You’re packed and ready to go on your vacation. The flight is long, but you’re excited to get there. Finally, after what seems like endless waiting in line, you board your flight and begin the journey towards the destination that has been at the forefront of your mind for months.

Once you land in paradise, you are faced with a new environment that’s warm and relaxed. So take a trip down to the beach or out into town for dinner as soon as you can. Not only will it make great holiday photos, but also getting used to your surroundings is important when it comes to adapting to time differences.

For many people traveling brings about anxiety or stress due to the change of environment. Of course, the body experiences these emotions as well, but more importantly, it also brings about many changes physically, which can affect you in very unpleasant ways.

Types Of Physical Changes

Jet Lag

Did you know that each cell in your body has its own internal clock? So essentially, there are millions of biological clocks running inside your body, each with its own rhythm and settings.

You may think that having a few hours less or more sleep would be okay, but constant jet lag can also increase your chance of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes as well as reducing the effectiveness of treatments such as chemotherapy.

Back Pain

Sitting in the most comfortable chair for hours will have you feeling a twinge of pain but an airplan seat that you can’t even recline in coach? It is modern day torture. and this is reason enough to rethink flying nonstop.

When you travel to another time zone, all these different cells get out of sync and create confusion for your whole system, including metabolic activity. This causes fatigue, irritability, insomnia, gastrointestinal pain, headaches, and even forgetfulness. Should you experience bodily pains, it is highly recommended to see a local Chiropractic Care to help!

Dehydration and Constipation

The climate in airplanes is controlled and cleaned with HEPA filtration continuously throughout the flight . All of this mixed with the altitude dries out your skin and you internally. Long flights can cause a large amount of water to be pulled from your body to keep the humidity down inside the cabin. Drawing all the moisture out of everything in the cabin will keep you from having your dewy skin and regular bathroom appointments.

Time Zone Effects On Kids

Not only does this affect adults, but children too. If you have ever traveled to a different time zone with a child, you know how difficult it is for them, especially when trying to sleep. It makes them very irritable and generally unpleasant to be around because their internal clock has been disrupted so much. In addition, sleep deprivation in children may lead to behavioral problems, difficulty focusing on tasks, and even an increased risk of obesity.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Another common issue that comes from traveling long distances by plane is deep vein thrombosis DVT which affects many people regardless of age. It is caused by the combination of immobility and pressure changes over large periods of time, which can lead to blood clots forming. DVT mainly affects your lower body just like swelling would, but in extreme cases, it can break off and move through your bloodstream all the way to your lungs – this is called a pulmonary embolism.

Panic Attacks

I admit it, I am not a good passenger. The fear of heights and flying make me very nervous. But i have done it to get where I have to go. The symptoms of my panic raises my blood pressure and my heat races and my throat becomes the Sahara. I have been fortunate enough before to fly with friends or family which wokrs really well too.

Possible Natural Remedies

Take a Walk

Try walking for at least 30 minutes every day after arriving at your destination because it stimulates your metabolism so much more than normal sitting positions do. It also works to aid digestion after a good meal so take a walk around your destination, check out the shops, look for your after dinner dessert and shoot some photos.

Hydration

Keep hydrated throughout long flights, but don’t drink too much water either. When the plane takes off and lands, get up and walk around to get your blood flowing – it will prevent any possible clots from forming.

To keep yourself closer to normal you’ll need to consume sufficient water during the flight and afterwards to replenish you from the inside out and a high fiber low sugar meal after landing. Also to keep your skin from getting parched mist your skin and use products containing hyaluronic acid then seal the moisture in with good facial oil for a flight longer than three hours.

Compression Socks

Knee length or crew length compression socks can help keep your blood flowing and avoid clotting. In addition to taking walks every hour during the flight. Just make sure that the socks aren’t squeezing too tightly. The prices range from $10 USD to $30 USD for a pack of six.

Melatonin

I wouldn’t suggest you use Melatonin regularly because you can become dependent and cause insomina from overuse. But for periodic use Melatonin at the right dose will give you a good night sleep to ease the effects of jet lag and insomnia. My favorite brands are plant formulas ans those that have calming effect of theanine to get your cicadian rhythms back on track.

Distractions

When I fly I have my routine to keep me distracted and calm during a flight. I listen to calming music, I use deep breathing exercises, read and tap naps during my flight to make it through. Next flight I take Iwill be adding CBD in some form like gummies or oil to help me get as zen as possible.

Avoiding the Effects of Travel on Your Body

Even if you do everything in your power to prevent problems while traveling, there’s no way of telling what kind of difficulties may arise (especially when it comes to health). That is why having health insurance is useful because it helps absorb the costs associated with unexpected illnesses while abroad.

Regardless of whether you’re going on a holiday or moving for good, protecting yourself while traveling is important because getting sick can be very expensive; this goes for any place in the world. So prepping with these tips can make the trip a happy one instead of something that you need to recover from.

Are any of these tips on your agenda when you fly? Do you have any to add? Let me know in the comments below and happy flying on your next trip!

Until our next rendezvous…

XOXO

Trudy