We have become cautious about our health in recent times. We are more bothered about our eating habits and our work schedules because at the end of the day we all want to feel healthy. Due to our busy lives or sometimes escaping them, we feel the need to travel. With airfares getting cheaper and cheaper, every one is preferring flying rather than taking the road mode of transportation. But long-haul air trips can really make you tired unlike in other journeys taken by other means. Some even get sickness at high altitudes. Most at risk for flight-related illnesses are those who have health problems on the ground. These are the same people who should take precautionary measures when they board a plane that will take them 30,000 feet above sea level. Commercial jet aircrafts have to maintain a relative cabin altitude between 5,000 and 8,000 feet during routine flight which means low level of oxygen content. The air extracted from the outside environment at the high altitudes is mixed with recycled air which is extremely dry, causing the inside cabin humidity to remain low. This low humidity affects certain medical conditions, most notably those involving the respiratory system and skin.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY FLYING
The above mentioned is not a way of scaring you from flying but just making you familiar with the scenario. There are ways you could be with needs and comforts while you are flying. We should drink loads of water during the flight and flight attendants make sure passengers have enough water throughout the flight to prevent dehydration.

Prepare yourself even before you actually take the flight. Imagine you are on board and start thinking good things about the place where you are heading or any thing else which stimulates your imagination and shift your mind. It is important to avoid pre-flight stress.

One should obtain an adequate amount of sleep before beginning a trip. Though it does not mean that if you follow the above, there wont be any safety threats but they serve as guidelines you can follow that will improve your comfort level during and after a flight.

Try some leg exercises and simple arm movements, especially during long flights. Do these exercises for three or four times every hour. Draw a circle with the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise and the other foot counterclockwise. Reverse circles. Do each direction for 1 5 seconds.

Foot Pumps is also a good option. It is done in three stages. Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor, and third, lift heels high, keeping balls of feet on the floor. Try rolling neck forward and back, holding each position about five seconds.

Do plan on sleeping the same amount of time in a 24-hour period as you would at home to prevent jetlag. Limit the use of sleep medications to avoid ill effects. Happy flying.