Flying health
Air travel can be scary and draining, but you can make the experience more pleasant - and safe - by following these guidelines.
Fear and panic
Fear of flying is easily one of the most common phobias, and it's not hard to see why. You're high in the sky inside several tons of metal and it feels like there's nothing holding you up! However, the real likelihood of anything serious happening to you while you're inside a plane is actually very low, in fact it's more dangerous to cross the road than it is to be on a plane flight.
If you just have a few butterflies, take some deep breaths and tell yourself it'll be worth the stress because there's a fantastic holiday waiting at the end of it. Most people find that the journey to the airport, checking in, and takeoff are the scariest bits, and they soon feel better once they're further into the flight. Take your mind off it by reading something interesting or chatting to a sympathetic friend.
For some of us, the fear is much worse, even crippling. There can be insomnia leading up to the journey, panic attacks, or even a complete refusal to get onto a plane. There are several ways of improving this situation, including relaxation exercises, hypnosis, and a short course of sedatives prescribed by a doctor. There are also courses run by airports that aim to reduce your fears and allow you to cope better.
Motion sickness
The movement of the plane can make certain people feel really sick, and it's made worse if there is turbulence during the flight. Steer away from greasy foods (they slip back up as easily as they slipped down!), and sip some water if you can. There are several travel sickness remedies that can be bought over the counter in chemists, and they usually have to be taken about half-an hour before the flight begins, to give them time to kick in.
Popping ears
Changes in cabin pressure can really hurt the tubes inside your ears. Take some gum or boiled sweets in your hand luggage so you can chew them during takeoff and landing, and avoid flying with an ear infection wherever possible. You can also buy small plastic devices to pop into your ears during takeoff that claim to stop your ears popping.
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in one of the deep veins, often in the calf muscle. During a flight it is fairly uncommon, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored, as it may sometimes be fatal. Anyone with a family history of blood clots should be aware of the risk of DVT and consult their doctor before flying, and we all need to take measures to prevent them.
On long flights, make sure you get up out of your seat and walk around at regular intervals, to keep the blood in your legs moving around. Drink water to avoid dehydration, and stay off the alcohol and strong coffee. If you can't move around, at least try to wiggle your feet about every now and then. You can also buy special socks or stockings to wear from many chemists.
Jetlag
Nobody knows why some people suffer more than others from post-flight tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. However, it does seem to be made worse by very long flights, and consuming large quantities of caffeine and alcohol while in transit. The more time zones you cross, the worse it is, especially if you are travelling east. It seems to be a disturbance of the body's natural biorhythms.
Expect to feel a bit groggy for a day or two if you've got off a long flight, and plan some chilled out lazy time rather than being hectic. Some people say sleeping during the flight is very helpful to them, as is setting your watch to the correct time in the country of your destination as soon as you get on the plane. Try to follow standard mealtimes and waking up times, even if you really don't feel like it, and you'll fit into the new routine much faster.
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