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How to Prepare to Go Up In The Air: Nourishing Self Care for the Long Flight Abroad
Date: March 2nd 2009

The following article was kindly written for Hills of Africa Travel by our friend Vicki Heise, Founder of Live Your Healthy Life. Vicki is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and will help you discover the lifestyle choices that work best for you in making gradual, lifelong changes for your healthy life. To contact Vicki please see "Live Your Healthy Life" or call her on 614 735-3375. Thank you Vicki, for helping our clients and all travelers to Prepare for Going Up In The Air.

Congratulations! You’re getting ready to fly away on the trip of your dreams!

As you start planning and making a list of what to take with you, don’t forget to plan for that long plane ride. It can make your flight more enjoyable and make a difference in how you feel after you land.

Common complaints from travelers include swollen ankles, upset stomachs and stiffness. So what can you do to help minimize or eliminate these side effects?

What You Drink Really Does Matter
Air inside planes is extremely dry. A few days before your flight start drinking water to replace alcohol, coffee, tea and soda. These drinks can dry your insides out. Tell the flight attendant “no thank you” to these during the flight - keep drinking water to stay hydrated. Enjoy that cocktail or coffee after you’ve landed. If you have any concerns about the safety of the water on board, buy bottled water after going through the security checkpoint.

Eat Light to Enjoy The Flight
Traveling and not being on your regular schedule can be stressful. So eat light during the flight. Bring easy to pack, nutritious foods with you. Pick your favorites, like unsalted nuts, dried/fresh fruit, cut up veggies, cheese, whole grain crackers/snack bars and dark chocolate. Mix together nuts, dried fruit and dark chocolate chips for a treat! If your stomach starts to growl, dream about the wonderful meals you will be enjoying at your destination.

Tip for Your Tummy
For upset stomachs and to alleviate motion sickness symptoms, consider packing some dried pieces of ginger. You can now find bags of individually wrapped pieces at health food stores and many grocery stores.

Wiggle in Your Seat - Dance in the Aisle
Seriously! Sitting for long periods causes blood to not circulate as well as it should. To avoid the complications this can cause, move. Tighten your back end muscles and release, stretch your legs under the seat and flex your feet, bend your knees and raise your feet up and down off the floor, do anything that you can think of to not stay in the same position. Stand up, walk up and down the aisle, hop, dance, do anything that gets your blood circulating. Do this often, especially on a long flight.

Then sit back and enjoy your flight!

Disclaimer: Be sure to check with your physician before your trip if you have any health issues or concerns. These tips do not replace advise from your health care providers. The content and information contained in this article are for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or prescribe forms of treatment.

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