As we prepare for our upcoming journey to Europe, I’ve compiled a handy guide filled with my best strategies for enduring a long haul flight.
Few things are as unpleasant as arriving at your destination feeling completely drained and uncomfortable. Through the years, I’ve become devoted to certain routines that help me feel revitalized upon landing. Many of these tips also work wonders for minimizing jet lag.
At the conclusion, I’ll include a short list of essential items I always carry in my bag to ensure I remain as refreshed as possible.
Pre-Flight Workout
Before embarking on a long journey, prioritize squeezing in a workout if our schedule allows. Even a brief 10-minute bodyweight session or a quick 20-minute Peloton ride significantly helps us relax and unwind later during the flight.
At the very least, we walk laps around the airport to tire ourselves out. This approach will be even more important when we’re traveling with the girls this week.
Elevate Your Feet
I always make it a point to elevate my feet every evening, but I’m particularly diligent about it before a long flight to promote good circulation and avoid swollen feet.
Hydrate and Skip the Alcohol
After passing through security, I always buy the largest Smart Water I can find—and for long flights, I get two. I dehydrate easily on flights, so I’m obsessive about drinking enough water. You’ll often find me taking frequent walks to the flight attendants to ask for a glass of water, which also helps me stay active.
The allure of a free glass of boxed wine with dinner on international flights is strong, but it’s best to resist. Alcohol causes inflammation and
Pre-Flight Workout
Before embarking on lengthy travels, always try to squeeze in a workout if time permits. Even a brief 10-minute bodyweight exercise or a quick 20-minute Peloton session makes a world of difference in helping us relax and unwind once we’re airborne. At the very least, we walk laps around the airport to get ourselves as tired as possible. This strategy will be even more crucial when we’re traveling with the girls this week.
Elevate Your Feet
While I routinely elevate my feet every night, I’m especially diligent about this practice before a long flight to promote good circulation. Swollen feet are a definite no for me, so I make sure to keep my legs up as much as possible.
Stay Hydrated and Skip the Alcohol
I always purchase the largest Smart Water available at the airport after clearing security, and for extended flights, I buy two. Since I dehydrate easily on flights, I am adamant about drinking plenty of water. You’ll find me taking frequent walks to the flight attendants to request water, which also keeps me moving.
Though it’s tempting to accept the complimentary glass of boxed wine that often accompanies dinner on international flights, trust me, it’s not worth it. Alcohol causes inflammation and only exacerbates the discomfort of long flights. Additionally, it wreaks havoc on jet lag by disturbing your already disrupted hormones. I avoid alcohol entirely on travel days.
Go Fresh-Faced During the Flight
Although a touch of mascara might improve my travel selfies, I always go fresh-faced for long flights. Before “bedtime” on the plane, I wash my face in the bathroom and apply a thick moisturizer like Weleda to lock in hydration. I find the trend of wearing sheet masks on airplanes to be overkill. Instead, a good, thick moisturizer suffices for me.
Long Haul Flight Essentials
Sleeping Mask
This silk eye mask from Amazon is a game-changer for catching some shut-eye on flights. It effectively blocks out bathroom lights and the glow from the screen of the binge-watcher in front of you, making it much easier to drift off to sleep.
Magnesium + Electrolytes Powder Packets
Magnesium is excellent for muscle relaxation and maintaining regularity during long journeys. Electrolytes are essential for hydration. I’ve been mixing these magnesium and electrolyte powder packets from Recess into ice water every night and am packing plenty for our trip. The lemon flavor is fantastic and not overly sweet, which I really appreciate.
AG1 Travel Packets
Tyler and I are both avid fans of AG1, so we’re bringing a stash of travel packs on this trip. I’ll definitely be taking some during the flight to keep my gut healthy and supplement any nutritional gaps from airplane meals. (If you’re interested in trying AG1, use my link to get a bottle of vitamin D3/K12 drops and five travel packs with your first box!).
Kindle
I alternate between physical books and my Kindle at home, but for this trip, I’m only bringing the Kindle. It’s lightweight and can be held with one hand, perfect for reading while a sleeping toddler is on your lap. Watching too many movies on flights can make it hard for me to sleep, so I plan to read as much as possible before bedtime.
Face Mist
The dry cabin air can really dry out your skin, leaving it dull and dehydrated. I always have a face mist in my carry-on to counteract this. It also helps to refresh me after a restless in-flight nap. I highly recommend this mineral water mist from Avène and the refreshing aloe spray from Mario Badescu.
Collagen Eye Pads
These collagen and green tea eye pads from Amazon are a lifesaver for a quick hydration boost when you’re feeling worn out. I keep them in my carry-on and then store them in our hotel or Airbnb fridge for a cooling effect.