Compression stockings, electrolytes, air-dried steak

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Good afternoon, 66.1ers.

Heading to Norway on Wednesday. Reminded me of a few conversations I’ve had with people lately about how to stay healthy while traveling. Here’s my best shot at pulling together a list.

1. Compression stockings
   If your flight is 2+ hours, it’s worth the fashion faux pas to wear a pair of compression stockings.
   When you’re sedentary for hours at a time, blood pools in your lower extremities.
   This puts pressure on your blood vessels and can exacerbate challenges like varicose veins. 
   At the very least, you’ll be feeling puffy.

   Not fun!

   I like these.
   

2. Noise-cancelling headphones

   The plane is loud.
   If you don’t have a noise-cancelling option, you’ll be turning up the volume to out-compete the noise of the engine. 

   Not great for your ears.

   Apple’s AirPods work for me.
   

3. Electrolyte supplement
   Plane air is dry.
   Your diet and liquid intake will be thrown off. 

   Code for: you’ll be dehydrated when you arrive at your destination.
   That leads to low energy, headaches, and sub-optimal performance.
   You know I like LMNT.
   

4. Zero drop shoes
   Sitting in an ergonomically incorrect airplane seat for hours at a time means things are going to get tight.
   Hamstrings.
   Hip flexors.
   And, eventually, you’ll have to stand up and walk a reasonable distance to catch a connecting flight.
   Rather than reinforcing bad posture habits like anterior pelvic tilt with a pair of heel-lifted shoes, go for something zero-drop.
   Altra if you like a little cushion.
   Merrell trail glove if you’re a true minimalist. 
   

5. Hoodie

   It’ll keep you warm.
   Get hot and you can take it off.
   Shove it against the window to use as a pillow. 

   Origin is Made in the USA and durable. 
   

6. Water
   Nothing fancy here.
   Bring a liter on the plane.
   Ask the flight attendants for more.
   Stay hydrated.
   If you have to get up to pee, that’ll help your circulation.
   A win-win.
   

7. Healthy snacks (or nothing at all)

   When you’re sitting there, watching a movie on the seat back, you’re the ultimate captive audience.
   You’ll take the pretzels and the biscuits and devour them like there’s no tomorrow (speaking from experience!). 

   And then you’ll feel like you ate a brick because they’re full of processed sugar and seed oils.
   Don’t fall for that trap.
   Bring a healthy snack.
   I like the air-dried steak from JoBurg meats. 
   Nothing wrong with a bit of intermittent fasting, either.
   

8. A mission
   Some might say I’m neurotic for this one.
   Fine.
   Sometimes, when you’re chasing a big goal, you’re not willing to spend a bunch of hours not working toward your goal.
   And a flight can be the best time to focus on this mission.
   Your phone doesn’t work, so it’s harder to be distracted.
   Your coworkers can’t send Slack messages.
   You get it.
   Lock in and spend a few hours working toward your big goal.
   When I head to Norway on Wednesday, I’ll have a few tools to keep business moving forward. 

As always, this isn’t a comprehensive list.
What did I miss?
What’s your #1 suggestion for keeping your health on track when you’re traveling?

Have fun out there.

Marcus