Should I rest after a long flight?

Prioritize rest. After a serious time-zone change, “I love to take a nap,” says Kristal Hicks of Top Tier Travel Group. Even if you're someone who can sleep on planes, a proper nap in a bed feels more restful, because you get to extend your body, Hicks says.



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It usually takes 3-4 days after your flight to recover. Though jet lag symptoms can be pretty uncomfortable, take heart in the fact that they usually don't last very long.

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When you land, there are also a few things you should try to do.
  1. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
  2. Go for a short burst of cardio. ...
  3. Keep drinking water.
  4. Sleep, or if you can't sleep, rest in a darkened room very soon after arriving at your final destination.


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Feeling unwell directly after a flight is often the cause of low humidity. Planes have a different atmospheric pressure than we are used to, which can cause the nasal passages to dry, leading to symptoms resembling flu.

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Limit naps in the days following your arrival.
If you need it, taking a short nap can help you stay awake during the day. But napping for more than 30 minutes can keep you from falling asleep at night. Try to stay awake until your normal bedtime and get up on time the next day.

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Practice self-care to avoid post-travel fatigue
Stay hydrated, eat nutritious foods, get some exercise, and try to take it easy on alcohol and caffeine—at least while your body's trying to overcome jet lag.

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What is post-flight flu? Feeling unwell after a flight can feel miserable, and the culprit? Low humidity in the airplane. There is low moisture in the air which in turn can dry out your nasal passages, leading to flu-like symptoms.

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Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two after traveling across at least two time zones. Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the farther you travel. This is especially true if you fly east. It usually takes about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

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And while most people will be fine existing in a high-altitude environment for long periods, those who are sensitive may feel mild hypoxia or low oxygen in body tissues. This non-critical hypoxia may cause travelers to experience headaches and feel more tired.

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Tips for travelling on a plane
  1. Wear flight socks. Flight socks are not only recommended for people who have circulation issues, but for all travellers who are flying long haul. ...
  2. Pack snacks. ...
  3. Keep drinking water. ...
  4. Plan your flight schedule before you go. ...
  5. Freshen up before you land. ...
  6. Bring a small light jacket on board.


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Should you shower after getting off a plane? If you do happen to pick up bacteria or fungi that's not your own, this may lead to itchiness and bumps on the skin and scalp. Showering after flights is probably a good thing—regardless of the length! —if only to have that clean feel after being cooped up in a cabin.

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Plane travel makes jet lag worse because your body moves much faster than your brain and circadian rhythms can process the time change. Other aspects of travel can also contribute to jet lag and may make symptoms worse: Long periods of sitting on a plane. Lack of oxygen and decreased air pressure in the airplane cabin.

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The cramped conditions and long periods of being less active on a flight can cause pain, stiffness or swelling of your legs. Being less active can lead to slow blood flow in your veins which increases your risk of developing a blood clot, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs most commonly form in the legs.

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Disembarkment syndrome is a neurological condition usually occurring after a cruise, aircraft flight, or other sustained motion event. The phrase “mal de débarquement” is French and translates to “illness of disembarkation”.

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Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two after traveling across at least two time zones. Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the farther you travel. This is especially true if you fly east. It usually takes about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

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Most people find that jet lag is worse when traveling east than it is when traveling west. View Source . Jet lag differs based on the direction of travel because it's generally easier to delay your internal clock than advance it. Jet lag does not occur on north-south flights that do not cross multiple time zones.

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Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when a person's circadian rhythm is out of sync with the time zone they are in. Jet lag symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and irritability typically improve within a few days as your body adapts.

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“The key to good post-plane hair is washing and blow-drying your hair the day of your flight and not using too much product,” says Atkin.

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If you don't shower after your flight you may end up depositing germs that aren't your own into your new space; particularly your bed. But showering with soap, and shampoo for the hair, removes any of the germs you may have picked up, as well as reduces the levels of your own that have grown over time.

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Travel: For some people, sitting for a long time in a car or airplane can cause fluid retention. The lack of circulation allows fluid to build up; however, the swelling usually goes away in a day or two.

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Remember that anything over 6 hours flying time is considered long haul, but flights of longer than 10 hours are not uncommon either. One important thing to remember is to keep your seat belt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.

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