One of the the very least relaxing features of international travel is actually a long time flight journey. Sitting for several hours in a cramped seat in a steel tube close to other people who smell funny is no one's idea of a refreshments. Though the advantages of lengthy haul trip tend to be good: deplaning in a truly exotic location so unique from exactly where you took off, the possibility to explore the world in a way which was unavailable to generations before.

There are a number of techniques that I've come across in my time, in particular on those terrible 12-hour flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai, for surviving the long haul.

Before boarding

Stand up. You are about to be sitting down in a forced position for the next 6-12 hours.No matter how poorly your feet hurt, always keep standing. Go walking around. Browse the magazines. Buy a book. Go to the powder room 6 times. Whatsoever it will take, just don't sit down.

Perform your exercises. I can't explain to you just how stretching prior to an extended haul flight has served me. Specifically, you will certainly desire to stretch your calves, feet and back to be sure they are good and loose prior to all that sitting.

Get bottled drinking water. No matter how much water is provided on the plane, it's not going to be sufficient. You will thank yourself for buying that big container of drinking water before you get on the plane (just make sure you do it right after the security checkpoint).

On board

Drink lots of water. I cannot stress this enough. You must drink lots of water. Planes are usually low on air and high on CO2 output. They offer canned, dry air and they are very, very dehydrating. Having lots of water may help you stay relaxed during the flight and minimize jetlag later on.

Get up frequently. I don't care if it inconveniences the guy sitting next to you, you have to get up and walk around on long haul flights. If you do not, you risk acquiring leg blood clots (known as deep-vein thrombosis), inflammation and cramps. I normally get up once per hour and walk up and down the aisles. Frequently, I will stand (for as long as the flight attendants let me) in the galley near the food service, or by the bathrooms. Usually, I spend time stretching my legs and circulating the plane in a slow walk.

Take entertainment. iPods, books, magazines, a newspaper, crossword puzzles. Yes, all of them. Eight hours inside a cramped tube is not really the time to give up on the entertainment factor.

Ramon van Meer is a travel expert and owner of Lets Fly Cheaper, an Online Travel Consolidator.

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