Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, there’s no denying that flying can take a toll on your health and wellbeing. But, says author and creativity guru Chris Baréz-Brown, by escaping ‘autopilot’ mode and being more mindful, you can step off the plane feeling enriched rather than exhausted. Here are his top five tips

Pause
Make it your mission to come back feeling better than when you left. We all have different needs but certain things unite us: if we exercise, sleep well, hydrate and eat nutritious foods, we will tune ourselves up for better living. Before your journey, pause and think about what you can do to make sure you come back even shinier than when you were packing your bags. 

Unwind
Being late is one of the biggest sources of stress when travelling, so arrive early at the airport and deal with anything that needs your attention before you fly. Try not to take work onto the plane, but if you have to, aim to make it only creative work that expands your mind. Take note of the Pomodoro Technique, which advocates working in 25-minute intervals with short five-minute breaks in between. Use the time to breathe deeply, stretch and hydrate.

Make people smile
Travelling can make people feel agitated, so smile at them and spread positivity into their lives. By doing so, you will receive positivity back. Take it a step further and tune into your neighbour on the flight, even with just a quick ‘hello’. Our screen-focused world is breeding solitude and loneliness, which makes us unhappy.

Sleep well
It is widely agreed that we all need more sleep than we think we do. Try Kiss The Moon’s Inflight Beauty Sleep Set to relax on the flight. According to founder Jo Foster, research has shown that breathing in certain scents, such as ylang ylang and jasmine, can help bring the two ‘hemispheres’ of our brain into harmony. This helps us feel a sense of calm, and makes it easier to fall asleep.

Remember to breathe
It’s fine to watch a film or listen to music in the tranquillity of your seat, but make sure you unplug, breathe deeply and let your brain power down. Breathing well is one of the best things we can do for our bodies and minds. Dr Andrew Weil devised the 4-7-8 method: breathe in through your nose for a count of four, hold for a count of seven, and breathe out through your mouth for eight. Do this for a few minutes at a time. It will flush out toxins, boost your immune system and relax your mind.

Chris Baréz-Brown is the founder of Upping Your Elvis, which helps businesses realise their creative potential. His app, Wake Up!, is available on iOS and Android

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This article has been tagged Opinion, Travel Tips