Flying can be exhausting. I’ve done a lot of long flights. A red-eye across the country can be pretty draining but really, that’s a simple and common flight if you really think about it. Trips to Asia, New York to Hawaii, coming home from Eastern Europe, that’s a true long flight. Here are some tips to get you through any length trip that you may a little help with getting through.

1. Wear layers. No matter what the weather is, I always travel in a light top and with an oversized scarf. Wearing a light top makes layering easier and even though 90% of the time your flight is going to be cold, you really never know. The scarf you can use it as a pillow, blanket, shawl, or wrap. And easiest thing is that it can be taken on and off easily. I also try to keep a light jacket or sweater handy if it gets too cold on the plane or in the airports.
2. Have your snacks prepared. The worst is when you aren’t prepared with any type of snacks and you can’t find anything in the airport that’s easy to snack on. Back in July, I was so early for my flight and hadn’t brought anything to the airport, I ended up buying $20 scrambled eggs and literally wanted to die. TSA will let you bring anything that is not opened through security (as long as it’s not liquid obviously.) I usually take some sort of nuts and protein bars with me in my bag.
3. Dress comfortable. Not like a slob, comfortable. If you want any chance of getting an upgrade at all, whether it’s at an airline, car rental or hotel, you need to be dressed properly. I’m not saying dress up but there’s a way to be comfortable and still not look like a hot mess express. I love a good pair of compression leggings, a cute top and sneakers.
4. Have your technology prepared and backed up. I always make sure my laptop and phone are fully charged, as well as my back up battery pack. Before any flight, while I still have WiFi, I make sure to download my favorite podcasts or movies. I’ve sat on too many planes in front of a broken TV with nothing to do for five hours to not have a back up plan anymore. I also make sure I have multiple headphones. I once downloaded a bunch of podcasts just to get on the plane and not have my iPhone headphones. (palm to face)
5. Pack up my toiletries. I make sure I always have WetOnes, tampons, tinted moisturizer, mascara, deodorant, hand sanitizer, and a toothbrush at arms reach. Usually right under the seat in front of me. There is nothing worse than being stuck in the window seat and needing to grab something from the overhead bins. Talk about annoying. So, keep them close to you so that you can grab them all if needed.
6. Have a pen handy. Especially when traveling internationally. You don’t want to be that one asking everyone around you for a pen when you’re filling out your immigration forms. Stick it with your toiletries for easy access.
7. Back up sleep aids. Sometimes, no matter how tired you are, you just can’t get comfortable enough on the plane to sleep. It’s terrible. I’ve tried a few different tricks though: sleepy time tea, wine, taking melatonin. My new favorite is using my Young Living sleep spray. I brought this with me to Canada and spayed it on my chair before we took off, and on my pillows before going to sleep and I slept throughout the whole night.
8. Have a good bag. I FINALLY found my favorite carry on. For me, a backpack works best. I found this one on Amazon a few months ago and it worked perfect for my trip to Canada. There’s a spot for my laptop, a cord to charge your phone, an outside pouch for those easy to grab items you may need (ID and passport), and not too big that I’m going to load it up. I actually used it while hiking too and it was perfect.