Airplanes can be flying toxic dumps – bad water, poor air quality and air circulation, chemical exposure, increased radiation, errant bacteria and viruses – combined with stress, bad food and the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a condition usually associated with long-distance travel when blood clots form in deep blood vessels due to lack of movement. Airplanes are challenging micro-environments for maintaining your health:

		cramped conditions
		limited space
		poor air and sound quality
		stress and anxiety  - loss of control, fear
		noisy, pushy and aggressive people
		crying children
		germs

Flying affects everyone differently, so customize our advice to what suits you the best

Stress
Flying can be a stressful ordeal, but it does not have to be. 

Women seem to worry about:

		safety
		traveling to and from airports
		navigating airports and their procedures
		leaving family, friends, pets, events, daily chores, or routine behind

Men seem to worry about:

		safety
		traveling to and from airports
		navigating airports and their procedures
		leaving family, friends, pets, events, daily chores, or routine behind

What to do:

		try to book a non-stop flight
		reserve your seat when booking, if possible
		review airline tickets – know departure time, gate information, arrival time and – if connecting – know the amount of time between flights.  Imagine your moves – walking from your arrival gate to another gate, asking a gate agent where you need to go, and realize that you are going to be OK.
		confirm your airline ticket information 12 hours before flight time, then again 4 hours before flight time
		put vital documents – driver’s license, passport, hotel and transportation information and schedule – in one place
		split up your money – carry no more than $100 US and put 20 $1 one-dollar bills in one pocket for tips, 4-8 $5 bills in another pocket for food and tipping, and then put the remainder in your wallet.
		separate your credit cards – take one credit card and put it in a place other than your wallet
		pack light – try to take only carry-on luggage
		if you have a medical condition, type up your issues and list of medications and pack this information with your medications in a clear, zip-lock bag.  Write your name on the bag
		always pack a survival kit – favorite hand lotion (less than ounces) toothpaste, toothbrush, snack, eye mask, melatonin,  or anything that reminds you of home
		wear comfortable, flexible clothing – the aircraft cabin could be warm or cool
		wear slip-on shoes to move through security faster
		arrive early for your flight – opportunities and choices usually greet early passengers
		lines and interesting people are inevitable – people-watch and imagine what kind of people they are in their daily life; create your own scenarios and time will go by fast
		listen carefully to the security personnel and do what they tell you to do – you can’t win; if you have flight status, look for the special line that is supposed to move you faster through the security line
		be nice – getting annoyed at people or delays only increases stress
		let the flight personnel do their job – the flight will take off when it takes off, the drinks will come when they are scheduled to come – you cannot control the flight
		Have the following, vitamins, herbs and supplements on hand:
		Ginseng Ginko biloba extract Bach Rescue Remedy Lavender or chamomile oil – rub under your nose Zinc Vitamin E
		eat lots of fruits and veggies
		avoid sugary and salty foods – at least 24 hours before flight
		avoid dairy products – except low-fat yogurt – at least 24 hours before your flight
		bring a good book, magazine, or DVD
		pretend your vacation has begun when leaving from your home or office on the way to the airport

Two-hours before flight take:

60 mg of CoQ10 100 mg of B-complex Magnesium, potassium, calcium Hyland’s Calms Forte 3,000 mg of vitamin C 500 mg of L-Tyrosine

Water
Airplane water is bad.  Since 2004, there have been several studies that showed that water stored on some airplanes contained chloroform and fecal matter.

What to do:

		After passing security, buy a couple of bottles of water
		Avoid plane “tap” water
		Do not drink coffee or teeth on an airplane unless it is made from bottled water.  Many airlines – mostly international carriers – now offer to make coffee and tea from bottled water.  Some Swiss, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Korean Air flights have some espresso machines installed that make good drinks
		Do not brush your teeth with the restroom water – take a bottle of water into the restroom and use that water instead
		Drink at least one 8-ounce bottle of water for every hour of flying – you always want to be hydrated.  If you have dehydration symptoms: thirst dry, scratchy or bloodshot eyes fatigue wrinkled skin bloat or constipation then increase your water intake to 16 ounces of water for every hour of flying

Alcohol & Beverages
Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol and coffee because they have diuretic properties, but if you drink more water and only have alcohol or coffee in moderation, you are probably going to be fine.  A glass of water or a comforting cup of coffee or tea might help you relax and reduce your stress levels.  Try to avoid all soft drinks.  Instead, ask for club soda or fruit juice.  If the flight is not too crowded, ask the flight attendant to mix them for you – half and half

Poor Air & Comfort Quality

Symptoms

1. Noise
2. Reduced atmospheric pressure
3. Dry air or low humidity
4. Variable temperatures throughout cabin and flight
5. Carbon monoxide/dioxide smell
6. Cleaning fluid smell
7. Coughing and sneezing passengers
8. Little to no leg room
9. Cramped space

What to do:

		During take-off, landing and occasionally during your flight, chew gum or suck on a hard, sugar-free candy to relieve ear discomfort from varying air pressure
		Remove your shoes and wear flip-flops or thick, comfortable socks
		Fasten your seat-belt over your blanket or in plain view (for the flight attendant), so you will not be disturbed if there is turbulence
		Drink lots of water
		Spritz your face with water or take a wet napkin and moisten your face
		Use eye drops – before, during and after each flight
		Use skin moisturizer – before, during and after each flight
		Disinfect your hands with Purell after touching parts of your seat, the environment around you, and before eating
		Wear comfortable clothes
		Exercise and keep moving – stretch your arms and legs from your seat and walk up the aisle when you can
		Use eyeshades for napping – add a drop or two of lavender oil to them
		Vaseline – rub some on you lip, just under your nose

Symptoms

1. Headache
2. Fatigue
3. Lack of concentration
4. Nausea
5. Eye irritation
6. Diarrhea
7. Upset stomach
8. Skin irritation

What to do:

		drink 8 ounces of carrot juice asap
		drink dandelion root tea
		buy a liver detox kit at your local health food store
		eat lots of fiber
		take:
		Chlorella Astragalus extract 400 mg of vitamin E 30-50 mg of CoQ10 Vitamin A Vitamin C with bioflavonoids Garlic oil caps Grapefruit seed extract Bilberry Apple pectin Selenium Zinc

Robert Barish, physicist and author of   The Invisible Passenger: Radiation Risks For People Who Fly, says, "The sun is really a big thermo-nuclear device." Barish believes airline crew members are exposing themselves to more radiation than almost any other occupation. He says, "People who work in the nuclear power industry on an average basis are getting 1.6 milliSieverts per year. There are people who fly in airplanes who are getting 2 or 3 or 4 milliSieverts per year. So they are truly radiation workers."

What to do:

		Eat apples, avocados and lemons
		Eat olive oil
		Drink steam-distilled water
		Take:
		100 mg of CoQ10 1,000-1,500 mg of kelp garlic grape seed extract Vitamin B5 or panothenic acid 3,000-5,000 mg of vitamin C with bioflavonoids brewer’s yeast lecithin caps 25,000 mg of vitamin A 100 mg of vitamin B-complex 400 IU of Vitamin E 50 mg of zinc Hawthorn or ginko biloba extract 30-50 drops of aloe vera concentrate

What to do?

		wash hands often
		use Purell-like substance
		avoid touching your eyes
		take 1,000 mg of vitamin C
		wear a surgical mask (if it helps you emotionally)

Bad Food
Most airplane food is bad.  There are some airlines that pride themselves on quality foods, or provide the opportunity to buy them.  One that stands out is Virgin Express in Europe.  Passengers can preorder organic, natural foods while purchasing their ticket online.  If you are flying domestically in the United States, bring your own food.

What to do:

		before your flight – about 2-3 hours before – eat a hearty high-fiber, low-fat meall
		avoid overeating, especially red meats like steak, before any flight.
		vegetarian protein will probably give you the most comfort satisfaction before any flight
		avoid sugary and salty sauces – before, during and after flights
		avoid fast foods
		avoid any kind of refined foods
		pack nuts – walnuts and almonds are best
		pack a small zip-lock bag of whole grain cereal
		pack a small zip-lock bag of raisins or dried fruit – when you want to taste something sweet
		pack fruits and veggies
		pack a small bag of pieces or chunks of dark chocolate – anything over 52% cocoa beans
		avoid most dairy – a little cheese is OK
		drink your coffee before your flight
		you can pack protein or energy bars, but not all protein bars are the same – you do not want a “healthy” candy bar

Sleeping
When it comes to sleeping, every “Road Warrior,” flight attendant, or crew member have their own sleeping routines.  Whatever you do, it’s about achieving comfort.  Some flyers like to take sleeping pills, but I do not recommend them for a variety of reasons.  I’m also not a big fan of those neck cushions that many people buy at Brookstone.  To me, they are difficult to carry around and are usually awkward or clumsy as you move around during your flight.

What to do:

		eat a light meal 2-3 hours before flight
		eat a banana 1-2 hours before you want to sleep
		No sugary or salty foods 24 hours before flight
		buy some pieces of crystallized ginger (the sugar is minute) and chew a piece before you want to sleep
		take valerian extract
		take Hyland’s Calms Forte
		take melatonin – 3 mg to 5 mg, depending upon length of flight
		take 400 IU of vitamin E
		bring your own eye shades
		bring a small tincture of lavender oil and rub some oil just below your nose
		bring your own pillow case and use it for the airline pillow

Jet Lag
According to Wikipedia, “Jet lag, also jetlag or jet-lag, is a physiological condition which is a consequence of alterations to the circadian rhythm. Such disturbances result from shift work, daylight saving time, altered day length, or as the name implies, transmeridian travel as on a jet plane. They are known as desynchronosis, dysrhythmia, dyschrony, jet lag, or jet syndrome. The condition is generally believed to be the result of disruption of the "light/dark" cycle that entrains the body's circadian rhythm. It can be exacerbated by environmental factors.”

Symptoms

		irregular sleep – fitful sleep, insomnia, early waking or excessive sleepiness
		irritability
		difficulty focusing or concentrating
		headaches or grogginess
		aches and pains - muscle soreness
		tender tummy, constipation or diarrhea

What to do:

Pre-flight prep

		Drink 8 ounces of carrot juice 24 hours before flight
		Exercise for at least 30-45 minutes 12 hours before flight time
		Eat grilled fish or soy 24 hours before flight
		Eat whole grains, green veggies and magnesium-rich foods 24-48 hours before flight
		Avoid caffeine