TRAVEL WITH SERENA-- FLY HEALTHY

Today's post is quite appropriate, given that I'm supposed to be flying off on a business trip today. I say "supposed to" because we'll see if I actually do fly out. You see, here in NJ we've already had more than four times our annual snowfall, and it isn't even February yet. The snow just keeps coming and coming. I took the picture above on Wednesday. It snowed several inches that morning. It snowed again yesterday. No planes came into Newark Liberty Airport, so I have no idea if there will be a plane for me to fly out on later this morning. The snowman sits on a neighbor's front lawn. It's almost three stories tall. 

Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled post...

Travel editor Serena Brower is always flying off to some exotic spot as part of her job. Amazingly, she rarely takes a sick day. How does she keep from getting ill while cooped up for hours at a time with a couple of hundred strangers and their germs? She’s here to tell us. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! There are some simple tricks to staying healthy while flying. The first thing to keep in mind is that it’s important to keep your immunity up. This means getting the proper amount of sleep prior to your flight. Lack of sleep lowers your immunity and your body’s ability to ward off germs. So don’t wait until the last minute to pack and wind up staying up all or most of the night before an early morning flight. 

Keep in mind that an airplane is like a Petri dish. You’re in a confined space with lots of other people sneezing, coughing, and otherwise spreading their germs throughout the plane. To keep those germs at bay, wash your hands frequently. I like to keep a small container of alcohol-based hand sanitizer in my purse. Remember, germs are spread mostly by touch.

Ever notice that you often feel bloated after a flight? That’s due to the air pressure in the cabin. It slows your digestion. Magnesium is a great counterbalance to this phenomenon. The powdered supplement can be added to tea or water. Or just bring along a snack rich in magnesium, like nuts or whole grains.

Headaches are another nasty side effect of flying. This is due to the dry air within the cabin which causes dehydration. To avoid getting a headache, stay away from alcoholic beverages while flying and drink plenty of water.

Finally, sitting for long periods of time in a confined place at best causes stiffness and sore muscles and at worst can lead to blood clots. Make sure you get up and move around the cabin periodically. While in your seat, exercise. Yes, you read that right. Look in the seat pocket. You’ll find a card that gives you step-by-step instructions for exercising your limbs and muscles and boosting your circulation while you’re seated.

Follow these simple rules, and you’ll arrive at your destination feeling ready to tackle the day.

Thanks, Serena! Great advice, as always. So readers, ever notice that those airplane seats are getting smaller and smaller? With next to no leg room at all? Aside from staying on the ground, how do you deal with the hassles of flying these days? Let’s hear from you. Post a comment to enter the drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA-- TRAVEL TIPS FOR PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Whether you’re planning a trip by plane, train, or automobile, travel editor Serena Brower has some helpful tips for you. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia. When I take a plane trip, I always used to grab one of those complementary little pillows as soon as I entered the cabin. They can be back-savers, especially on long trips. However, most airlines are no longer offering this fluffy little perk.

My first tip today is to pack a small pillow in your carry-on. Place it between your lower back and the seat, and you’ll find your flight far more comfortable, no matter how packed the plane. This works for train trips as well.

And don’t cross your legs! (Not that most planes give you enough leg room to do so nowadays.) When you cross your legs, you put stress on your pelvis and hips. This contributes to lower back pain.

Another tip -- make sure you walk or stand every two hours to keep your blood circulating and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. This is extremely important the longer your flight.

If you’re traveling by car, stop every couple of hours to stretch and walk around. It’s also not a bad idea to do a bit of stretching and/or walking prior to starting your car journey.

Be prepared. No matter how you travel, make sure you pack everything you need. I keep a list of must-haves on my smart phone. Before I take any trip, I check the list against what I’ve packed, making sure I’ve remembered such essentials as prescription meds, sunscreen, hair care products, all necessary clothing (underwear, pj’s, etc.), and emergency items such as band-aids, aspirin, etc.

Thanks, Serena. I won’t be traveling anywhere any time soon, but these are great tips for our readers who do. When I did travel, I usually forgot one essential item each trip.
What about the rest of you? Have you ever forgotten to pack something important? How did it impact your trip? Post a comment to be entered in our giveaway from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA-- FRONT, BACK, OR MIDDLE OF PLANE?

Today travel editor Serena Brower explains why it's best to sit toward the back of the plane. -- AP

Most people like to fly as close to the front of the plane as possible. That way, they’re the first ones off once the plane lands. I used to be one of those people. Not any more. Here’s why:

Ever notice how many people now have “elite” boarding status on any given flight? After the first class and business class passengers are boarded, they’re the next group to be allowed to board. It’s not unusual to find half the passengers in the waiting area queuing up for the “elite” status boarding. By the time your row is called, guess what? There’s no room left in any of the overhead compartments for your carry-on luggage.

If that carry-on happens to be hard-sided with wheels and a handle, no way is it going to fit under the seat in front of you. Now you’ve got to hand it over to the flight attendant to be added to all the checked baggage. And that means a long wait at the other end at the baggage carousel.

The easiest way to avoid getting caught holding your bag is to book a seat toward the back of the plane. Since planes board from back to front, once all the privileged people are boarded, you’ll be one of the first to board when they finally get around to letting the lowly masses down the jetway. This will guarantee you an overhead spot for your carry-on.

However, as in all things in life, there’s give and take, and sitting toward the back of the plane does mean you’ll be one of the last off the plane. So you might not want to choose a seat toward the rear if you have a connection to make. However, if you’re not switching planes, just remain seated when the plane lands and finish the chapter you were reading or the crossword puzzle. Better to wait an extra 10 minutes to leave the plane than a half hour at the baggage carousel, right?

Thanks, Serena, another great travel tip! Got some travel tips or horror tales you'd like to share? Let's hear from you. Everyone who posts a comment this week is entered in the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday author. -- AP