Traveling is the best thing you can do but let’s face it; travel can be a real pain sometimes. Air travel can be cramped, long, exhausting and can leave you feeling ill or groggy for several days. I travel well over 150,000 miles a year and while I don’t claim to know everything, I have learned a few things on my travels. Here are five air wellness travel tips.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking fluids before, during and after a flight are crucial to staving off jet lag and for you overall well being. Drinking fluids like water or juice or even ginger ale can help you stay hydrated and refreshed when you land. DO not drink coffee, tea or alcohol on planes. I know it can be tempting especially if the booze is free but steer clear. You’ll be happy you did.

2. Move Around

It’s pretty commonly accepted these days that it is smart to move around the plane if you have a long flight. Even if you don’t get up, do small exercises in your seat with you feet, hands and shoulders to stay loose and get the blood flowing. I also like to get up and walk the aisle a bit or stand in the back and really stretch. Nobody wants to get deep vein thrombosis and nobody likes when their butt falls asleep!

3. Wear Compression Socks

I’ve just discovered these socks that really help people whose ankles tend to swell on longer flights. Compression socks look like regular socks but they keep the blood flowing in and around your ankles and feet and can stave off dependent edema and trust me, you don’t want that! Elevating your feet can also help if possible.

4. Have Personal Items Easily Available

If you need to use personal items, especially medicines, painkillers, or any prescriptions; have them available and easily accessible in your carry-on or handbag. You don’t want to have to pull your bag down and dig through to find what you need. If you think you might need it, keep it at the top of your bag or on your person.

5. Wear Loose Clothing

I always wear loose clothes like hoodies, tee shirts or loose fitting jeans or shorts when I fly. I find it less constricting and you feel freer. Flying is hard enough that you should feel as comfortable as you can. Dressing in loose, casual clothes can also make you feel more at home; which can help pass the time.

Lee Abbamonte is a NYC-based travel expert. You can read more on his site: leeabbamonte.com. 

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