Overseas travel is a wonderful privilege. Broadening horizons and stepping away from our daily routine to gain perspective and experience places only seen on a screen, is truly a surreal experience. It can also knock our body function out of order for a combination of reasons, so here is my go to for preparing for long haul flights and trekking about exotic lands.
1. Jet lag and circadian rhythm disruption
One of the most immediate impacts of long-haul flights is jet lag, which occurs when your internal body clock (circadian rhythm) is out of sync with the local time at your destination. This disruption affects sleep patterns, and can take several days for your body to adjust to a new time zone, and during that period, cognitive function and mood may be impaired. Be aware of the time zone you are flying to, taking into account transit, and try to adjust your sleeping patterns on the way.
2. Dehydration & skin health
Airplane cabins are known for their low humidity levels, which can cause dehydration. Dehydration affects not only your internal systems but also your hair, skin and eyes, leading to dryness, irritation, and a dull complexion. Prolonged dehydration can also affect digestion, energy levels, and joint health. It’s essential to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine while flying. Try regular spritzing of the face with rosewater and applying hand lotion also.
3. Digestive discomfort
Changes in time zones, diet, and routine can disrupt your gut health, leading to issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. Air travel itself can contribute to this, as sitting for extended periods slows down digestion, and pressure changes during a flight may exacerbate bloating. Eating fiber-rich foods and staying hydrated can help keep your gut biome healthy. Keep travel sized pure peptide be. collagen in your hand luggage so that you can add pre measured 10g to juices, yoghurt or other beverages to maintain your daily digestive program.
4. Immune system stress
Travel exposes you to different bacteria and viruses, particularly in crowded places like airports and planes. The body’s immune system may become stressed due to lack of sleep, unfamiliar food, and changes in climate. This can increase your vulnerability to infections such as colds, flu, and gastrointestinal illnesses. Keep to familiar fruits and vegetables for the first few days while your system adjusts and to ensure you are maintain essentials levels of nutrients. Think about packing additional supplements.
5. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Risk
Sitting for extended periods during long-haul flights can increase the risk of developing blood clots, particularly deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the legs. To reduce this risk, it’s important to stand up and stretch or walk around periodically during the flight. Wearing compression socks and staying hydrated can also help. Post flight a light 10 minute yoga stretching session at your hotel before sleeping will promote lymphatic drainage, muscle release and resetting the nervous system for bones, muscles and joints.
6. Mental & emotional well-being
Travelling can be mentally stimulating and enriching, but it can also contribute to stress and anxiety. Navigating foreign environments, dealing with language barriers, or adapting to new customs can be overwhelming. For some people, travel also triggers feelings of isolation or homesickness. Preparing ahead and setting aside downtime can ease the mental strain.
Plan for recovery time once you return home to get your system back on track again.
