It’s that time of year when many of us are packing our bags and heading off on our jolly holidays - whether that’s a quick hop across Europe or a long-haul adventure. But let’s be honest, flying can leave us feeling sluggish, bloated, and totally off balance, especially if you are a nervous flyer like me. Well, I have your back…and your belly. A little planning goes a long way. Just like you wouldn’t leave packing your suitcase until the last minute (well… maybe you would), prepping your body for travel should start a few days ahead.
Hydration is your holiday BFF
Start boosting your hydration two to three days before you fly. That doesn’t just mean chugging plain water - think vegetable-based raw juices, coconut water, and electrolytes. Skip the airport coffee (I know, I know, just think of how much you will love your first coffee when you land) because caffeine is a diuretic and will dehydrate you fast.
Rethink your airport breakfast
Yes, the airport is often a no rules apply zone, hear me out - swapping your buttery pastry for a rainbow salad or something green and crunchy can seriously help you feel better during and after the flight. Leafy greens and veggies are full of water, fibre, and nutrients that support digestion. No one wants a bloated belly or sluggish gut on day one of their holiday!
Alcohol on board? It’s a no from me
Sorry to be a buzzkill, but alcohol is a fast track to dehydration and discomfort. Instead, every time you ‘would’ have ordered a drink, take a little stroll up and down the aisle. It keeps circulation going and helps calm the nerves if you’re a wobbly flyer like me. Back in your seat, try 50 heel raises. It gets the blood moving, reduces swelling, and is a great distraction.
Pack smart snacks
I never fly without a couple of kiwis tucked into my carry-on. Sounds random, but they’re a fibre-packed travel hack. If, like me, you’re prone to a sluggish gut when you travel, they help you stay regular and avoid that bloated, bikini-wrecking belly. I also take electrolyte hydration sachets too.
Hydration on the outside matters too
Your skincare doesn’t get a break just because you’re in the air. Pack a face mist and an eye mask (the fluffy kind, not the skincare kind - though both are great). Cabin air is drier than the desert, so your skin needs all the help it can get. It's the perfect time for a pamper and a good movie.
Bonus: Bring your gua sha or Ayurvedic body comb
I never board a flight without mine. These tools help reduce puffiness (lymphatic drainage), boost circulation, and calm the nervous system - ideal for anxious flyers.
And finally, don’t forget your SPF. Whether you’re landing in the Balrarics or Bali, that UV will find you the moment you hit the tarmac. Start your holiday glowing and protected from the get-go.
