Fly the Healthy Skies

As a busy planner, you probably spend a good amount of time in the air. While flying is a quick way to reach your destination, it can also wreak havoc on your body from a physical, mental and, of course, aesthetic standpoint. To help you survive your next trip, we’ve rounded up some of the best advice for stress-free travel.

Beating the Germs

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Research, you may be more than 100 times as likely to catch a cold on a plane as in your normal day.

“The re-circulated air on flights can contribute to respiratory disorders like the common cold, influenza and even SARS,” says Jeffrey Jahre, chief of medicine and an infectious disease and travel medicine specialist at St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa. “There is no surefire way to prevent the inhalation of those germs, but you may want to avoid sitting in close proximity to others with cold symptoms — this may require asking to change your seat at the last minute if possible.”

Germs are one of the top sources of viral infections, according to the National Institutes of Health. Wearing a paper mask may be the best possible way to avoid germs, but can be uncomfortable and certainly isn’t fashionable, says Jahre. What to do? “Simple practices like thorough hand washing or using disposable wipes, as well as avoiding touching your mouth, nose and eyes, will help prevent germs from spreading,” he says.

Vitamin ‘Z’

Maintaining a healthy regime plays a major role in staying healthy. For one, it’s very important to get your Z’s.

“Many times people work late to complete assignments and to pack prior to a trip, and may get less sleep than normal,” says Jahre. “As a result, they end up at the destination already fatigued, which makes them even more susceptible to fatigue and jetlag. Eight hours of sleep is recommended for optimal immunity functions prior to travel and will help combat jetlag.”

Sleeping during the flight will also help you feel refreshed upon landing.

“I always use a neck pillow, which helps me to fall asleep a lot easier,” says Brittney Lipsett of Save the Date Event Consultants LLC in New York City.

To make sleeping easier, Jahre also recommends avoiding caffeine and alcohol. “Drink hot soup or use whatever other mechanism helps you to relax and unwind,” he notes. “If you normally read before bedtime, read on the plane to emulate your bedtime routine at home as closely as possible.”

Eat Well, Feel Good

A healthy eating regimen is key. “Three balanced meals are recommended to nourish your body, to fight infection and to provide the energy needed for the extra stimulation of travel,” says Jahre. “Avoid high-carbohydrate and high-sugar foods, as well as heavy meals, as they cause a fluctuation in blood sugar levels and may cause intestinal bloating and achy muscles.”

“Always take a healthy snack along,” advises Tia Hall, an independent consultant and meeting planner in Columbus, Ohio. “It’s difficult to find healthy alternatives at the airport. SkyMeals [are] a great solution. It’s a way to order a healthy and heart-smart meal that is delivered in a convenient travel cooler to your hotel prior to your departure. This is a great service to offer your VIPs and guests.” (The company’s website is www.skymeals.com.)
“I eat light on board and for the first few days I arrive to my destination,” says Stella Inserra, an event planner with Simply Dazzling Events in New York City. “Vegetables and fresh fruit help to keep me hydrated while in flight. Once I arrive, I dine on light, protein-based meals like grilled chicken and fish to help me stay alert. Carbohydrates and starches will make me sleepy, so I stay away from items like pasta, bread and rice.”

And don’t forget exercise. “Travelers should exercise prior to a trip, and as much as you can during and on the trip,” recommends Jahre. “Doing isometric exercises on the plane, particularly involving calf muscles, will help reduce jetlag as well as bolster the immune system and increase circulation.”

High Security, Low Stress

Airline travel can be stressful, especially in the post-9/11 era, so take a few simple steps to make your flight less stressful.

“I carry on my entire luggage whenever possible,” says Hall. “Learning how to pack efficiently and plan outfits that are interchangeable, including shoes, is the key to packing light.”

For quick packing, Hall recommends keeping cosmetics and toiletries for travel set aside in your home. “This makes it quick and easy to get ready for a trip — just grab and go,” she says.

She also suggests wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off, an outfit that doesn’t require a belt and smaller jewelry that won’t set off sensors to facilitate your trip through the security line.

Looking your Best

Traveling healthy is essential to feeling refreshed, and will also help with your appearance, but sometimes it takes a little extra effort to look good after a long flight.
A study by the Epidermal and Sensory Research and Investigation Centre in Paris found that in-flight humidity was only 8 percent on average, while 20 percent is considered comfortable. The study even found that the moisture in women’s cheeks dropped by 20 percent and in their foreheads by 15 percent, so don’t forget to take along a good moisturizer.

“I apply long-wearing makeup before going to the airport and use a heavier face moisturizer to reduce the effects of the dry air on the plane,” says Inserra. “To feel relaxed from departure to arrival, I always wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.”

“I also find pre-packaged makeup wipes, cleansing cloths and blotting papers invaluable to maintaining my beauty routine during travel,” she adds.

She must be doing something right, because she’s able to look and feel fresh despite her hectic schedule, as a recent experience shows.

“I had just wrapped shooting four consecutive days for an episode of one of the reality wedding shows,” she explains. “Each shoot day entailed a two-hour drive to and from the shoot location. The day after the shoot wrapped, I had to fly to one of the islands in the Caribbean for a weekend wedding I was coordinating. I had to look revived and ready to roll. I cut out the caffeine and was drinking plenty of water during the four-day shoot. During the flight, I took a power nap, and at the hotel I took a hot shower and I dined on light, protein-based meals throughout the weekend. All the while, I continuously replenished my fluids with water. It’s amazing how well your body responds when you take care of it!”