Fly healthfully with these 6 exercises

If you frequently travel by plane, you're putting your body at greater risk of a silent killer. Those long periods of inactivity -- legs scrunched up behind the seat in front of you and your arms held tightly to your body because the person next to you is stubbornly refusing to give up even a quarter inch of the arm rest -- aren't exactly healthful for your body.

Frequent fliers run the risk of a condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). In fact, the condition has two travel-related nicknames: Traveler's Thrombosis and Economy-Class Syndrome. DVT is a condition where a blood pools and forms a clot in the calf, thigh, or less commonly in the arm. If you travel a lot or are planning a long flight, keep these DVT prevention tips in mind:

• Get up and move. Don't need a bathroom break? Visit the loo anyway and march in place for a few minutes. Even a quick stroll up and down the aisle will do.
• Ankle circles. Rotate your feet at the ankle both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
  

• Calf raises. Place your feet flat on the floor, then raise your heels off the ground while keeping your toes planted. Lower and repeat several times.
  
• Knee raises. Lift your knees upward or toward your chest and lower. You can do both legs at the same time or one at a time. Repeat several times.
  
• Reach. Raise your arms above your head and stretch -- you may need to step into the aisle to do this effectively.
  
• Neck stretch. Slowly drop your head toward one shoulder, then circle your head to the front and end on the other shoulder.
  
  

It's also a good idea to wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing when flying.