That's Fit

Travelling this summer? Anticipating jet lag? You might be surprised to hear that new research suggests that a great way to cure jet lag is by skipping meals

I love flying but one aspect I don't like the effect it has on my ears. I'm really sensitive to pressure changes, you see, and sometimes the pressure in my ears caused by the altitude change is uncomfortable. If you have the same problems, consider these suggestions:

• Chew gum. Yes, it's the most common suggestion, because it works. If you don't like gum, suck on a candy, sip some water or eat something.
  
• Swallow and yawn, often.
  
• Close your mouth, plug your nose and gently blow through your nose. Gently is the key here -- blow too hard and you can bust an ear drum. Also, don't do this one if you have a head cold.
  
• If you do have a head cold, take a decongestant.
  
• Place a warm, damp towel over your ears. You know, the kind the flight attendants give out to first class. Don't be afraid to ask for one.
  
• Got a baby travelling with you? Try to have them suck on a pacifier during take off and landing.
  

Have any tips of your own? Please share.

Traveling is easily one of my favorite activities. Whether it's a short road trip with friends or an across the globe adventure, as long as I can get the time off work and scrape together enough money to go, I'm in. The only thing I don't like, is the dazed and crazed look I often sport after several hours of travel time.

I wrote not so long ago about an article that gave tips on how you can maintain your good looks while on a flight -- drinking lots of water and no alcohol, sleep and movement are all key. This time I've come across an article that will help you prepare beforehand, including advice on what to pack and which beauty treatments to try before you hit the road. Whether you're traveling for business or for pleasure, the advice listed here will make sure that you're looking great as soon as you land.

At any given moment, there are 2 million passengers on board commercial flights high above the earth. That's what this article claims, but the amazing thing is that one company is responsible for taking calls from flight attendants if a passenger feels ill. While it gives me a little comfort to know medical events can be called in to professionals, the CNN articles reveals that you should think twice before going airborne if you aren't in tip-top shape to begin with.

The reason being is because flight attendants are not medically trained. If you get sick or ill, the pilot (not a doctor) must weight various factors before deciding if he can divert the plane off-course. This can leave a person feeling very icky thousands of feet in the air.

Consider this: if you just got a cast for a broken bone, there's a chance your arm could slightly swell due to altitude changes which could cause discomfort. The bottom line is simple. If you're not feeling well, don't fly. These are not airborne hospitals with trained professionals, and planes don't always divert for sick passengers. It's easy to understand why this is a hot-button issue, but experts agree that staying grounded is the best choice for unwell fliers.

Want to get a leg up on healthier airplane travel? It's not a bad idea, given the threat of dangerous blood clots -- also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) -- that comes from extended periods of time spent sitting.

The longer you're airborne and the more you fly in short time frames, the greater your risk for DVT. Fortunately, there's something you can do to prevent this serious condition from striking: Exercise.

Exercising right in your airplane seat will keep your blood circulating properly. Northwest Airlines recommends a whole list of exercises -- ankle turns, knee lifts, shoulder circles, knee bends and more -- and you can access them right here. Take a peek, jot them down, and pack them in your carry-on bag. They'll surely come in handy next time you fly the friendly skies.

I love technology -- when it works in my favor. Give me a locked up computer or an automated telephone voice recording that buries me deep in unwanted options and I get pretty frustrated. When technology makes my life easier, though -- like when it allowed me to print my airline boarding pass at home so I could avoid long airport lines this past weekend -- I'm all for it. I'm also a fan of the health-related information that popped up on my computer screen while printing that glorious boarding pass.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was the topic listed in bold print at the bottom of my pass. A blood clot condition caused by prolonged sitting and occurring primarily in the lower legs, DVT has become an issue of concern for travelers packed like sardines on airplanes. Jammed tight with other passengers with barely enough leg room to wiggle a foot and with luggage, food, and beverage carts blocking the aisles, it's critical we find a way to move around. If we don't, we risk the formation of a blood clot that can break away and become a pulmonary embolism.

For a mini education on the DVT topic, check out this website. And take a look at a few of our previous That's Fit posts that address this scary health issue.

Top 6 hospital risks
Take a walk, pal
Taking a long flight this Christmas? Stretch your legs
Some tips for avoiding blood clots
Stand up and stretch -- it's good for the veins

Do you like airline food? No, that's not a trick question -- some people do. I know I've had some great meals while flying (I've only ever flown coach, by the way.) Here's another question: How healthy do you think airline meals are? They seem pretty decent -- there's always some veggies, a bit of protein, a salad, some sort of grains. Yeah, meals seem a bit on the fatty side but it's a small portion so it can't be that bad, right?

Think again. Airline food is loaded with fat, sugar and carbs. Want examples? Check out this article from Diet Detective. The Smartpack on United Airlines, for example, is a whopping 810 calories - yikes!

There's more about airline food you don't know. Check out this article from MSNBC for a look into the dirty secrets of airline food.

Blood clots are an uncomfortable and potentially fatal condition. And unfortunately, in our society where we're often expected to sit for long periods of time--on planes, at our desks--they're an all-too-common occurrence. If you're planning on taking a long-haul flight this holiday season, make sure you take steps to prevent a blood clot -- you're life could depend on it. Here are some tips:

• Talk to your doctor beforehand to determine if you have any risk factors for DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolisms.
  
• If you're at risk, make sure you're not taking any medications that can lead to clots. Birth control pills and patches are a common medication that have been shown to lead to blood clots.
  
• Drink lots of water before, during and after long flights.
• Avoid lying down for long stretches of time

When your luggage weighs too much, you have to pay an extra fee. But could this kind of excess weight tax be applied to your body weight as well? One doctor in Australia thinks so -- according to Dr John Tickell, an expert in nutrition and weight control, obese travellers should have to pay extra rates to fly because they are driving up the cost of flights for everyone, since it takes more jet fuel to transport them. Really? If that's true, it does seem a little unfair for all of us to be paying the same price, especially since we encourage airlines to charge more for people who bring too much luggage because we don't want to pay for their extravagance.

Still, it seems cruel and embarrassing to base the cost of a flight on how much someone weighs. What do you think of this idea?

A few weeks ago I arrived in Sydney after a 25 hour journey -- at least 18 of which was spent sandwiched in a plane -- from Canada and arrived tired, jet-lagged and looking pretty rough apparently (a friend I saw that day later told me I looked "like death"). While I realize that it may not be easy to step off an airplane after a long haul flight looking fresh and lovely, I don't think that it's impossible to at least appear somewhat decent. I know that I hope to never arrive in a new place for a holiday looking deathly again!

I suppose it's tough to completely avoid jet lag and the weary, messy look that often results from a long journey, but there are definitely steps you can take that will help you look great as you step onto the gangway. I've been on my fair share of 10-plus hour airplane trips and have found many of the tips listed here can be a big help:

Drink lots and lots and lots of water. I know it's hard to bring any liquids on to a plane with all of the carry-on restrictions these days, but you can usually buy a bottle after going through security. Also make sure to accept any water offered by your flight attendants. It will help you stay hydrated and keep your skin looking good, and also help prevent you from getting bloated.

In a similar vein, avoid alcohol as it will dehydrate you. I know that for many it's not an enjoyable option, but there will be plenty of time for revelry once you've landed.

Move around as much as possible. Not only does this help prevent deep vein thrombosis, which can be deadly, it also keeps you from getting stiff muscles so you can walk tall as you exit the plane.

Invest in some nice face and hand cream, and bring along eye drops and a tooth brush. Moisturizer, along with water, will ensure your skin looks refreshed and the drops will keep you looking bright-eyed despite all of the dry, recirculated air. I assume that the tooth brush is pretty self-explanatory.

Sleep as much as possible. It's not easy for everyone to do sitting at an angle with strangers wedged in on either side, but being well-rested will obviously help you look well-rested, so do your best to catch a few winks.

Sure you may not get to your destination with the great hair, perfect make-up and clean, ironed clothing that you left with, but if you stick to these 5 rules you should at least arrive looking good enough to be included in a few first day of vacation photos.

Have any of you travel fans out there got any tips for the rest of us that you'd like to share?

For many people, flying can be really nerve-wracking. Getting to the airport on time, putting all liquids in clear, resealable bags, remembering important travel documents, the threat of lost luggage, making connections and much more, make airplane journey's stressful.

With all of these things to think about, you definitely don't want to also have to worry about getting sick or feeling ill on-board. In order to stay as healthy and happy as possible on your next flight, get prepared ahead of time with these 10 tips from AOL Body .

Suggestions include everything from making sure to get up and move around in order to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) , washing hands or using antibacterial wipes to avoid picking up germs from your seatmates and swallowing, chewing gum and yawning to pop blocked ears. For more information on these as well as additional tips, such as staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol, check out the entire piece here on AOL Body.

I've written before about how Madonna seems to be a healthy celebrity because she is very active and supposedly eats well. But the pop superstar recently freaked out fellow passengers on a trans-Atlantic flight with her seemingly un-healthy behaviour -- not only did she not eat a single thing on the 7-hour flight, but she injected herself with vitamins in her arms. It's believed that she injected vitamins B6 and B12 to boost her energy.

Nutritionists in Britain have criticized her behaviour, saying, "Vitamin injections are an extreme and dangerous fad which has come from the US - it is not very popular over here yet and hopefully will not take off."

I for one don't understand why she can't just swallow her vitamins like everyone else. I also don't understand why she wouldn't go to the bathroom to give herself an injection -- I'm not an etiquette expert but that seems to be fairly bad form. And seven hours without eating? That's a bit extreme. What do you think?

The last really long flight I endured took a lot out of me. I get nervous on airplanes so I'm happy just to land safely and in one piece, but I have to admit that it would be nice to arrive not feeling totally bagged. There are a few lucky people who get to spend their time lounging in luxury in first or business class, and for them, these voyages probably aren't so bad.

But for the rest of us squished back in coach, 10-plus hours in the air can be tough to take. And with new 15-, 16, and 17-hour flights becoming more common, it's more important than ever to find ways to get through it. If you've got a long plane ride ahead, here are a few tips that might make things more bearable:

• Try to get some sleep. It helps pass the time and even a few hours will help you arrive feeling rested.
• Walk around the cabin and find a spot to do some simple stretches. Light exercise will keep you from getting stir-crazy, and will also help prevent the deep-vein thrombosis that can be caused by sitting for hours.
• Pick a good seat. It is worth paying extra or checking in early to make sure you get the additional legroom provided in an emergency exit row, or the added freedom of an aisle seat. Sitting in the middle is not an option.
• Read a good book. You've got a lot of time to kill, so use it wisely and enjoy a novel you haven't had the chance to get into.
• Wear comfortable clothing. If your feel swell and you get a bit bloated, tight clothes and shoes will only make you feel worse.
• Drink lots of water. It's easy to get dehydrated when eating airplane food and breathing recirculated air. If you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, you'll feel better overall throughout the flight.

Want a few more ideas? Take a look here for more suggestions that will help you stay happy and feeling good on your next long-haul flight.

In the wake of all of the Live Earth concerts that took place over the weekend, I thought it would be interesting to chat about the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet. Unveiled on Sunday, the airplane has definitely got people talking (just google 'Boeing Dreamliner' and you'll see what I mean).

It's a fact that normal airplanes use up tonnes of fuel and cause a huge amount of pollution. This new green machine seats up to 330 passengers, but on a long-haul flight uses 20% less fuel than a regular, similarly-sized airplane. In addition, it releases far fewer greenhouse emissions than other planes.

Not only is this good news for everyone because it's better for the environment, it will also hopefully be good for our wallets. Flights keep getting more expensive, in part because of the rising cost of gasoline. In theory, if the Dreamliner uses less fuel, airlines that utilize the jet will spend less on gas, making it possible for them to charge less for tickets. Whether or not this will actually happen remains to be seen, but since it's an Eco-friendly option either way, I'm definitely on board.

Alright I can guess what you're thinking -- "Yeah right, sunglasses prevent jet lag my butt!" Having experienced some extreme and long-lasting jet lag recently, I too find it hard to believe that a simple pair of sunglasses could have helped me out. However, knowing how hard it was to drag myself to work in the morning while suffering from long -haul flight-related lack of sleep, I was curious about what this article had to say.

It claims that the results of a study conducted by the Edinburgh Sleep Centre suggests that fliers can adjust their internal body clocks (yes, there IS such a think according to the piece) by adjusting their amount of light intake. If you don't wear sunglasses, it takes 1 day to readjust to normal sleeping patterns for every hour of time zone flown toward the west and even more when flying east.

According to the study, the trick is to wear sunglasses during the last few hours of an overnight flight and to continue to do so for the first few hours after getting off the plane and this should help with jet lag. The piece also mentions that many make the mistake of resorting to drinking alcohol to help them sleep, which doesn't help in the long run. For more information and some tips on avoiding and dealing with jet lag, check out the article here.