FLIGHT EXERCISES AND STRETCHES YOU CAN DO AT 30,000 FEET
Aches and discomfort experienced in-flight are common complaints of travelers, but now you can breeze through the flight with these few tricks-of-the-trade so that you can feel fresh and ready for your next adventure
Let your dreams take flight as you embark on your next long-awaited vacation to end off this decade on a high. This is the time of the year where you dive in a Christmas feast at your favourite restaurant, or hop on a flight to a shopping spree in Japan.
Before you step foot on that beautiful destination, you will likely find yourself being scrunched in an uncomfortable seat with minimal legroom for hours. Aches and discomfort experienced in-flight are common complaints of travelers, but now you can breeze through the flight with these few tricks-of-the-trade so that you can feel fresh and ready for your next adventure.
Stay Hydrated
As humidity level drops in the cabin, your body will require more water to carry out essential functions. Simple acts such as blinking your eyes and breathing do cause your body to lose water.
Hence, it is important for you to drink up every hourly during your flight to prevent your body from being dehydrated which might lead to fatigue, increased heart rate and a decreased blood pressure.
The changes in air pressure in the cabin might cause you to feel bloated due to the expansion of gas in your stomach and intestines, so avoid that greasy burger or caffeinated drink that might worsen the symptoms and cause further dehydration.
Take a Walk Down The Aisle
Sitting in the same posture for a long period of time can lead to poor blood circulation which explains why some of us might experience discomfort in our body upon landing. Taking a walk in the cabin increases our body’s blood flow and helps to improve blood circulation. For your upcoming flight, keep in mind to book an aisle seat!
Light Stretches at Your Seat
Of course, if the seatbelt sign is turned on, do fasten your seatbelt and stay in your seat for safety reasons. Here’s how you can combat the in-flight aches with few simple stretches on your seat:
Wrist Stretches: Position your left arm straight with your palm facing up. Using your right hand, pull your left hand towards your body and feel the stretch in your wrist as well as your fore arm. The wrist stretches are beneficial to alternate between wrist flexors and wrist extensors to help mitigate some tightness and tension on the hands and wrist. In addition, it also helps activate blood circulation in your arms.
T-Spine Rotation: Sit upright with your feet shoulder width apart. Without moving your hips, twist your upper body to the left or right. Stay in this position for five seconds. Sitting in the same position throughout the flight is known to be detrimental towards your spine mobility hence doing a couple of rotation stretches on your T-spine helps you to regain some mobility. In addition, this exercise helps you trunk your muscles to move and help overall hydration and blood circulation.
Ankle Roll: Lift your toes off the ground and in a clockwise direction, rotate your feet at the ankle for ten times. Repeat this routine in an anti-clockwise direction. Majority of the people experience swelling upon landing. Carrying out some active stretches through the ankle and calf area helps in reducing swelling. Apart from that, this exercise helps in moving fluids around, improves blood circulation as well as release some tension in these areas.
Happiness is a way of travel. Hence, make your travel journey an enjoyable one by taking better care of your body during the flight.
And do you know as a Fitness First member, you are never too far from a workout with access to our Fitness First Clubs around Asia! Collect your 30-visit per calendar year International Passport from the Front of House at your local club before you travel.
Happy Holiday!
