Aeroplane Travel

  Aeroplane Travel

Long‑haul travel is one of life’s great pleasures, but it can place real demands on the body. With a little preparation, you can arrive feeling clearer, more comfortable, and ready to enjoy your trip — and recover well enough to keep travelling for many years to come. A shorter flight is still significant but the longer the flight the harder it is on the body. 

 Cardiovascular Health

Flying changes how the body handles blood flow. Altitude, age, pregnancy, contraceptive pill use, vaping, smoking, clotting tendencies, and spike proteins (from COVID or COVID vaccination) can influence blood flow negatively and place extra pressure on the heart and kidneys. These factors matter when you’re in a pressurised cabin for many hours, not moving as much and in altitude.

It’s wise to speak with your integrative and medical practitioners before travelling so you’re prepared. Issues such as DVT, AF, swelling, palpitations, and even heart attacks can occur during or after travel. If symptoms arise, seek medical help immediately.

• Drink plenty of water before and during the flight
• Walk the aisle regularly; choose an aisle seat so you can move easily
• Discuss blood‑thinning support with your practitioners if appropriate
• Wear compression socks and/or leggings to support circulation

Time Zones, Melatonin & Jet Lag

On the day you fly, set your watch to your destination’s time (not your stopover). Try to sleep around 8 pm destination time. Use the blanket, eye mask, and neck support to settle in. If sleep doesn’t come easily, simply close your eyes, breathe, meditate, and rest.

Talk to your practitioner about minerals, herbs, or melatonin at the 8 pm time. These can be used for the first few days after arrival to help your body adjust.

Jet lag varies depending on the direction of travel and the earth’s rotation. During daylight hours at your destination, stay awake and keep yourself occupied — walk the aisle, chat, read, journal, moisturise your hands, or do crosswords.

Eat simply on the flight and avoid coffee, tea, and alcohol. The easier the food is to digest, the easier the flight is on your system.

If you arrive in the evening, shower and go straight to bed. If you arrive in the morning, stay outdoors in natural light and keep moving. Aim to stay awake until at least 8 pm destination time. The first 24 hours are the hardest, but they make all the difference.

Immune System

The plane itself isn’t the main issue — it’s the close proximity to many people, just like any public transport or airport. Ideally, people wouldn’t travel when sick, but many still do.

The healthier you are before travelling, the better. A simple and effective option is saline nasal spray. Each time you visit the bathroom, spray twice into each nostril and blow your nose. Repeat every 3–4 hours when awake, or more often if you’re unwell.

Aromatherapy can be helpful for some, but may trigger allergies in others, so use with care.

Speak with your practitioner about increasing immune‑supportive remedies during your travel period.

Fluid Retention & Gout

Swelling in the ankles and feet is common on long flights. Fluid retention is closely linked with cardiovascular health, so discuss this with your practitioner before travelling. Diuretics are not always the answer and can sometimes make things worse. Edema on flights is worse in the legs due to gravity and vien pressure. The other thing to know is that the fluid is extrcellular fluid so not in the blood and not in the cells. The fluid pulled out of the vascular also creates extra pressure on the circulation.

Cabin pressure pushes fluid into the extracellular spaces, affecting kidneys and veins. Uric acid can also rise after flying or at altitude, contributing to gout. Cherry juice before and after flying may help — and it can support melatonin levels too. There are herbs you use that are a safer option than traditional diuretics in these situations as they pull down on the extracellular fluid without upsetting the electrolytes.

• Move regularly
• Choose an aisle seat
• Keep your shoes on but loosen them slightly
• Drink plenty of water
• Speak with your practitioner if you’re prone to swelling or gout

Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

People respond differently to EMR. For some, it affects minerals and antioxidants; for others, it influences immunity, vitality, or mood. Hydration and supplementation can be important.

Some people choose to wear EMR personal discs, though they’re not suitable for everyone.

When you arrive, shower, change clothes, and ground items such as jewellery, metal frames, medications, and watches. With modern technology everywhere, supporting your system is essential.

Your body is incredibly resilient when it’s cared for. With thoughtful preparation, mindful habits during the flight, and simple recovery steps afterward, you can travel more often, bounce back more quickly, and continue exploring the world with comfort and confidence.

Ref: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3960516/