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Before you find yourself on an exotic beach or on the picturesque streets of an old town, you will have to spend several hours in the cabin. And these are swelling, back pain, stuffy ears … Experienced flight attendants told how to avoid these troubles.
For some, the plane itself is already a cause for stress. But even if you don’t suffer from aerophobia, a long flight is unlikely to inspire inspiration. It really can hardly be called a fun pastime: either the ears are blocked, or the legs swell, or someone in the cabin snores and interferes with sleep, or something else. How to make the journey from point A to point B a little more pleasant? Here’s what experienced flight attendants offer.
Create a comfortable environment
Not everyone can sleep on board an aircraft, but it’s real to relax during the flight. To do this, take on board things that will help you feel comfortable: a travel pillow, your favorite thin blanket or tippet, soft socks or slippers, headphones or earplugs.
Download your favorite film that calms you down: a romantic comedy or a calm melodrama without disturbing scenes, action and scary moments. Music is also better to choose a pleasant and relaxing.
Learn to deal with panic attacks
If you feel fear while flying, practice coping with it. To begin with, learn to determine which part of the body it fetters. Shoulders? Legs? Arms? What muscles have become stiff? Then take a deep breath, put your hand on your stomach and slowly relax the tight muscles. Repeat 5-10 times. To make the exercise “work” in the sky, practice it on the ground.
Meditate
A few free hours on board an airplane is a great opportunity to discover meditation. After all, it is not at all necessary to practice it while sitting on the floor with crossed legs. Close your eyes, abstract from the surrounding reality, breathe deeply and calmly. Beginners will find it easier to follow the instructions of the smartphone app.
A 15-minute practice will help restore strength, cope with anxiety, clear thoughts and normalize breathing, so it will be easier to fall asleep. You will feel a surge of energy, a feeling of calm and tranquility.
Dress comfortably
Avoid tight, overly warm or, conversely, overly revealing clothing. It is better to wear a T-shirt or top made of natural fabric, and on top of a sweater or jacket that can be removed on board. No tight jeans and belts that will put pressure on the stomach. And no heels.
But you will definitely need compression stockings or stockings. All flight attendants wear them. Compression tights help to avoid swelling and feeling of heaviness in the legs. Ideally, they should be put on at the airport before boarding the plane. Cooling gel with menthol can be applied to the shins. It is also very useful to start drinking dietary supplements or drugs that improve blood circulation and strengthen the walls of blood vessels a week before the flight. But be sure to check with your doctor first.
Move
Low cabin pressure slows blood circulation, which can lead to blood clots in the legs and affect the functioning of the lungs, brain, and heart. To stimulate circulation, try to get up every hour, stretch and walk around the salon. If in practice this cannot be done, at least perform rotational movements with the feet and hands, as well as tilting the head in different directions. And don’t cross your legs.
Give up alcohol
Firstly, at a height of its action is three times stronger. Secondly, it dehydrates the body, which already loses moisture during the flight. Thirdly, it can cause jetlag. The body, relaxed by the action of alcohol, is not able to quickly adjust to a new time zone.
Moisturize cells inside and out
Try to drink at least a glass of water every hour of the flight to compensate for the loss of moisture. But the water must be without gas. At altitude, air bubbles increase the fermentation processes in the body by 25%.
Thermal spray can be sprayed on the face and hair. Take along lip balm, eye gel and face cream in travel packs or samples. These products will save the skin from dryness and peeling.
Take care of your ears
Blocking your ears on landing? This is due to an increase in pressure. To prevent discomfort or get rid of them, if the ears are still blocked, the Valsalva method will help. Shut your mouth. Pinch your nose with your fingers. Forcefully exhale the air through the closed mouth and nose. Air enters the middle ear, the Eustachian tube opens, and internal and external pressures equalize.