If you ever had to spend more than 10 hours on a plane, you know that although it can be one of the fastest ways to travel, it can be extremely tiring—long-haul flights most especially. But since flying has been a part of modern living, the best thing you can do is equip yourself with these simple tricks from those who travel frequently:
Make yourself as comfortable as possible
And don’t be afraid to spend a little more for your comfort. This starts before you even board the plane. Make sure you reserve your seat online as there’s nothing worse than being stuck in the middle seat, fighting for decent elbow room. Pick a seat beforehand so you’re sure you’re not at the back of the plane or next to the bathroom. Most airlines charge extra for this, but if you’re flying 20 hours, it’s worth it.
Wear your most comfortable pair of jeans and shoes. If you can wear something nice and loose, especially around the waist and neck area, it will benefit you in the long run. Remember that you will be sitting for hours, there’s no reason to bring out your flashiest designer clothes. Cabin temperatures can also vary during your flight, so it’s best to have ways to keep you warm or cool without changing your clothes. Take it from Kim Kardashian. Marie Claire notes that Kim likes to travel with her own silk pillow to prevent any marks on her skin and any damage to her hair. Next time you travel, bring a silk pillow along with some earplugs, and an eye mask, too. The more personal comforts you have the smoother your flight will be.
Bring your own entertainment
Take your favourite read with you—two books max. You can also bring an eBook reader or a portable gaming console if you don’t have enough room in your luggage. Not all flights provide you with a good source of entertainment. Bring your own chargers and power supplies, too, in case the plane is old and doesn’t have ports for charging gadgets. Crossword puzzles and books are also great ways to pass the time. Don’t bring huge laptops and try not to work so your mind doesn’t feel overwhelmed with deadlines and work stress during the flight.
Bring some of your favourite snacks with you, too. It’s smarter and healthier not to rely on in-flight snacks for all your food. Supermodel Miranda Kerr wrote on Well and Good that she likes to travel with her own batch of home-made protein balls—she stays away from in-flight alcohol, too so her skin doesn’t get dry and dehydrated.
Get relaxed before the flight
No matter how physically exhausting flying is, it’s still a good time to get some peace and quiet. Since you’re forced to sit for hours, the best way to make it bearable is to enjoy doing nothing. Take it from tennis champion Serena Williams. Williams told Travel and Leisure she likes sitting in one place, moving her legs, and then falling asleep. Even the rich and famous find the time to just sit still. However, Williams’ travel routine has since changed when she had her daughter and admittedly, she said she doesn’t have any tricks yet when it comes to calming her down during long flights, but she’s steadily learning. Since becoming a mom, Williams has been offering encouragement and bits of parenting advice through her social media accounts. Lottoland’s infographic on inspirational athletes details how Serena Williams has over 9 million Twitter followers—most of which laud her for being honest about what it’s really like to be a mom and a sports icon. Not even the rich and famous are spared from the boredom (and cramps) of a long-haul flight. But instead of dreading every trip, use it as a time to relax and be away from the stress of life on the ground.
Pack well
We consider ourselves travel experts and on Toronto Caribbean, we laid out how you can pack your things more efficiently. This includes leaving excess makeup, accessories, or pieces of jewellery at home and rolling your clothes instead of folding them. This will make your travel a lot easier and less stressful.
