How to Stay Not Gross While Flying

Tyler and I rented a camera last week to take on our trip to Zihuatanejo, so we took it to the park near our house to practice a little the night before we left. So that’s where these photos are from. I’m still working on how to pose solo for pics.

But anyway, this post has been in my drafts since we started the blog, and I think it’s an important travel topic that needs to be discussed.

My absolute least favorite part of traveling is how disgusting I feel during and after long flights.

There’s nothing, NOTHING, worse than touching down at your destination and feeling dehydrated, stiff, dry, germ-ridden, DRY, and just straight-up gross.

I can’t be the only one who deals with the disappointment I’m talking about here.

You picture yourself stepping off the plane looking like Serena van der Woodsen in the Hamptons, and instead you’re bloated and dizzy with hands as dry as the Sahara.

Over the years, I have put a lot of effort into resisting this terrible phenomenon.

My routine is not yet perfect, but I feel tremendously better after flights if I follow these VERY strategic steps (and so will you).

Make your last supper ultra healthy

The first few steps start the night before you fly. First of all, veggie up. You don’t know when the next time you’re going to get your greens in, so I always try to eat a huge salad with a ton of veggies and protein. Avoid greasy or salty foods. That’s right, even I avoid popcorn before I travel. 

Try to drink a ton of water the night before, too. If you’re feeling really ambitious, add some lemon to said water (aids with digestion).

Get your sweat on

Set aside some time the day before you leave to hit the gym or go for a run. If that’s not your thing, take a 30 minute walk. You are going to be sitting the entire next day, and you will thank yourself for getting your bod moving. Also, you’ll feel better once you start inhaling foreign food and drink like it’s your job.

Elevate your feet

I put my feet up for 30 minutes every night before I fly (and a lot of other nights, too). This is great for circulation and helps keep swelling down after long haul flights.

It’s never ideal to start your vacation off with prego feet (no offense to all my hot mama friends out there). Tyler makes fun of me every time I do this, but GUESS WHO HOPS OFF THE PLANE WITH SLENDER ANKLES READY TO RUMBLE.

Lay on the ground or your bed as close to a right angle to the wall as you can manage and put your feet up on the wall. This is best done while listening to Ed Sheeran and drinking mint tea.

Drink your weight in water

I repeat, HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE. Before, during, and after your flight. Maybe you have a Hydroflask or Swell bottle attached to your hand at all times. Maybe you are still trying to look like Jen Aniston and hope for the best every time you throw down $5 for an oversized Smart Water (me).

Whatever it is, the SECOND you get through security, it’s time to start guzzling.

It’s so easy to forget to drink water on flights because you sort of lose all sense of time and reality. Drinking water like a parched maniac will help keep your metabolism going and keep you hydrated in that dreadful, dry cabin. Try to book an aisle seat.

The ESSENTIALS

I always keep a little bag of ESSENTIALS with me when I fly. Again, something Tyler makes fun of me for. However, I have found great success by storing these strategic items in my carry-on for use on the plane:

• Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray – helps relieve and wake up dry skin, I literally spray this every hour on flights. And you know who leans over for a spray EVERY TIME.
• Cinnamon Tea – for your immune system and digestion. I have a tradition where I make a special trip to see the flight attendants and ask for a cup of hot water so I can drink this. It’s the little things.
• Summer’s Eve Wipes – for staying FRESH
• Hand Cream – obvi. Also, this and this
• Emergen C – this may be just a placebo, but it sure makes me feel better to toss one or two of these bad boys back while the old guy next to me is hacking up a lung. I actually take one every day while I’m traveling, regardless of if I’m actually feeling sick. Call me Dr. Oz.

I’m so curious to hear how other people manage to stay not gross while flying. Anyone else have this problem??

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