Gearing up to travel by air this holiday season? You may have to sacrifice your carry-on space for all those gifts, and you may have to pay extra for baggage–but if you sacrifice a few seconds of your time and pay attention to these tips right here, your traveling experience can be a fit and healthy one after all.
1. ABSolutely Work That Little Seat
All I want for Christmas is a comfy airline seat. However, in the meantime you better believe I’m going to make those awful things “work.” My favorite exercises in flight are “Heel Raising Crunches–” just bring your legs together (knees touching) and raise your heels while squeezing your belly button to your spine. Simple and effective and “Seated Twerking–” sit tall and subtly roll your shoulders back while pressing your knees out to the side. This will relax your shoulders, make your core work and will release tension in your hips. Try to keep it small and controlled though; wouldn’t want that elderly man in seat B thinking you’re trying to push up on him.
2. Free Snack Packs For All
You should know by now that (insert airline here) is only giving you a Dixie cup of your preferred drink for that 4 hour flight. So save that $15.99 you can easily spend on SunChips and pack your own snacks. I always have a meal option–like a turkey sandwich, water, a healthy sweet treat–like almonds and dark chocolate chips and a piece a fruit in my carry-on. Healthy and easy. Plus I would so rather give that $15.99 to iTunes and snag that new Beyoncé album.
3. BYOB: Bring Your Own Blanket
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I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure airline pillows and blankets are first cousins with communal mats at the gym…a.k.a nasty. Let’s avoid that airplane cold and bring our own blankets ladies. It doesn’t have to be your Granny’s quilt, just think a lightweight throw or even a thick sarong/shawl. P.S. Neck pillows and eye masks are also totally welcomed. ‘Tis the season to stay healthy falalala…
4. Meditate On This
If you are busy like most Americans, this may be the first and only time you have to yourself this holiday season. So might as well do something you love. Ditch doing work and finally read that “juicy-but-has-absolutely-no-relevance-to-my-career” novel. Or slap those sound blocking earphones on and listen to a meditative podcast. Whatever you do, do you. That way when you greet your kin folk and them you are truly ready and down for whatever.
5. Skip That Serious Sweat
Tough workouts are always invited to the party…except the day or hours before a long flight. Sore muscles recover in movement therefore long periods of sitting is just foolish post challenging sweat session. However, if you must, be sure to rock some compression socks under your leggings. My friends at Zoot make a RAD pair. This will help keep blood circulation in check. Speaking of which, have you heard of deep-vein thrombosis, also known as “economy-class syndrome”? Well when you sit without moving around for long hours blood pools in your legs. This could lead to blood clots and even death. Yikes. So guard yourself pre-flight by taking a baby aspirin. Just be sure to get the green light from your doc first. Many prescriptions don’t play nice with aspirin.
6. Lap It Up During Your Layover
Once you stand up pump it up. Your legs probably forgot how to operate during that long flight, so the least you can do is show them some love by moving them around. Therefore instead of going from flight, to terminal seats and back to another flight, check out the scenery by foot instead. Just be sure to keep your sight seeing laps to only a few gates away from your own. Don’t want to mess around and miss your flight. P.S. Who knows…there just might be a “holiday hottie” a couple gates down the way.
7. Double Up On Drinks
Get drunk the night before–on electrolytes and H20 that is. High altitudes will certainly dehydrate you sis, so try avoid getting tipsy the night before and in flight. Make your go to non sugary sports drinks and electrolyte enhanced waters like Smart Water. Do this and you can certainly throw dehydration the deuces.
8. Sleep If You Want To
At all cost catch those zzz’s the night before in your own bed lady. Catching up on sleep during that 6 hour coast to coast flight may seem like a good idea, but its actually not. Don’t get me wrong, sleeping in the clouds is cool- however that baby two rows behind you really doesn’t care that you pulled an all-nighter last night. Speaking of sleep, take sleep aids at your own risk. Popping pills on a flight that is not long enough to accommodate deep sleeping can leave you groggy, or even worse- late for your connecting flight. The only pill I recommend is vitamin C and some echinacea. This will make sure your immune system knows what’s up both during and post your travels.
9. Moisturizing Is A Must
Lotion is usually a staple in our demographic, however if you happen to think you can board this next flight ashy then you are mistaken. Low air pressure is no punk and that air climate while up in the clouds is nothing to play with. Dry air leads to dry skin so lather up and don’t be afraid to rock that night cream while in flight…no one will know expect your pores.
10. Comfy Can Be Cute
Now you know your momma raised you better than that. If your travel gear can double as pajamas then pack them as such. Baggy sweats and hoodies scream “I am a 13 year old trapped in a 31-year-old body.” So dress your comfy age this season by opting for some fun leggings, high boots (as in high up to your knee, not high off the ground), a loose fitting top and a layer you can easily take on and off. P.S. Accessories are definitely welcomed. Oh, and unless you have business meeting with Santa right when you land it’s probably a good idea to skip that formal suit, pencil skirt get up etc.
11. Sit Like A FitGirl
First and foremost uncross your legs, this totally prevents blood flow and can bring on both hip and lower back pain. Instead prop them up on your carry-on bag. Just be sure to keep your shoes on since “free feet” tend to swell in that “low-pressure-air-cabin-life.” Also, I’m pretty sure “helping stuff swollen feet back into boots” is not in the flight attendants job description.
Robbie Ann Darby (RAD Experience) is a professional FitGirl, Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer in NYC. Follow her sweaty life on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more fun health and fitness tips!
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