It is always best to prepare your body for long-distance travel. Food, immunity, stress and recovery are important factors to address.
Before Travel
1. Try to get eight hours’ sleep each night for at least three nights before you travel.
2. Take one melatonin tablet (1-3 mg) two to three nights before you travel to prepare your body for a different time zone.
3. Take the following supplements for a week prior to flying, to keep your blood thin and help avoid blood clots on the plane: two evening primrose oil capsules a day, vitamin E (250 IU) once a day and B6 (100 mg) once a day if you suffer from fluid retention.
On The Plane
1. Do not eat junk food. Pre-order vegetarian meals or fruits, because they are lighter on the digestion.
2. Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
3. Avoid alcohol, because it is very dehydrating. If you decide to drink alcohol on the plane, stick to a spirit mixed with soda or tonic water and drink two glasses of water for every glass of alcohol.
4. Stretch and move about every few hours to aid circulation, and make sure that while you are sitting you do the foot exercises encouraged by the airlines to prevent blood clots.
5. Airlines usually keep eucalyptus and peppermint inhalants on board, which help blocked sinuses and your respiratory system, so ask for these if you feel blocked, especially when landing.
6. You can take along a Vicks inhalant and use it to help equalise the pressure in your airways, and so prevent pain and ear problems.
7. Try to sleep on the plane; a melatonin tablet or a herbal combination of valerian, passionflower, calcium and vervain may help.
8. Do not wear make-up when flying; this will allow your skin to breathe. Use a rich night moisturiser on your face and hands to prevent your skin drying out.
9. Take as little as possible on the plane with you. Remember, you have to carry it and a heavy load can add to the fatigue and frustration of jet lag.
10. Take a good book – preferably one you have started to read before the trip and can’t put down. So many people quickly buy a new book at the airport and don’t like their choice once they begin reading.
11. Try to relax and enjoy the trip, whether it is for business or a holiday.
The Arrival
If you are going straight to bed when you arrive at your destination, follow these steps:
1. Take a long, hot bath, preferably with a cup of Epsom salts added, which will help you sleep. Adding 6-8 drops of lavender oil will also help you relax.
2. Stretch for ten minutes before bed.
3. Take a melatonin tablet (not more than 3 mg) ten minutes before bed. Continue one tablet a day for three to four days to help your body adjust its time clock. (You may take it for longer – seven to ten days – if you like.)
4. If you do not like taking melatonin, take two valerian tablets and one calcium tablet (500-1000 mg) to help you sleep.
5. Drink a cup of loose-leaf organic chamomile tea.
6. If you haven’t eaten properly on the plane and are hungry, have a simple vegetable soup (no spices). Avoid bread, cheese, black tea, coffee or green tea, because these may keep you awake.
7. You may wish to watch television to help you relax, but avoid anything violent or the news; choose instead a gentle program or listen to some classical music.
While You Are Away
These will keep your energy levels high and your immune system healthy, as well as help relieve jet lag.
1. Take one antioxidant tablet (60-100 mg) a day.
2. If your skin is dry and you are travelling to a cold climate, take two evening primrose oil capsules a day.
3. Magnesium assists muscles and prevents cramping, so take one to two tablets a day if you are walking a lot, sightseeing or skiing.
4. Take one multivitamin tablet containing B vitamins, iron and folic acid a day for energy and to make up for any depletions while travelling.
By following these recommendations, your body will not only have more energy, but you will keep it healthy as well.