How I’m Prepping for a Long Haul Flight
I’m actually pretty nervous for our 11 hour flight to Mexico…
It’s the longest flight I’ll have ever been on… and the only other ‘long’ (ie. non-European) flight I’ve been on before this was when I was 6 years old going to Canada, and all I can remember from that journey was my 2 year old sister talking the entire way…
For me, it’s partly about – y’know – just spending 11 hours suspended over the ocean, but mostly I’m nervous about making sure I’m relaxed. I have IBS and travelling (especially air travel!) gives me very painful stomach cramps, so it’s super important that I’m feeling as chill as possible!
So this is how I’m prepping to make this flight as comfortable as possible:
1. Staying fresh with essential toiletries
There’s nothing worse than stuffy air conditioning on aeroplanes; it always makes my skin feel gross. So I’m bringing face wipes, hand cream, tinted moisturiser, face powder and lip balm, as well as hand sanitiser because plane germs.
I’m also taking a toothbrush & toothpaste in my hand luggage because going a whole day without brushing your teeth feels furry and yuck!
2. Keeping good circulation throughout the journey
No I’m not 100% on whether flight socks actually do anything, but N’s mum swears by them, and at the end of the day, is it worth the risk for just wearing what feel like a normal pair of socks? I’ll try to remember to get up every couple of hours for a walk around too… maybe some star jumps in the aisle. Maybe not.
3. Preparing for all eventualities
Touch wood – I have never lost my hold luggage or had it delayed. But it seems to be quite common so in order to feel stress-free I’m bringing underwear and swimsuit in my hand luggage with me – ’cause who wants to be stuck at the beach with nothing to swim in for half the holiday?
I’m also packing essential medication & painkillers in case I need them!
4. Snuggling down with a big scarf & leggings
Planes are cold, so despite the fact we should be landing in 30 degree heat, I’ll be wearing a big chunky scarf to double as a blanket. Also leggings are a must because I may want to sit cross-legged or do some yoga mid-flight… ya never know!
5. Reading a good, relaxing book
I’m packing several books on the trip with me of course, but I’ll be taking ‘Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown’* with me in my hand luggage! I’m very excited to read it as it’s been on my ‘to-read’ list for years, and it should make for some light but thoughtful reading on the flight.
6. Eating & drinking things that make me feel good
I was getting a bit worried the other night, so texted Olivia to see if she had any tips for staying chill and keeping stomach pains away during flights, and of course she did! She suggested bringing plenty of peppermint tea and ‘safe snacks’ with me to keep my tummy happy – so I’m taking along my fave Pukka Three Mint tea* and some Nakd bars* for snacking (Cashew Cookie is da bomb!).
7. Listening to chilled music
I have downloaded some relaxing Spotify playlists to my phone (okay, one Spotify playlist… my phone has like zero storage on it) to get me in the ‘zone’. Honestly I used to spend my 6 hour journeys back to Cornwall from Surrey just looking out the window and listening to music the whole way, but the view from a plane is (whilst at times quite epic) usually a bit samey.
8. Watching epic TV shows
I LOVE that you can now download films & TV shows on Netflix so you can watch them offline. I know there will be things to watch on the flight but there are some shows I’m currently hooked on and need to watch on Netflix so I thought I’d stock up! We’re both loving Designated Survivor at the moment so I’ve downloaded the rest of the series, along with a few others.
Oh and I’ve brought my headphone splitter* so we can both watch with a full pair of earphones each – absolutely essential!
How do you stay relaxed during long haul flights and lengthy journeys?
*This post contains affiliate links
Never miss a post! Follow on Bloglovin:
Follow
You’ll be absolutely fine, and it will be so worth it! It’s actually surprising how fast the time goes. I was diagnosed with IBS last year and I know exactly what you mean with stomach cramps and travelling, it’s definitely the added stress that makes it worse! Will definitely use these tips on my next trip. Have an amazing time!
Hannah | Oh January
Who are you flying with? The big airlines provide blankets and little diddy pillows. You usually get a sleep mask too, but no harm in bringing your own to be sure.
You’re absolutely right about the toothbrush/paste – most people don’t drink enough water on flights, and the morning after breath is …. lets just say I wouldn’t want to be the steward(ess) who leans in to each of us to hear our tea/coffee order in the morning.
Some people say to take an aspirin before flying. I put that in the same category as flight socks.
For me, the hardest thing about long haul is that although it is incredibly tiring, I find it hard to sleep. Perhaps because I’m stuck in cattle class and haven’t got the luxury of a layflat bed. But I make sure I’ve got a comfortable eyemask and earphones and let that chillout playlist do it’s thing (actually I use an album I already know, so there’s no random surprises).
Ahh this a good post for me to read right now, I’m flying to NYC tomorrow and even though I’m not actually scared of flying, I do have an anxiety thing about confinement, so the 7 hour flight is making so anxious, I didn’t sleep a wink last night thinking about it. I’ve never been out of Europe so this is doubling my average flight time, the expanse of ocean is a little scary to me too. I totally understand your feelings with the IBS too as I have Crohns and also just found out that I have a Ovarian Cyst which has ramped up the anxiety tenfold. I’ve given myself lots of in-flight things I can do to make the time pass quickly including *trying* to nap (i’m taking ear plugs and an eye mask) a good book, there’ll be films so we’ve chosen what we want to watch and food will pass the time too. Also taking my laptop so I can finally edit a back log of photos and do some work. I just need to get lost in something and not clock watch. Have a great trip!
Hope you’ve had a great flight lovely! I’ve definitely been the one on long haul to do stretches up and down the aisles and stomp around probably far too much for other passengers liking – but I am fearful of my veins all getting stuck so high up in the air! Alice xxx
http://www.woodenwindowsills.co.uk