How do YOU survive long-haul flights?
A flight attendant's in-flight tips
by Barbara Nelson

How do you feel during long-haul flights?

Well and healthy?

The low humidity and dry cabin air don't bother you?

You look like a million Dollars when you reach your destination?

You always know you're having the "right" beverages?

And your skin never feels dry on a plane?

Then stop reading now! Congratulations, you must be one of the selected few! If you answered "no" to at least one question, you know: Flight-attendants must have some secrets! And I am about to tell you all the favorite little tips that make flying just that little bit -or a lot - more healthy, comfortable and relaxing.

10 years as a flight-attendant gave me plenty of time to collect valuable tips useful for any long haul flight. So if you are a frequent traveler, a flight attendant like me or just enjoy traveling, read on! You're welcome to try your favorite tips on your next trip.

Let's start with the most important thing:

Rescuing our faces!
The dry air in the cabin (which has a moisture content of only six to fifteen percent) sharply accelerates the loss of body fluid. So moisturize! Take moisturizer with you in your carryon bag and apply frequently. Either take your make up off before moisturizing or do it like many flight-attendants (who have to keep their make up on...) and apply moisturizer over make up! Just pat a little on dry patches.

"What about facial sprays or spritzes?" I hear you ask. Well, I like the ones with essential oils because oil helps to seal the water in. Plain mineral water sprays dry skin more than they help. (If you don't believe it, try rinsing your hands several times during a long-haul and you can grate cheese on them!) I always take a good hand-cream too and apply it frequently. Don't laugh, lots of flight-attendants use plain Petroleum Jelly! A doctor referred to it as the best moisturizer available that the cosmetic companies don't want us to know about...

How to make your own:

Melt 2 oz beeswax in microwave
Stir in oil of your choice (Almond oil is nice)
Stir until cool
Voila- your own heavy duty in-flight moisturizer.

Now - there's even worse news. If low humidity in the cabin dries our bodies on the outside, it surely dries them on the inside. Each day, we lose around 2 1/2 quarts (around 10 glasses) of water through our breath, sweat and evaporation. The World Health Organization recommends we drink at least 2 quarts of water a day, depending on our size and activity. If you are flying, you need more! Don't rely on your thirst to tell you when you need water. By the time you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.

You may recognize the symptoms:

• lack of energy
• constipation
• poor skin
• headaches

On long-haul flights, passengers are advised to drink two or three times their normal intake, preferably water or soft drinks. Drink as much plain mineral water as possible. Take your own bottle for easy access-or even take two! (Remember that the flight attendants just can't give a big bottle of water to every passenger, even if they would like to!)

Have you ever felt bloated after a flight? Just when you wanted to put that slinky dress on and go to dinner at your favorite destination?

To minimize bloating:

• don't drink carbonated beverages
• acidic fruit juices will contribute to discomfort
• avoid caffeine, it's dehydrating
• avoid alcohol, it's dehydrating, too

Alcohol has a "double effect" on our bodies because of the cabin pressure. Remember that if you have one glass of wine on the plane, it equals two or three glasses on the ground! Some passengers seem to forget that.

OK, after saving our face and bodies, here are some of my favorite in-flight tips.

Travel essentials you should carry in your hand-luggage:

Wallet, ID, ticket, passport, camera and film (just don't jump around the corner into the cabin-kitchen to take pictures of the flight-attendants on their break, munching away without asking first...), cell phone (turned OFF!),change of clothes in case of lost luggage (yes, it CAN happen...), phone book with essential contact numbers, Band-Aids, multivitamins, eye drops, safety pins, photocopies of important documents like passport, prescriptions, etc.

In-flight Tips:

Chew some gum during take off and landing to relieve pressure. Constant swallowing will have the same effect. (Note that not all airlines can provide you with gum though)

Did you spill anything on your clothes? (Hopefully, the flight attendant didn't do it) The refreshment towel will get rid of the stain!

If your nose is congested, administer decongestant spray one hour prior to landing to relieve headaches.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Your body and feet will swell up during the flight.

You might want to take an extra pair of socks if you want to take your shoes off! (Yes, I have had complaints from passengers sitting next to a "sockless" person).

Take a walk through the cabin to keep your circulation going. Just wait until the flight-attendants have finished the meal-service. It's impossible to jump over the carts.

Contact lens wearers should opt for glasses during the flight to avoid "red rabbit eyes". "Liquid tears" eye drops relieve dryness.

Drink plenty of mineral water to avoid dehydration (I think I mentioned that before)

Take some toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste etc. to freshen up before landing. Sugarless gum will do too, in case the toothbrush gets lost.

Neck cushions are a lifesaver....(or sleep-saver)

Same goes for eye-masks!

Last but not least, food is important, too. You probably know that you can order special meals with most airlines 24 hours before the flight if you have special requirements concerning your diet. Otherwise, the best bet is always the chicken. Or really cheer up your flight attendant: If she asks you if you'd like chicken or beef, say: "Fish!"

About the author:

Barbara Nelson has been a flight-attendant for 10 years. You can visit her website at http://inflightbeautyguide.homestead.com. or contact her at barbara@onlinehome.de