Bloating from airplane travel can be very uncomfortable, if not embarrassing. It’s one of the things that make traveling a hindrance.

One of the reasons why we become bloated has to do with our Lymphatic System.

The Lymphatic System is a series of vessels and nodes scattered all throughout our body, which carry a vital fluid known as lymph. This system helps to remove waste from our body and cells, excreting it out through sweat, urine, and stool. It helps to regulate the immune system, as well as maintain fluid balance in our body.

There are several things that can cause our lymph to become congested, two of which can be caused by riding on an airplane.

First, we all know how tight airplanes can be. There isn’t always a lot of room to move around, and we can’t really get up and stretch our legs for very long. The longer the flight, the more inactive we become. All of this inactivity leads to a very slow, rigged Lymphatic System.

And sitting down for long, uninterrupted lengths of time causes blood to collect in our legs and feet, so when we do finally get the chance to get up, they start to swell up.

Second, the naturally low levels of oxygen bring down our circulation, and our blood flow isn’t as active as when we’re down on land and moving around. Having good circulation and blood flow keeps our lymph strong, so it’s no wonder that we start to feel groggy and dizzy up in the air.

But that’s just the Lymphatic System. There are other culprits behind the dreaded travel bloat.

Look no further than your in-flight food! A lot of the options out there contain a lot of junk food and excess sodium, which in excess can lead to a lot of bloating. Be sure to stay hydrated, especially if you choose to eat the airplane food!

The pressure from the cabin in the plane can cause the natural gas in our body to expand, leaving us feeling bloating. And to make matters worse, the combined pressure and trapped dry air within the cabin can suck the moisture right out of the body. Ever feel your skin starting to peel and dry up during a flight? That’s why! Since our Lymphatic System plays a role in hydration and fluid balance, it’s yet another reason to stay hydrated. Water to the rescue!

As for keeping our Lymphatic System regulated, the easiest way to remedy any stagnation is to move. Before, during, and after the flight.

Beforehand, do a quick workout at home, like on one of my ZGYM routines or five-minute routines. If you have enough time before the flight, walk around the airport to stay active.

Once you’ve boarded the plane, it gets trickier. But you don’t have to necessarily remain glued to your seat! You can stand up from time to time, stretch in place, and take a bathroom break. Other things you can do is flex your feet, legs, and arms, to help circulate some blood. Point your feet; make little circles in opposite directions. Contract your calves. Even the smallest of movements down at least every thirty minutes or so helps!

Finally, once you’ve made landing, it’s back to exercise. For some of us, that’s probably the last thing we want to do, but hear me out. All that stagnation and lack of activity up in the plane has left your body very fatigued. Your circulation is very poor, and the lymph all over your body needs to be rejuvenated in order to get back to normal. Do yourself a favor, and try to get your blood pumping. If you’re carrying a device with wifi connection with you, see if you can do one of my ZGYM routines, whether it’s high or low impact. Some hotels come with a little recreation center, and you can use a treadmill or elliptical for a while. It doesn’t have to be an hour; fifteen minutes to half an hour should do the trick.

Yes, traveling can have its downsides, but if you plan things ahead and know what to expect, you can still enjoy the trip and prevent that all-too common bloating many us have come to expect.

References:

https://www.livescience.com/26983-lymphatic-system.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/10/16/body-on-a-plane_n_6100908.html

https://www.vox.com/2014/10/28/7079083/flying-sick-oxygen

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20141218-why-do-we-fart-more-on-planes

http://www.refinery29.com/airplane-skin-tips