5 Ways to Make the Most of Long Flights

Essentials to Keep You Sane in the Sky

By Chelsea Vincent

When I explained to my fiancé (now husband) that my next retreat would be to Bali, one of his first questions was, “how long is that flight?”

It’s, er, long. From Los Angeles, you’re looking at about 25 hours’ worth of travel.

For many who dream of going to Bali and other exciting international locations, the length of the flight can be a big deterrent in making the choice to actually go for that big trip. But with a little foresight and thoughtfulness, planning how you spend your time flying – and what you pack – can actually make the experience a pleasant one.

When I fly for an extended time (which for me is anything above five hours, honestly), I treat the trip like a chance to recharge my battery. I’ll do this in July, while heading to Bali, for example. Wi-Fi on planes is unreliable most of the time, so why not take a break from the digital, to do some of the things you’ve been missing in your day-to-day life?

To turn stressful travel into rejuvenating time for yourself, use these five strategies:

1. Practice Goal Setting and Personal Evolution

Most of us think about goals around New Year’s Eve each year, and perhaps for a few weeks in January, and then we move on. Yet, as the saying goes, “that which gets measured gets done.”

So instead of binge-watching five movies on your flight, maybe watch one movie, and spend some of that other time writing down your goals for the year, as a person and as a professional. Figure out a timeline for those goals and write it out, with monthly and weekly mini-steps to ensure you get there.

If you’re into vision boarding, while you won’t have the space to whip out glue sticks and 300 magazines in the middle of row 18, you can doodle, draw, or circle inspiring imagery in one magazine, which can help you visualize where you want to be.

2. Stretch and Engage Your Mind and Body

Sitting for hours on end, coupled with very little mental or emotional stimulation, is exhausting (not to mention a tiring way to start your dream trip). Instead of falling into a day-long stupor, make sure you get up every 45 minutes to walk and stretch. You can even do some simple yoga poses in and around your seat, like a seated figure four stretch, sidebending with arms stretched overhead, or some gentle backbending while standing.

It’s also important to stay mentally engaged and challenged, as doing new activities is how our brains stay young. Whether you like Sudoku or learning new languages, block some time out to nourish that noggin.

3. Stay Hydrated

This is probably the one that gets overlooked the most. Constantly asking for water feels annoying, and no one wants to be the person getting up every hour to pee. And yet, all of our bodies are comprised of mostly water! Skipping out on hydrating for a day will mean you show up to your retreat lethargic, constipated, and lackluster, which is not an ideal way to start a vacation.

If you’re worried about getting up and down a lot, just get an aisle seat (which also helps with that stretching we mentioned). And if you don’t want to get tiny water refills every half hour, getting a couple of big water bottles in the airport before boarding will keep you accountable. Just buy them close to your flight time, so you don’t have to lug them around too long. Refillable water bottles can also be great, depending on the quality of the water at the airport (do your research ahead of time).

4. Snack Mindfully

Even the healthiest of us can jump into “vacation mode” the moment we leave for the airport, including our diets. However, going on a health and wellness retreat, yet ignoring clean fuel for your body, is a little bit counterintuitive.

When it comes to meal options, many airlines now offer gluten-free or vegetarian options, so check before you fly. It’s a safe bet that “airline meat” is probably not organic or grass-fed, so you may be better off skipping that while flying. As far as snacking options go, making your own dehydrated jerky, fruits, or veggies can work as a healthier alternative to airline options, provided they are allowed to travel between the countries you are visiting.

As a last option, some people choose to fast while flying, as a great way to give the liver a break. If that works for you, definitely make sure to stay hydrated, and perhaps engage in some mindful, silent meditation, to focus on the healing benefits of fasting for your body and spirit.

5. Rest Comfortably

Most people don’t sleep great on planes, which is understandable, given the fact that you are sitting up. Even if you travel on a plane with a fully reclining seat, it can be hard to feel at peace, when you aren’t in a real bed and when your Circadian rhythm is thrown. To encourage your body to feel at ease and restful, it’s wise to pack some basics.

I always bring an eye mask, small earplugs, a travel pillow, a travel blanket (or good, long sweater), and compression socks. Earplugs in particular have done wonders for minimizing cabin noise. You can also block times for during the flight when you will try to sleep, limiting your screen exposure for an hour beforehand, to keep your brain from becoming over stimulated.

While long flights still don’t have quite the same charm as long cruises or train rides, there are definitely ways to enhance your travel experience. Incorporating some or all of these steps can help you arrive to your retreat – and back home –feeling grounded.