Long haul travel can be stressful and tiring at best, but despite all this, the outcome is more than worth the initial upset! The best destinations in the world are further afield, there is no argument about this, and to see such wonders, you do have to inconvenience yourself slightly. Despite all this, there are ways to make your long distance travel easier on your body, mind, and actually make it enjoyable!
- Long haul travelw4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
The key is to keep your energy levels up, and avoid any last minute surprises. I always check my flight details again a few days before I’m due to fly, and check the airport for any information I need to bear in mind. The last time I went away, I religiously checked Manchester Airport departures, to keep up to date on real-time information, and managed to pick up a few handy tips for my travel day too, making the whole experience much more enjoyable.
- [ the waiting ][ changó ] / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
You do have to bear in mind the tiredness factor, regardless of whether you’re travelling alone, with children, or as a group. Starting your day rested is probably the most important piece of advice to give, because if you start on a basis of tiredness, you’re only going to get worse!
A good way to get around this is to stay a night at an airport hotel prior to your departure, meaning you don’t have to stress about getting to the terminal on time, and you can relax, have a nice meal, a few cocktails maybe, and get a good night’s sleep, feeling refreshed the next morning, and raring to go. I have stayed at several of the hotels near Manchester Airport, meaning I didn’t have to worry about having to travel too far to the airport the next day, and there was a large range to choose from, both on site and nearby, meaning a large price range to choose from. I can’t recommend this suggestion enough for long haul travel; it really does go a long way to helping combat the tiredness effects.
- stay as mobile as possible during your long haul flightKevin_Morris / Foter.com / CC BY-NC
It’s important to stay as mobile as possible during your long haul flight, and if you have any risk factors at all for DVTs, wear compression stockings, and get advice from your GP prior to flying. Compression stockings might not be the most attractive of fashion items, but they are imperative to health, and let’s face it, you can always wear them under something, and no-one need know! Staying hydrated is a must do, and avoiding alcohol will certainly help you stay as healthy as possible whilst crossing large distances and time zones. Get up and walk around as much as possible, even if you’re pacing the cabin!
Just a few little pointers to follow will help your long haul flight go much smoother, and even though we can’t avoid the mid-point slump, the inevitable ‘are we nearly there yet’, it’s worthwhile for the wonderful sights and experiences you will witness and enjoy.
