5 great tips to make long distance travel easier
Do yourself a favour and take some of the pain out of your next long trip.
1. Plan ahead
In the days leading up to a long flight or extended car trip, there are a few things you can do to ensure your body is in tip top condition. Stay away from heavy or spicy foods so that your stomach won’t be playing up. Drink plenty of water so that you’ll be hydrated and stay away from alcohol so you’re not nursing a hangover. Make sure you get plenty of rest (especially if you’re going to be the one driving) so you’re raring to go when travel day arrives.
2. Pack plenty of entertainment
Boredom is your number one enemy during long distance travel. Stock up on books and magazines, download some new music or podcasts, and charge up your iPad. If you’re flying, you should have a seatback entertainment screen but you never know when these are going to be down, making for a dull flight. If you don’t want to carry all your heavy books home again, think about donating them or leaving them in a hotel library.
3. Do your exercises
Sitting still in a small airplane or car seat can wreak havoc on your body, so make sure you get moving. A few basic stretches in your seat or walking laps around the aisles can make all the difference. Exercise is also one of the best ways to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can cause deadly blood clots, usually developing in the leg. Airline inflight magazines will usually list some preventative moves you can try.
4. Dress appropriately
Loose, stretchy clothing in light, breathable fabrics are your friends for long distance travel. You don’t want to be stuck sitting for hours in a tight, uncomfortable outfit for hours at a time. Black or other dark colours are best for hiding the inevitable in-travel spills. You can also look into compression socks which will assist with blood flow and can also help prevent DVT. Keep a pair in your carry on and slip them on once you’ve boarded your flight.
5. Bring comfort supplies
In the good old days of air travel, you would be given a pillow and blanket, and maybe even an eye mask and ear plugs. Nowadays, you’ll need to be organised and bring your own. Make up your own comfort pack of a blow up travel pillow, light blanket or large scarf, and basic toiletries (especially a toothbrush) to keep with you. An eye mask and ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones can be lifesavers when it comes to getting some sleep and also help regulate your circadian rhythms by restricting light.
What tips would you suggest?