So here are some tips on how to feel comfortable, whether on the plane or at your destination.
5 tips for a pleasant plane trip
Stay hydrated. The air in aeroplane cabins is dry, so you should drink plenty of water or soft drinks. Since the effects of alcohol are intensified at 30,000 feet, this is no way to start your vacation.
Move, move, move! Since you are going on a trip and not in prison, there is no reason to feel trapped in your seat. On flights longer than four hours, you should be moving every hour or so to prevent a host of inconveniences, such as stiff backs and numbness in the buttocks or, more seriously, venous thrombosis (a form of a severe clot) caused by prolonged immobility.
Make a good seat choice. Whether you need a window seat to lay your head down and sleep or an aisle seat so you can move around quickly, the less stress you experience during the flight, the better. The excellent Seatguru site shows you the interior layout of each plane and advises on seats to avoid (like non-reclining seats in front of the toilet).
Comfort is essential. Stilettos are not your friends in the air, nor are fitted jeans for that matter. Since the low pressure in the cabin causes your toes to swell and shoes are often taken off during long-haul flights, you will have difficulty putting your shoes back on after eight hours of flying. The same goes for fitted clothes. Wear something that will fit, not the other way around.
Bring antibacterial wipes. I don’t want to scare you with the horror stories that flight attendants tell but know that the management would not always approve the disinfection performed by cleaners of a hospital. It might be a good idea to clean the meal trays with an antibacterial wipe, and you might avoid putting anything in the pocket on the back of the seat in front of you (that’s where we store the bags for airsickness, you know?).
Did you arrive at your destination in good health? The question now is how to stay that way?
5 tips for staying healthy at destination
Get vaccinated. This advice is only for the adventurer who will be heading deep into the mosquito-infested jungles of Borneo. Since some types of hepatitis can surprise you in even the most upscale hotels, it’s a good idea to stop by a vaccination clinic to see what they recommend. And do not delay: this way, you can be on the lookout for any side effects and have time to receive the prescribed number of doses. For example, the vaccine against hepatitis A and B must be injected in several doses every few weeks.
Bring your medications. Of course, you will take your medicines with you, but also remember to take a note from your doctor explaining the nature of each of these prescriptions to avoid any problems at customs. Keep two separate lists of your medicine, one in digital form on your phone and one on paper in your suitcase, if you lose your medication or have it stolen. In addition to these medications, remember to bring medicines for diarrhoea or allergies since your body could poorly assimilate exotic food or water. When in doubt, do what the Canadian government’s A Good Start pamphlet recommends for food abroad: “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it alone.”
Drive safely. Year after year, traffic accidents are the prominent death cases among tourists. Poor road knowledge, driving on the opposite side, inferior running surface and fatigue from travel all contribute to accidents. If you choose to move abroad, cause even more carefully than home.
Respect your limits. If you’ve never done a significant hike in your life, climbing the high-altitude Machu Picchu is probably not the way to start. You may be ready for the adventure, but your body may not be, and you are more at risk of sustaining an injury. If a particular activity appeals to you, start preparing for it well before boarding the plane.
Protect yourself with travel insurance. This should be obvious because if you don’t follow any of the above four tips (and, sometimes, even if you follow them!), you’ll want to know that you’re covered, both medically and financially. Financial, through travel insurance.
Whether you are in the
