Planning a journey to a far-flung destination? If so, you'll need to prepare for the many discomforts that can come with a long-haul flight. From avoiding dehydration to how to get some sleep, here are some great tips to help you wing it the next time you go further afield.
Drink plenty of water
The air in the cabin can get dry and this means that it's very easy to get dehydrated. To avoid this, it's essential to drink plenty of fluids throughout the flight. It's a wise idea to bring along some sachets of electrolyte solution with you – this will nip any impending dehydration in the bud and keep your hydration levels nice and balanced.
Bring a travel pillow
This one simple item can make or break your flight, dictating whether you can get some sleep or not. The Travel Pillow will give your head something to rest on so that you avoid the awful crick in the neck syndrome that can happen otherwise. It will cushion your head comfortably so that you can drift off in peace, something that is usually very hard to do if you're in an aisle seat or a middle seat. Opt for one that's good quality and made from soft, comfortable material.
Ear plugs
Another excellent way to make sure you get some shut eye on your long-haul flight. Ear plugs will help to drown out all the background noise that may otherwise keep you awake for hours on end. The screaming child in the seat in front of you will no longer bother you with a pair of these at your disposal.
Eye mask
On a long-haulflight, you can expect to be travelling through several different time zones and that means it can be tricky to predict when it will be dark and when it will be bright. In addition, sometimes there will be bright cabin lights on at night time, especially when the cabin crew are doing their rounds. Solution: wear an eye mask to shut out the pesky sunlight and help you drift into a deep sleep. This is also a great visual sign for people to leave you undisturbed!
Entertainment
Finally, if you're not going to be sleeping for the duration of the flight, make sure you have brought sufficient entertainment with you to last the journey. This means a Kindle stuffed with decent books, magazines and an iPod filled with interesting podcasts. Don't forget you'll also have the in-flight entertainment, but don't rely on this solely in case there's nothing on it to your taste.
Good luck! What are your favourite ways to get through a long-haul flight? Let us know in the comments.
Nguyen An Tra My
Martin Wynn
