| Many people have a fear of flying. For me, | | | | changes, chew gum for the duration of the |
| the fear of being 30,000 feet up in the air, | | | | flight. If you are prone to motion sickness, |
| defying gravity and putting all of my trust | | | | don't board a plane without taking a motion |
| in an occupation reputed to have problems | | | | sickness pill; they don't put barf bags in |
| with sobriety is a bit unsettling. But, even | | | | plane seat pockets for nothing. |
| more, my hesitation to board a plane comes | | | | |
| from an intense fear that I will be sitting | | | | Stay Hydrated But Don't Drink Too Many |
| in a window seat, with the two people between | | | | Fluids: No one wants to spend the duration of |
| me and the aisle sleeping soundly, and I will | | | | a flight in the airplane's bathroom. The |
| have an uncontrollable urge to pee. In sum, | | | | bathrooms are always uncomfortable; they are |
| I fear my flight will be uncomfortable. | | | | small enough to make anyone claustrophobic |
| | | | and there is never an attendant offering you |
| Flying, as a way to travel, isn't necessarily | | | | a paper towel or a mint. Plus, unless you are |
| the most comfortable, but it's the fastest. | | | | sitting on the aisle, you will have to crawl |
| It's like ripping the band-aid quickly off, | | | | over people in order to get to the lavatory. |
| taking a few hairs in the process, instead of | | | | This inconveniences passengers, leaving |
| removing the adhesive a small portion at a | | | | people to stare at you like you have the |
| time. Though sitting on a plane for hours at | | | | bladder of an ant. |
| a time with a hundred and fifty strangers | | | | |
| (and perhaps some screaming babies) isn't the | | | | Sit in the Emergency Row: When you check-in, |
| epitome of comfort, there are a few things | | | | most airlines will give you a choice of any |
| that can be done to make your flight more | | | | available seating. The Emergency Row is often |
| comfortable. | | | | the most comfortable row on the plane, with a |
| | | | noticeable amount of extra leg room. But keep |
| Fly First Class: Obviously, this is the | | | | in mind if sitting in this row, in the event |
| quickest way to gain flying comfort. I've | | | | of an emergency, you will be expected to get |
| never been lucky - or rich -enough to fly | | | | up out of your comfortable seat, and help |
| first class but I've heard of the things it | | | | with the evacuation. |
| involves. Some amenities include more leg | | | | |
| room, warm rags to wash your hands and face, | | | | Jet Lag: The Discomfort Continues |
| champagne, edible (yes, edible) airline food, | | | | |
| personal TV sets, and fully reclining seats. | | | | As if the flight wasn't uncomfortable enough, |
| I imagine they also feed you grapes and fan | | | | the madness continues in the form of jet lag. |
| you with giant leaves. | | | | Jet lag is marked when a traveler flies to a |
| | | | new time zone, with their internal clock set |
| Wear Comfortable Clothes: Unless it's | | | | on the original time zone. Frequent fliers |
| required for business, leave the suit and tie | | | | with frequent jet lag try everything to cope. |
| and the evening gown in your suitcase, or at | | | | Some take sleeping pills, some take |
| home. Instead, wear clothes that are easy to | | | | melatonin, some buy homeopathic jet lag |
| relax in - sweats, jeans, and anything that | | | | formulas, but according to research, some of |
| contains elastic. I typically dress to fly | | | | the best ways to avoid jet lag may be the |
| like I dress for bed, minus the head gear. | | | | ones that make the most common sense. While |
| | | | on the plane, try the following tasks: |
| Bring Something to Pass the Time: The concept | | | | |
| of an in-flight movie is a great idea. But, | | | | - Drink water or juice but stay away from |
| prepare for the flight with the notion that | | | | coffee and alcohol (don't let the pressure |
| the movie being aired may be one you dislike, | | | | (cabin or peer) get to you) |
| or do not care to see, and bring something | | | | |
| else to keep you entertained. The simplest | | | | - Don't skip up and down the aisles, but get |
| thing to do is to bring a book: nothing makes | | | | up from time to time and stretch your legs |
| the time "fly" faster than being engrossed in | | | | |
| a novel. In fact, for those who fly | | | | - Prepare for the time change a few days |
| frequently, many airports have a book | | | | ahead, this will make the change more |
| exchange program where you can buy a book | | | | gradual, by going to bed earlier or staying |
| from an airport gift shop and, upon | | | | up later |
| completing it, exchange it for a new novel at | | | | |
| a reduced price. | | | | - Relax on the flight and sleep if you can |
| | | | |
| Chew Gum and Take Motion Sickness Pills: The | | | | Once your trip is over and you are back at |
| only thing worse than being in pain or being | | | | home, eating right, exercising, and sleeping |
| nauseous is being in pain or being nauseous | | | | on a comfortable mattress will all play a |
| at 30,000 feet. Either of these can make any | | | | roll in ridding yourself of jet lag and |
| semblance of comfort rapidly descend. If you | | | | reaching a comfortable destination. |
| are prone to ear popping with altitude | | | | |