IconHEALTHIER AND MORE COMFORTABLE AIR TRAVEL
Long
haul air travel affects the human body in various ways. The extent to which the
different factors impact on us varies from person to person, however, there are
a few simple steps that can be taken to lessen some of the discomforting
symptoms you may encounter.
The
following points are simply suggestions and you should always consult your
Nature Cure health practitioner with regard to any health concerns.
10
GOOD IDEAS FOR BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER A FLIGHT
1.
Pre-Flight Exercise: Aerobic exercise such as jogging, cycling and swimming,
even for only half an hour, can help improve circulation for several hours
afterwards and is recommended before a long flight.
2.
What To Drink: The air on aeroplane is extremely dry and it is easy to become
dehydrated. The best advice when flying is to drink as much still water as
possible - most airlines will provide drinking water on request, but it would be
advisable to take a large bottle of mineral water on board with you (Take an
empty bottle and after security checks ask the cafe to fill it for you - lots
cheaper than the very expensive water they will try and sell you!). The general
nature cure advice to not drink too much does not apply when flying as the cabin
air is artificially kept dry to prevent corrosion to metal components and thus
there is a substantial loss of water through the lungs. Fizzy drinks are not
recommended because the gas expands in the stomach at altitude. Alcoholic drinks
are best avoided because they act as a diuretic and they are more potent when
flying.
3.What
To Eat: Many foods are gas-forming and, like fizzy drinks, can make the stomach
swell uncomfortably. The best foods are fruits and salads, whilst the following
should be avoided where possible: meat (which is difficult to digest), beans,
peas, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, turnips, Brussels sprouts and anything
with a high roughage content. In addition, if you find air travel stressful, it
is best to avoid chocolates, soft cheeses, citrus fruits, yeast extract and red
wine, all of which can cause hypertension.
4.Feeling
Fresh on Arrival: In order to lessen the debilitating effects of tiredness on
arrival it is advisable to keep up your levels of beta-carotene. Scientific
research has shown that drinking carrot juice two or three days before flying
can make you feel much fresher on arrival by helping to retain more oxygen in
your blood stream.
5.Avoiding
Bugs: The air on aeroplanes is filtered and recycled. Despite the filter, there
will be some bugs in the cabin and because of the multinational nature of
airline passengers, you may have a low :resistance to some of these bugs. A dose
of apple and blackcurrant juice ( made from concentrate and diluted
appropriately) prior to traveling will give you a good dose of natural vitamin
C. Aerobic exercise before and after (i.e. heart and lungs) will help to reduce
your chances
6.Minimising
Ear Pain: Change in cabin pressure, particularly during take-off and landing may
cause some discomfort in the ears. This is relieved by swallowing which releases
pressure on the middle ear. A clove placed in the mouth or a strong mint
(natural ofcourse!) can help. Please read catarrhal tendencies obtainable from
www.NatureCure.Co.Uk (catarrh is often the BIG culprit)
7.What
To Wear: The two factors to consider are determined by the cabin environment:
your body inflates during flight and the cabin temperature can be very cool.
Therefore, loose clothes, loose shoes and an extra sweater are a must. Tight and
restrictive under garments and clothes should be avoided. Compression hose can
help improve circulation but ensure not too tight to avoid restricting
circulation.
8.Avoiding
Air Sickness: Passengers who are predisposed to air-sickness or anxiety may
prefer a window seat. It is suggested that these conditions can be caused by
disorientation due to the aircraft's movement and being able to see out of the
window can help to alleviate the symptoms. Natural anti-sickness tablets
containing ginger and wrist-bands are available at any high-street chemist
(alternatively honey and ginger sandwiches are also effective).
9.Swollen
Feet: The lack of opportunities to move about during flight can result in the
most common symptom of air travel: swollen feet, ankles and legs. This condition
is due to poor circulation and here are several simple methods to encourage good
circulation while on board: if possible walk about occasionally during the
flight, or simulate walking by moving your feet up and down (ideally for 15
minutes of every hour): keep your hand luggage on the floor in front of you and
rest your feet on it so that your thighs are clear of the edge of the seat. The
normal nature cure diet ( www.naturecure.co.uk/foodarticle.htm)
provides
essential nutrients to ensure that your blood is relatively thin and thus less
likely to give you cause for concern.
Passengers with a history of varicose veins or venous thrombosis should wear
compression hose.
10.On
Arrival: To lessen the impact of jet lag you should synchronise yourself to
local time as much as possible,
limiting yourself to short naps during the daytime. Exposure to daylight on
arrival helps to speed up the process as does sticking to local meal times. The
best foods to choose on arrival are salads & complex carbohydrates such as
muesli, sandwiches, pasta, rice and potatoes, plus bio yogurts and fresh fruit.
Dried fruit can help alleviate constipation. Jet lag is normally more pronounced
when flying from west to east.
If
you would like more detailed advice about healthier flying please visit the
Aviation Health Institute's website at www.aviation-health.org
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Article - Published in Osteopathy Today July 02
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