Tips on How to Recover From Long Haul Flights
Beat the jet lag, recover faster and get exploring sooner!
Flying is exciting! Your imagination loves the concept of going somewhere new. Your body on the other hand? Not so much. Sitting on your butt for 13+ hours can take a toll on you. The cabin pressure and lack of fresh oxygen can wreak havoc on your gut, sinuses, nervous system and overall health.
Now that I base mostly in Cape Town, SA, I have become a pro at recovering from long haul flights since almost all my flights are 7+ hours. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a bit of a health freak. That’s why I’ve gathered my personal expert tips so you can beat the jet lag and explore ASAP.
Tip # 1: Drink 3.5 liters of water during your flight. Minimum.
The dryness of the cabin pressure will dehydrate you inside and out like a raisin. I feel like I am in the cast of Les Miserables asking for a cup of water like a peasant. Please sir, may I have another 300 cups of water? Drink at least 4 liters of water DURING your flight. Pick up a few liters before you board and make it your mission to finish them all. Trust me, your skin will thank you.
Tip#2: Take probiotics and avoid dairy products for a few days
Ever notice your tummy getting bloated after a long haul flight? Flying throws your gut microbiome way off. Treat your belly right by taking probiotics that are at least 3 Billion CFUs and take the probiotics continuously throughout your trip. They will also help your body digest foreign food easier. I recommend pills and not liquid as it’s easier to travel with.
Tip#3: Get a post flight massage that focuses on your legs
Try booking a massage for the same day/evening if possible (or next day) to allow for lymphatic drainage in the body and get the therapist to focus on draining your legs. We build up a lot of fluid on long haul flights which causes water retention and puffyness. Sometimes a workout is not enough to get rid of the water but a good massage will do the trick. This will help flush out water retention, promote blood flow and prevent clotting.
Tip#4: Go for a brisk walk outdoors
Not gonna lie. I hate going for a walk after a long haul flight, however it does help to stimulate blood flow in the legs and get rid of some of that water retention. Don’t feel like you need to go for a power walk. 30 minutes will do. The action of hitting your feet against the sidewalk/pavement helps to drain the lymphatic system, which is essential after a flight.
Tip#5: Swim in the ocean, not a pool
Going somewhere warm and exotic? Get your ass in the ocean immediately! The ocean/sea triggers our parasympathetic nervous system which is a state that allows your heart rate and blood pressure to lower. Swimming in the ocean or the sea also means absorbing magnesium in the body and having the best sleep of your life that night. Swimming in a natural body of water is far superior to swimming in a pool consisting of chemicals.
Tip#6: Take a gentle online yoga class
Sometimes we are just too tired to do ANYTHING after being crammed like a can of tuna on a long haul flight. That’s when I turn to yoga. No need to sweat or feel like you’re getting a workout. The goal is to allow the muscles to release tension, allow for the joints to release built up air, and for the spine to twist and bend. If you get off the plane and straight into bed, you might risk staying misaligned. Just 10-20 mins of gentle yoga stretches will do you wonders and get those joints cracking!
Tip#7: Opt for a healthy meal filled with proteins and carbs
You may feel like you sat on your butt and that you don’t deserve the calories, but you are wrong. Traveling is super stressful and almost always induces some levels of anxiety, which in turn, burns tons of calories. After a long haul mission, you need to eat healthy carbs so you can recover faster. Opt for sweet potatoes, normal potatoes, rice, quinoa or even sourdough bread. Eat fresh fruit (not fruit juice, eat the whole fruit), any protein you like and finish with a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea.
