If you’re joining the jet set this month, maximise your mile-high experience by heeding these tips on taking off in comfort. By CHRISTA CHOO
If you’re joining the jet set this month, maximise your mile-high experience by heeding these tips on taking off in comfort. By CHRISTA CHOO
WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK
Don’t order wine. “Avoid alcohol, because as its levels decline in your blood, it can wake you repeatedly while you sleep,” warns Dr Lim Li Ling, medical director and consultant neurologist at Singapore Neurology & Sleep Centre in Gleneagles Medical Centre. “Limit caffeine, which stimulates the brain. While warm milk doesn’t sound sexy, it promotes natural drowsiness.” Avoid heavy, oily meals; nibble on plain foods or take your own snacks on board.
CHOOSE YOUR SEAT WISELY
Most airlines open their online seat-selection platforms 24 hours before take-off , and you’d be clever to utilise this service to avoid annoyances like crying babies and having to sit right above the plane’s wheels. Marissa Wee, public affairs executive at Silkair, reveals that “families with young children are usually seated in the front row where the bassinets are, and meals tend to be served from the front and middle of the cabin”. Check the Seatguru app, which has more than 700 of the mostsearched seat maps from 118 airlines.
GET HIGH, STAY HEALTHY
There you’ll be, stuck with strangers in a small space without the chance of escape… and with loads of germs. So before leaving, study your Tripadvisor app and think of your well-being. “Use compression socks (available from most pharmacies), and walk around the cabin every few hours to prevent blood clots forming in your legs (aka deep-vein thrombosis),” says Dr Lim. Many cabins replicate the climate of the Arctic thanks to their air-conditioning, so get your totally-trending outdoor PJs, scarf and socks ready. Marissa suggests wearing eyeshades to shield you from cabin lights. She also says: “Pillows and blankets are available on all our flights, but bring your own noise-cancelling headphones to help you drop off .” If reading is your relaxant, Marissa reveals that phones and tablets can be used on board if they are switched to airplane mode.
