| Air travel is clearly the safest means of travel. More | | | | worth of wine is heavier than on the ground. While a |
| people travel safely on these big birds than in cars, | | | | gin and tonic may not make you loopy at home, it will |
| trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and trains. That should tell | | | | likely have the effect of one and a half or even two |
| the whole truth, but it doesn't. Where else in your life | | | | cocktails in the air. |
| are you seated within spitting distance of 180 other | | | | Another effect of alcohol is its natural tendency to act |
| people who may, or may not, be ill? | | | | as a diuretic while on the ground or in the air. Diuretics |
| You can probably concede that there's nothing you | | | | will increase blood flow through the kidney causing |
| could do in the case of engine failure or some sort of | | | | more water to filter out. Your urine production goes up, |
| hostile takeover of an airplane in flight. That's okay | | | | your water volume goes down. Avoid alcohol and |
| because these incidents are so very, very rare. What | | | | caffeine to keep your kidney in check. |
| you can do is help prevent getting sick or infecting | | | | Exercise? In These Small Seats? |
| others by following these simple steps and tips. | | | | Don't start your Tae Bo workout or work on your |
| Understanding the Air Up There | | | | yoga inversions in your 2 cubic feet of personal space, |
| You shouldn't be surprised that the air at 35,000 feet is | | | | but do practice some simple stretches and exercises |
| much different than on the ground, even if you live in | | | | to keep yourself from feeling run down. |
| the Mile High City at 5000+ feet above sea level. To | | | | Start with neck and shoulder stretches. Practice putting |
| start with, you will likely feel thirstier than you would on | | | | your chin to your chest, then looking up to those |
| the ground. That's because the filtration of the air, in an | | | | reading lights. Tip your head from side to side and do a |
| attempt to keep it clean, removes all particles, including | | | | few slow, controlled circles in both directions. Next, |
| moisture from the air in the cabin. | | | | shrug your shoulders a few times the press your |
| The pressure, even in a pressurized cabin, will feel | | | | chest out while pushing your shoulder blades together. |
| heavier to some than to others. It is important to yawn | | | | Move onto your arms by bringing your elbows to |
| often or plug your nose and mouth and GENTLY blow | | | | shoulder level with your fist pointing straight up at a 90 |
| out. This will help "pop" your ears, allowing them to | | | | degree angle from your elbow. Flex your bicep slowly |
| adjust to the pressure in the plane. | | | | until the muscle begins to hurt a little. Repeat with the |
| To Fly or Not to Fly | | | | other side. |
| Those suffering with a cold, flu or other airborne virus | | | | For forearms, pack along a tennis ball and squeeze |
| or bacteria are urged not to fly if at all possible. Not | | | | with your hand facing down and your forearm out in |
| only are you putting 180 of your fellow passengers at | | | | front of you. Once you're done with your forearms, put |
| risk, you are likely to feel worse during the flight than at | | | | the tennis ball between your knees and SQUEEZE |
| home, resting. If you absolutely must fly sick, consider | | | | those inner thighs for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat. |
| wearing a hospital mask to keep your germs to | | | | Fight the urge to let your abdominals turn to flubber in |
| yourself. For comfort, take a decongestant soon | | | | the plane and work them, as well. Don't do sit-ups in |
| before boarding and rub the inside of your nose with | | | | the aisle, instead try this breathing suction motion. |
| petroleum jelly to avoid the lining of your nose from | | | | Exhale all the air in your lungs. Before inhaling, suck |
| drying out in the dehydrated air. Also, keep your | | | | your stomach in as high into your ribcage as you can. |
| medicines with you in your travel bag - do not check | | | | Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then inhale and relax. Repeat |
| them - if at all possible. | | | | as many times as you can. Note: don't do this right |
| If you've been under the knife recently and still have | | | | after eating. |
| stitches or sutures that have not healed completely, | | | | When you get up to take a walk to the front or the |
| flying could set back your recovery considerably. The | | | | back of the plane, stop for a minute or two and do |
| pressure may cause unnecessary stress on your | | | | calf raises. Stand flat-footed then raise up to your |
| wounds and cause them to reopen. Always contact | | | | toes. Repeat until your calves are on fire or the seat |
| your doctor before flying post-operatively. | | | | belt sign illuminates and the Captain asks you back to |
| Should you foresee the possibility of being under the | | | | your seat. |
| weather or post-operative before making your flight | | | | Shifting Weight |
| reservations, consider purchasing travel insurance. It is | | | | Not in the bulkhead compartment, though those |
| almost always more expensive to buy new tickets or | | | | suitcases have been known to shift during flight, but |
| change your old ones if you do not have travel | | | | your weight. Avoid sugary or heavy meals or snacks |
| insurance in place. | | | | on your journey. Bring along an apple, banana, a |
| Cocktails, Anyone? | | | | cheese stick or a sandwich wrap to munch on. |
| For some, the experience of flying includes a cocktail | | | | Choose a diet soda, club soda or plain old sky-juice |
| or two. Understand that your blood oxygen level | | | | (water, that is) instead of a calorie-laden cola. |
| decreases in flight, so the concentration of one glass | | | | |