The thought of getting on an airplane makes many people sick.
Some people are extremely nervous about flying. Some are under a lot of stress due to work or are rushing to make the plane. Others feel drained after a long flight and feel jet lag that crashes their energy levels.
There is a simple solution to most of these issues – water.
The atmosphere of an airplane cabin has almost 0% humidity and is drier than a desert. What does that mean to you?
Well think of what happens to a wet towel under a hot desert sun. The water evaporates rapidly and is instantly absorbed by the air.
Well in an airplane you are the wet towel. The result is that you are getting dehydrated incredibly fast without realizing it. When you are out in the sun, you feel the heat and may have sweat to let you know you are losing water. But in an airplane, there are no warning signs.
Dehydration will make you feel nauseous, tired, and increase the likelihood of catching an illness. The airline industry doesn’t help by offering alcoholic beverages and salty snacks – both of which increase dehydration.
Dehydration is such a big problem in airplanes that pilots routinely carry water jugs with them to ensure they stay hydrated. This was done as a result of a study of airplane accidents that revealed that the majority of accidents occurred as a result of fatigue induced by dehydration.
So what can you do?
- Drink plenty of water. For every hour of flying, have at least 8oz of water.
- Do not drink alcohol or consume salty snacks while flying.
By following these two steps, you will instantly notice a difference in your body during air travel. Most reported cases of jet lag are actually dehydration problems and have nothing to do with time zone changes.
So the short answer is DRINK WATER! 🙂
