I love the exhilaration of jetting off to a new destination…barreling down the runway at around 200 mph thrills me to no end. Truth be told, I used to be terrified of flying, but these days there’s nothing more satisfying than cruising at 35,000 feet to a foreign land.

Flying for most people can feel like a necessary evil…one that leaves you wiped out and disoriented once you land. And while it can be a drag to be cooped up in a tin can for 5+ hours, there are some real hazards to be aware of while on those long haul flights.  Here’s some of personal tips and professional advice to help you exit the plane feeling (somewhat) rejuvenated.

While boozing it up is always a fun way to meet fellow passengers and ease the fears of travel, the basic fact is flying and alcohol just don’t mix. Dehydration is the most common problem while in the air, primarily because the humidity levels on planes range from only 10 to 20 percent. So if you must indulge, counteract with lots of water or carry on a bottle of your favorite sports drink. Regardless, if you’re drinking alcohol or not, a few bottles of water should always be readily on hand and consumed during the flight. Airline food can be packed with sodium…unless you’re lucky enough to find yourself in business class, skip those packaged meals and carry on a more healthy option. I also normally pack unsalted nuts, lowfat cheese and dark chocolate to ease my inevitable hunger pains halfway through the flight.

Be sure to moisturize as much as you can. Along with your favorite skin moisturizer bring eye drops, saline nasal sprays and lip balms on board.  I’m forever applying all this stuff while in flight and I find it makes a world of difference for my overall comfort and key to walking off the plane feeling refreshed. Try and score an emergency aisle seat (even if you have to pay a bit more), but whichever seat you’re in, roll up a sweater or scarf and create a lumber support for your lower back. Above all, the most important thing to remember is to stretch and move about. I personally know a few people who have suffered edemas (blood clots) while flying. Flex your calf muscles as much as possible and get up and walk around. There’s even some stylish “compression socks” (http://www.rejuvahealth.com) on the market right now to help with circulation. Ok, they’re not that stylish but unless you’re determined to join the mile high club while you’re up there, nobody will ever know you’re wearing them. For more information, some airlines have an entire section of their websites devoted to healthy tips while flying. Check out these tips from both United and British Airways.

The key to getting your vacation off to a stellar start is exiting the plane feeling as refreshed as possible. Happy flying!