Last weekend I took a flight interstate. I always find flying depleting, no matter how short the trip. I try and counter the depletion by staying hydrated which helps a lot. But this time I tried long deep breathing – and want to share with you a way to feel MUCH better after a flight.
THE DISCOVERY:
With all the time for it, I decided to check out what was going on with my breathing during the flight. Due to the air pressure, I was surprised by how tight and restricted my lungs felt, which meant shallow breathing for the duration of the flight = depleting. So I began consciously breathing, long and deep and immediately felt much better for it and it made a big difference to how much energy and I had on landing.
Actually, I’ve often wondered if breathing deeply on a flight is all that great for you – considering the air quality – but have since learned that the air available on flights is not all recycled, half of it is fresh air from outside. Also, the recycled air is filtered through hospital grade filters – so all in all it’s not that bad.
I also get motion sickness on a bumpy descent and for this used alternate nostril breathing to balance the brain – it worked a treat and the motion sickness went away. Try it for yourself. Alternate nostril breathe for the last 15 minutes of the flight, right through until landing.
What was most astounding was touch-down and how much my lungs opened up once we hit the tarmac. With the air pressure gone, breathing became effortless once again.
I wanted to share this with you as I think conscious long deep breathing, along with staying hydrated can make a big difference to how you feel on landing. Try it the next time you fly. Perhaps just for the descent of your flight if that’s all you can manage – the last 15/20 minutes. I know you’ll feel better on arrival. Let me know if it works for you as it did for me.