Page 10
5 SIMPLE WAYS TO ENSURE A COMFORTABLE FLIGHT JOURNEY by: Fauzunnasirah Fazil
Food & drink
Eating is in moderation to avoid indigestion and feelings of being bloated. Consumption of alcohol exacerbates dehydration, compounded by high-altitude flights. So it is advisable to keep the body topped with fluids by consuming plain water.
Skin dehydration
Frequent application of moisturizing creams is highly recommended to hydrate skin.
Shoes & clothing
Comfortable footwear and the use of deep vein thrombosis( DVT) sock are essential to help prevent DVT and swollen ankles. Layers of loose, roomy clothing are ideal for flying and can be adjusted according to the changing cabin temperatures.
Exercise
Beat the lag by having as much sleep as possible. Use comfort kit( neck pillow, blanket and eye shade) to aid. Gentle body movements also can assist in avoiding tiredness and aching limbs on long-haul flights.
Air pressure
Changes in air pressure or altitude could cause ears to‘ pop’, usually referred as‘ popping ears’, and sometimes ache during take-offs and landings. Suck on sweets or try to mimic the act of chewing and swallowing. This will relieve the discomfort and help stabilize the pressure in the ear canals. For baby, the use of pacifiers or nursing( direct breast feeding) will work best for them. If you have a cold, use nasal passage to alleviate the ache. Mid flu can cause extreme pressure in the ears which may be relieved by pinching the nose and swallowing. While on board, just relax and hold a deep breath, meanwhile, shut your nose and mouth simultaneously, then exhale( while nose and mouth are shut). Repeat until your ear canals feel relief.
Fauzunnasirah Fazil is a tourism senior lecturer at UiTM Melaka Kampus Alor Gajah specializing in Travel & Tour Operations.
ACCESS:
Voice Of Tourism Education 2nd Edition
Page 10