Tips on fighting in-flight fatigue

Trans-atlantic and trans-world flights today are as normal as taking a Sunday afternoon drive. The world became a smaller place and international boundaries are actually non-existing. Most of the times it takes a person longer to get at an airport from his house than the actual flight would take.

But, there is one thing that can not be changed, even with the most advance scientific research; that is in-flight fatigue. Frequent flyers are still struggling with this phenomenon and it seems a total cure is not on the books for some time to come.

What is in-flight fatigue? It is basically the physiological processes that happen to your body when you fly. It can be described as follows:

• The central blood vessels in your legs can be compressed making it more difficult for the blood to get back to the heart.
• The long inactivity of your body muscles in a seated position can result in muscle tension, backaches or a feeling of excessive fatigue – during or even after the flight.
• The cramped position inhibits the normal body mechanism returning fluid to the heart but the gravity can cause the fluid to collect in your feet. This results in swollen feet after a long flight.

But, at least there are some tips you could follow during a flight to counter or alleviate in-flight fatigue. The following is some health tips which could be followed during the duration of the flight and it is solely aimed at improving the blood circulation:

1. Exercise your legs at regular intervals to improve blood circulation. An example is to alternate the stretching and flexing of the feet.
2. Deep-breathing exercises are recommended.
3. Short walks preferably once every two hours are a must. Just remember to adhere to security rules of the airplane and do not annoy other passengers.
4. Increase your normal intake of water or even soft drinks before and during the flight. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages.
5. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes made from natural fibres.
6. Make sure your shoes can handle expanding ankles and swollen feet.
7. Always set your watch to the time of your destination so your body has the length of the flight to adjust to this new reality.
8. Walk as much as you can once you arrived at your destination – it would help to get the circulation to normal in quicker time.
9. Scrub your body vigorously in a shower or bath to dislodge any unwanted built-up in the body.
10. Take a short nap on arrival to revive yourself.

Very important, it is your duty and responsibility to seek medical advice before a long flight, should you suffer from any serious medical condition. Only when your medical practitioner give you a clean bill of health or prescribe some medical action to be followed, you should embark on a flight. In all cases, pack your medicines, homeopathic and prescribed, and a bottle of mineral water in your on-board hold-all in order to be prepared for an emergency.

Follow the basic tips for on-flight exercises and preparedness and may be your flight would be less physical demanding. Enjoy!

 Hendrik