Be sure to avoid crossing your legs when traveling by air if you want an easier and less stressful plane ride. Overscheduling your sleep is also a big no-no!
When flying, how you position yourself on the airplane is important for your overall safety and well-being. One of the most significant errors that travelers make when sitting on airplanes is keeping their legs crossed for extended periods.
According to Dr. Neena (a pulmonary and critical care physician who shared her insight about traveling via TikTok), crossing your legs is considered the most dangerous way to sit while on a plane.
The reason why sitting with crossed legs can be detrimental to your health is due to the compression of blood vessels caused by this position, which will slow down blood circulation. This can increase your chances of developing blood clots (thrombi) in your legs! As if that weren’t enough, flying at such high altitudes puts additional strain on your body due to the reduced air pressure in the cabin. This can increase the chances of experiencing extra inflammatory responses (such as clotting).
Therefore the pressure in an aircraft’s cabin does not match the atmospheric conditions at sea level. Your body may not respond in the same way when flying as it does on land. This is particularly true for long-distance travel, which can result in compromised flow of blood.
What are some other tips to improve your travel experience? When possible, keep your feet flat on the ground, frequently stretch out your legs and find ways to keep yourself moving instead of sitting still for long periods of time with no activity.
If you’re going abroad, even minor movements while flying can be helpful. For example, if it’s safe to walk around, do so by only walking in the aisle and back to your seat, flexing your feet at your ankles while seated, or doing some basic leg exercises while you’re sitting.
Some medical professionals recommend wearing compression stockings because they improve blood circulation and keep swelling down which is very important for anyone who has a tendency to have a lot of time spent sitting down.
Sleeping on planes can be disastrous because Mid-flight sleep often makes it difficult for you to fall asleep later.
According to experts at Harvard Health, short naps versus longer naps are the best way to improve alertness and mental clarity during your travels. A short nap provides enough mental energy so that you feel refreshed rather than tired the next day after a long flight.
The feeling of being groggy is caused by sleep inertia. Sleep inertia is defined as that sluggish, foggy feeling that you get shortly after waking, which can hang around for up to an hour after you wake up from either long periods of sleep and/or deep sleep.
Minor choices made during the flight may also affect how you feel afterward based on position and sleep habits.
Uncross your legs, keep your blood flowing, and nap wisely; your body will thank you when you arrive at your destination.
