Tips on Avoiding and Beating Flight Fatigue

If you feel exhausted after flying on even a short-haul flight that doesn’t cross any time zones, you may be suffering from something called flight fatigue.

First off, flight fatigue usually occurs because of air quality. Federal regulations require the air inside most commercial planes to have only the same atmospheric pressure as  Aspen, Colorado. The result: less oxygen.

Meanwhile cabins are often kept at 10 percent humidity levels – that’s dryer than Death Valley in June.

The best thing you can do to avoid flight fatigue is simple: just breathe. Deep breaths will increase your oxygen intake and stimulate circulation. To make sure you’re breathing properly inhale deeply through your nose while expanding your stomach then exhale through your mouth while tightening your stomach.

And while it’s always a good idea to stay hydrated, it’s especially important in order to avoid flight fatigue. The air in airplanes can dry you out quickly, which can result in headaches and exhaustion. Drink water and skip the alcohol.

For more ways to stay healthy when flying, check out our Health & Fitness section.

Looking for more advice? Click here for more Free Daily Travel Tips.