Week 10 is almost over and so are midterms. Some of us are packing for Japan and some of us are planning for a spring break trip to China organized by NUHS.

Flight to Japan or China is roughly about 15 hours if you’re lucky and have a nonstop one. If you stop somewhere in Europe or Canada, it’s going to be about 20 hours. It is a long flight and it can get uncomfortable very fast. I’ve been flying back home to Romania for the last 12 years and I still feel a bit tired at the end of the flight.

How do I keep myself healthy while flying? 

I’m sure you all know that first you have to keep yourself hydrated. I hate ice water and I always carry my pouch water bottle with me and make sure I fill it with the best water I can find in the airport. Yes, I’ll probably pay more, but I prefer to drink good water and not something that will taste like chlorine! If I have enough space in my overnight bag I’ll buy a couple of water bottles or some fresh squeezed juice depending on what you can find around your gate. At O’Hare airport I’m always happy if I’m close to Frontera so I can have fresh squeezed juice and some good food.

Long flights mean very dry skin, poor feet circulation, red and itchy eyes, and so on… So, I’ll have some compression socks, homeopathic eye drops and facial toner, layers, travel-size blanket, foldable tote (think Longchamp but the search on Amazon will show you totes that look exactly the same and are so much cheaper!), a pair of foldable flats, and a change of clothes (including undies). 

Trying to describe all the things I have in my overnight bag (which just sits on top of my carry on) I realized I have so many things! I’ll just give you my list and you choose whatever you feel is more important to you:

• Homeopathic products: Cocculus (most important for jetlag), Nux vomica, Borax, Tabacum, Apis, Kali phos, Belladona, Arnica gel, and pellets.
• Facial toner: I have one with Chamomile and Blue Cornflower but you can choose even Rosewater and you’ll be fine.
• Sanitizers: I have a liquid one and a bunch of different hand and facial wipes.
• Supplements: digestive enzymes, digestive bitters, nettle capsules, vitamin C, omegas, trace minerals, electrolytes, throat drops, ear seeds and some immunity herbs, a couple of travel-size essential oils bottles.
• Travel-size: deodorant, hand lotion, breath refresher, perfume, very small jar of coconut oil, toothpaste, facial cleanser, lip balm, soap. I don’t usually put make-up on for such a long flight because at the end of the flight, it will all be gone and my face will still be very dry no matter what. If you need to look your best after you leave the airport pack some concealer, some moisturizing foundation, lip gloss, and blush, and it should be enough.
• A bunch of tea and coffee packets: I love nettle and peppermint tea and the coffee that has immunity mushrooms in it.
• Electronics and other things: iPad, iPhone, Kindle, a hard cover book, ear plugs, sleep mask, retractable cable lock, pillow, camera, universal charger, headphones. If you have to study or work on your computer by all means take advantage of the time and do the work. The time will fly faster and you won’t get the chance to get bored.
• Food: protein powder packets, some bars, almonds and cashews, bananas, etc. I don’t worry too much about food because I know my body will crave the water and not the food. Most of the times I prefer to choose my own food and I usually go for the vegan or fruit-only choices. If you’re flying economy, no matter the airline, food is not going to be very good, so pack accordingly to your food preferences. Remember, you are allowed to bring food with you. I also bring with me travel-size sea salt and spices. Restrictions apply only to liquids!

Hope this list will make your trips and flights smoother and more enjoyable!