There’s little worse than feeling sick and having no escape from the thing that’s making you sick. But sometimes that’s the reality of flying. So how can you make this situation a little less awful or better yet prevent it altogether? Here are my tips for how to survive a long flight from over 20 years of flying with a sensitive belly.
Contents
Before You Board
Choose your seat wisely
If you’re prone to airsickness, you always want to choose a window seat over the wings or a seat near the front of the plane. You’ll feel less of the motion of the plane from these seats and decrease your chances of developing airsickness and in turn, help yourself survive a long flight.
Pack your bags carefully
One of the best ways to avoid or recover from airsickness is to come prepared. Even if you’ve never been sick on a plane before make sure you have these things in the bag you put under the seat in front of you:
- anti-nausea medication
- anti-diarrhea medication
- ginger chews
- a light bland snack like crackers
- water
Drink water and use the restroom
Eat light the day you fly and the day before. Avoid foods that make you feel anything other than full after you eat them. Anything that has you feeling bloated or running to the bathroom on the ground will do the same thing in the air. Avoid greasy, salty, sugary foods and drinks. Keep your caffeine intake to your usual level or a little bit less. Avoid alcohol. Drink plenty of water the day before and day of your flight as being hydrated will help you survive a long flight. Dehydration will only increase your likelihood of feeling sick. Finally, use the bathroom a few minutes before you board so that your system is as empty as possible before subjecting your body to the stresses of flight.
On The Plane
Locate the airsick bag
You don’t want to feel sick and have to dig through the seat pocket to find the airsick bag only to discover it has a hole in it. I speak from experience. Place it in the front of the pocket where it is easy to reach if you don’t feel well. Even if you don’t use it, it feels kind of like a security blanket if you think the worst may happen. (Bonus: If you’re on an empty-ish flight without assigned seats and you make a show of looking for it, the person next to you may switch seats.)
Take your medications to survive a long flight
Take your anti-nausea medications at the first sign of nausea and your anti-diarrhea medications at the first sign of diarrhea. You brought them for a reason. You can also decrease nausea by chewing on ginger gum or ginger chews. You can pick these up at most pharmacies in the US.
If you’re prone to certain symptoms when you fly, then go ahead and take medications for that before you get on the plane or as soon as you board.
Breathe deeply
Close your eyes and breathe. Focus on your breathing and ignore everything. This will calm your body and can decrease symptoms of an upset stomach so you can survive a long flight.
Stretch your legs
Standing can help your body get a better sense of balance. The motion of taking a walk and stretching often helps my symptoms calm down at least for a few minutes.
Ask for what you need
Flight attendants are there to care for you and they have seen it all. If you need water, help adjusting the fan above your seat, a new airsick bag, or more tips on how to survive a long flight while you feel awful, ring the call bell and ask. Be polite, friendly, and honest. No one has witnessed more airsickness than a flight attendant so they know all the tricks to wellness too.
After You Land
Drink water
Water is your best friend when you’re sick. If you’ve been throwing up or had diarrhea then you are at high risk of becoming dehydrated. You’ll recover more quickly if you keep your fluid intake up.
Eat a little
When you’re ready, have some crackers or something light. At this point, an empty stomach won’t help you.
Be grateful for standing still
Before you get in your ground transportation, take a few minutes to stand or sit still. If you’re not quite feeling better yet, getting on a new form of transportation will only make things worse.
What are your best tips for surviving nausea and/or diarrhea on planes?
Afraid of Not Feeling Well While Traveling? Here are More Tips to Survive!
- Natural Remedies for the Weary Traveler
- What Kind of Sick Traveler Are You?
- How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
- The Challenges of Traveling With Food Allergies
- Travel Tips for India: How to Stay Safe, Cool and Illness-Free
Erin Southerland is a travel writer and fitness coach based in Pittsburgh, PA. She writes about her adventures at Don’t Forget to Eat.
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