5 Top Tips to start your spa holiday early
1. Look after yourself on the flight
This means drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and getting up to stretch your legs. You can even do some relaxing stretching exercises in your plane seat to keep your circulation going. Try these:
• Standing in the aisle, stretch your calves by taking a large step back with one leg and reaching into the floor with your back heel.
• Also while standing, stretch your torso and back by twisting gently from side to side.
• Then, when seated, stretch your arms, shoulders, and upper back by extending one arm overhead, bending it, and placing your palm against your shoulder blade. You can use the other arm to increase the stretch.
2. In flight Spa and Detox
If you’re feeling really in the mood to take care of yourself then with the right preparation you can turn your flight into your own personal spa and detox. Take small sample sizes, or decant your favourite products to take on board, clean your face first (airports are grimy) then treat yourself to a rich-hydrating face mask. Keep it on for the duration of the flight, pop on your eye-mask and get some shut-eye. Just before landing wash it off. The mask will lock the moisture in your skin during flying, and you’ll arrive at your spa holiday looking refreshed and revived.
3. Don’t let jet-lag ruin the first few days of your holiday!
If you’re careful, you can minimise the impact of jet-lag by synchronising your body clock before you travel. If you're travelling east, try going to bed earlier for a couple of nights. If you're travelling west, go to bed later. When you get on the plane set your watch to the time zone of your destination and either sleep or stay awake as appropriate. When you arrive at your spa resort or retreat try and get in a short session of moderately intense exercise which may help reset your body clock.
4. Take some good digestive enzyme supplements
Getting a dodgy tummy is one of the most common travel-related problems we can experience. This can be caused by eating unfamiliar foods with too much sodium. Give your tummy a fighting chance by taking some good digestive enzymes tablets (available in any good health-food shop) which will help break down and digest the food you eat. A strong gut will refresh and boost your immune system against all those airplane germs too!
5. Pack some herbal tea bags in your carry-on bag
Caffeine is a no-no if you’re feeling a bit anxious, and it’s also dehydrating, but the options for a herbal alternative might be few and far between until you reach your spa holiday. When the flight attendant comes around with drinks, ask for a cup of hot water and dunk the tea bag that you've already brought! The herbal tea will soothe your travel jitters and relax you enough so you can get some sleep on the plane, arriving refreshed.
Why Wellbeing Escapes?
