5 Steps to Healthier Flying

We have all been there, sitting on an airplane, awaiting departure, and the person next to you coughs or sneezes. We panic, feel defeated, get irritated, and immediately think, “Oh great, now I am going to get sick.” If not this scenario, most of us have at one time or another prior to flying, whether earlier in the day or sometime during the week before, thought about the potential of getting sick while flying on the airplane. Don’t fret, you are not alone

However, unless you have no desire to travel by plane, or have the means to charter your own flight every time you travel, while you can’t control and eliminate the risk of getting sick, one thing you can do is mitigate and take precautionary steps to lessen the risk.

Here are five key things you should do while you are flying aboard an aircraft.

1) Wash your nose: Now you might be wondering what you mean by wash your nose. We all have been raised with the constant pestering to brush our teeth and wash our hands. But did you know that in fact our noses are dirtier than both? A majority of times common colds, ear infections, and upper respiratory infections actually start in the nose. While it is important to wash your nose while on the ground, it is even more important to do it when in the sky aboard an aircraft. When you fly, your nasal passages dry out, reducing moisture in your nose, which boosts your body’s germ-flushing/fighting system. Washing your nose is very easy, pain free and full of benefits. You can use a saline nasal spray made by Xlear which is non-medicated and xylitol-based which makes it all natural. Simply spray 2-3 pumps in each nostril about thirty minutes before your flight and you will immediately begin to feel the moisture in your passages increase, again reducing the chances of bacteria building up in flight.

2) Stay Well Hydrated: It’s as easy as it sounds. Drink water, and lots of it. Coffee while it has its benefits of giving you a boost of energy on those early morning flights, actually dehydrates you overall. Remember above we discussed the importance of flushing out and reducing the buildup of bacteria…well drinking water keeps the mucus membranes in the nose and throat moist and gives you the ability to better fight off germs.

3) Open Your Air Vent: Yes, we know most times of the year an airplane can be a cold place, unless its dead of summer and you are delayed on the tarmac because of a thunderstorm. And we know the airline cools the cabin in order to sell us a blanket. Well, you have control of one of the best ways to stay healthy and that is by simply opening the vent above your seat. Yes you might feel a bit chilly at times. However, the air coming out of that vent is the cleanest air onboard the aircraft and is the best way you can improve your ability to intake clean and filtered air. And as an added benefit, the blowing air can help push away the germs that might be in your direct vicinity or ones that are a gift from your fellow passengers.

4) Use Hand Sanitizer: So earlier we told you to wash your nose and now it’s time to make sure that we reduce the chance of germs making their way onto your hands and then to your nose or mouth. This is very easy to do and you want to pack disinfectant wipes to wipe down armrests, tray-tables, armrest controls and seat television systems. We do this because planes are turned around very quickly between flights and they do not have the time to wipe down everything to prevent germs from the last passenger who sat in your seat to pass it along to you. Now that your immediate seating area is clean, remember to always use a paper towel as a toilet seat cover, flush the toilet, and open the bathroom door to exit. And of course, wash your hands!

5) Get Up and Stretch: Oh the beloved window seat, so great to fall asleep on the long flights but next to impossible to leave your seat without disrupting those sitting in your row. Well your health should take priority over the potential of your seatmate being upset. And once in the aisle, stretch, stretch, and stretch. Don’t worry about looking silly. Simply focus on maintaining good blood circulation and stretching the muscles, which have become dormant while sitting in an often cramped place for an extended period of time. If you are one of those people who simply feel too guilty to awake the person next to you, simply do basic stretches in your seat and be sure to include your ankles, knees, arms, feet and neck.

Now that you have taken these 5 important steps, sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight!