We rarely think about staying hydrated while we go about our daily routines but once we board a plane for a long flight, if we haven’t been hydrating we could begin feeling uncomfortable, or worse, almost right away. That’s because the air in the cabin is a lot dryer than outside and that dry air causes our bodies to lose water.
Dehydration can cause dry nose, dry skin, and scratchy eyes. In the extreme, it can also cause light headedness, fatigue and confusion. Some people have even passed out from being dehydrated.
photo:
icethim
That’s what happened to me recently. Two hours after we took off, my nose became so dry, I kept taking short breaths thinking that would make me feel better. It didn’t. I needed water, and I knew it.
So what can you do to stay hydrated during your next flight?
Drink Lots of Water: If you have a long trip coming up, start drinking lots of water the day before and continue drinking at least a glass for each hour of your flight. With strict regulations on the amount of liquids allowed on flights, many people have had to ditch their bottled water at the checkpoint. At many airports, however, there are concession stands after the checkpoint where you can buy water and water fountains where you can refill an empty water bottle. It is not advisable to drink the tap water on the plane.
Pack a Good Moisturizer and Eye Drops: Bring a good moisturizing lotion and apply it often to protect your skin, especially your hands and face. Use eye drops to relieve your scratchy eyes.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine absorb water from your cells so you’ll end up feeling more dehydrated. Avoid them all together.
Staying hydrated during a flight is easy if you follow the steps above.
What tips do you have for staying hydrated during your flights?
Now, this would’ve been good information to have before my mong trips. I wondered why I felt so thirsty on the plane. What tap water on the plane, by the way? You mean what’s in the bathroom?
How about beer or liquor? In long distance flights they also offer it. I was wondering what its effect would be.
Those are great tips, Marcia. I try to drink as much water as I can on a flight, but you’re right — it’s best to start that before the flight!
Side note: Something that I wonder about regarding water bottles. Since the time we haven’t been able to bring our own past security, who is checking the safety of the water bottles coming into the airport concession stands? Just something I’ve been wondering about. 🙂
You mean I have to stay away from the airport bar prior to my flight? Please, Nooooo 😉
If you can’t, just drink lots of water during the flight to rehydrate yourself. It’s a good idea to even if you’re not flying to drink lots of water after drinking alcohol.
Thanks, Cathy. You know, that’s a great question. I hadn’t thought of that at all — I don’t know.
They have both available for sale but alcohol dehydrates so my advice is to drink LOTS of water!
That’s definitely why you felt thirsty. Yup, water from the bathroom. Not good to drink.