The body is affected in many ways when you sit still during a flight. We have collected a number of tips here to help you avoid some of the most common problems.
The air on board planes is very dry, so drink plenty of water and avoid excess alcohol, coffee and tea as these beverages are diuretic.
Swollen feet are best avoided by making sure that you move them about as much as possible. Stretch your ankles and make circular movements with your feet every once in a while. Then, press your heels to the floor and point and stretch your toes upwards. Interchange between pressing your toes and then the balls of your feet to the floor, while lifting up your heels. Don’t forget to take a chance to move around when you stand up, some stretching and a few knee-bends in the queue for the toilet can do wonders! If you have stowed a bag under the seat in front of you, you can rest your feet on top of it. Loosen tight-fitting clothing; loosen your belt a few notches, undo the top button of your trousers and shirt and so on. Do untie your shoe laces, but it’s a good idea to keep your shoes on, as it may be hard to get them back on again for landing if you have taken them off. Do not sit with your legs crossed as this impairs blood circulation.
Blocked ears are a common occurrence when flying and is caused by the air pressure on board. You can get rid of the pressure by breathing in deeply, holding your nose and then expelling the air forcefully so that your cheeks puff up like balloons, but keep your mouth closed. You may hear a little clicking in your ears, that’s only your ear drums settling and is nothing to worry about. Possible blocked ear pain goes away immediately, but you may need to repeat the procedure a few times during the flight. If you have a cold, you should use your nasal spray well before your flight and also during the trip.