2023.01.27

3 ways to relieve fatigue after a long flight

Secure your favorite seat

Choosing your seat is important in order to make your time on the plane as comfortable as possible. Airplanes have window seats, aisle seats, front seats, and back seats, but which seat is best?

Window seats offer a good view of the scenery from the window, so they are recommended for people who want to see the outside or for children who tend to get bored. You can also lean against the wall, so if you want to sleep leaning back, the window seat is a good option. However, the disadvantage is that you have to call out to the person sitting in the aisle seat when you want to go to the bathroom or take your luggage from the shelf.

Aisle seats are recommended because they have many benefits, such as being easier to go to the toilet, less likely to feel the cold, and easier to talk to the flight attendants. The disadvantages are that it is difficult to see out the window, and passengers sitting in window seats have to get up to use the restroom. Unless you have a particular reason to want to see outside, it is best to get an aisle seat.

Also, between the front and rear seats, the front seats experience less shaking and are more comfortable. However, the seats in the front are often located in expensive seats such as first class or business class, so we recommend considering it within your budget.

Make sure to drink plenty of water

It is said that the inside of an airplane is very dry and the humidity is less than 10-20%.
It is important to stay hydrated frequently on such flights. Some people don't want to drink too much water because it's a hassle to go to the bathroom, but if you don't drink enough water, you run the risk of economy class syndrome.

Economy Class Syndrome is a disease caused by poor blood circulation in the legs caused by sitting in cramped airplane seats for long periods of time, which can lead to the formation of blood clots. If a blood clot lodges in the lungs, it can cause pulmonary embolism, which can lead to death in the worst case scenario.
To prevent economy class syndrome, it is important to maintain proper hydration to prevent blood from becoming mushy.

When hydrating, it is best to choose caffeine-free drinks such as barley tea and water, and avoid drinks that contain caffeine such as tea, coffee, and oolong tea. Drinks that contain caffeine are diuretic, meaning they reduce the amount of water in your body.

Alcohol is also a diuretic, so avoid it as much as possible.
When drinking drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol, we recommend that you drink enough hydration with non-caffeinated drinks.

Make time to move your body

I would appreciate it if you could include things like increasing opportunities to go to the bathroom (including brushing your teeth). An effective way to prevent economy class syndrome is to move your body, such as by standing, sitting, and walking.

By moving your body, your muscles will stretch and contract, promoting blood circulation and improving congestion that causes economy class syndrome. While you're sitting, moving your neck, stretching your back, moving your legs, or getting a massage can help change your mood. It is said that simply moving your toes can help prevent economy class syndrome.

Also, if you find it difficult to move around in your seat because the seat is small, try to go to the toilet as often as possible. By setting a time and going to the bathroom regularly, you can move your body naturally and help prevent economy class syndrome. You'll also be drinking a lot of water to go to the bathroom, so you can kill two birds with one stone. It's also a good idea to make a plan to always go to the restroom to brush your teeth after eating your in-flight meal.

When you head to the bathroom, if you have time, we recommend stretching your knees by bending and straightening them in the nearby aisle. When boarding a plane, try to wear loose-fitting clothes that don't constrict your body so that you can move around easily.

Try to adjust your body clock to local time

If you are going abroad with a time difference, you will need to take precautions against jet lag.
Jet lag is a phenomenon that causes various physical ailments such as drowsiness, headaches, fatigue, and malaise due to disturbances in the body's internal clock.

On long flights, you don't have the opportunity to get enough sunlight, and the timing of your sleep changes due to the time difference, making it difficult to balance your body clock.

Jet lag is more likely to occur when you move east from Japan (such as the United States) or when you move to a place with a time difference of more than 5 hours. It is also said to be more likely to occur in people who are early in the morning and lead a regular daily life, as well as in middle-aged and older people and introverted people than in young people. The best way to combat jet lag is to gradually acclimatize to the local time before departure, if possible.

If you are heading east to the United States, you should gradually wake up earlier, and if you are heading west, such as Europe, you should go to bed later and wake up later.

When you're on a plane, set your watch to the local time as soon as you get on the plane. It is effective to eat and sleep according to the local time. Once you arrive at your destination, expose yourself to sunlight as soon as possible to smoothly adjust your body clock to the local time.

About moln

moln is a brand that helps each person create their own journey. We help make your travels around the world more enjoyable, including suitcases with attention to detail.

Click here for a list of moln suitcases