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.

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?