as it will also keep you awake when you should be trying to nap. Try to shift your body clock to the time zone you’re headed for.
Take light meals only
You don’t need to eat every time something is offered, and you don’t have to eat all that is on your tray. Too much food too often, will make you feel bloated and not give your digestive system a break. Upon departure, change your watch to the time at your destination and try to work toward scheduling your meals and snacks to that. But include what you need and make the adjustment without overdoing it. Your body will thank you!

Happy flying!

References available on request