Dr. Mehmet Oz, cardiothoracic surgeon, host of the nationally syndicated Dr. Oz Show, and best-selling author, offers these five tips for staying healthy while flying to a meeting:
1. Pop an Aspirin Before a Long Flight
Long periods of sitting put more people at risk for pulmonary embolism. Dr. Oz pops an aspirin before a flight to help prevent this.
2. Take a Supplement Before a Flight
A vitamin supplement will help your immune system cope with the re-circulated air. "It's not the person sitting next to you that is the problem. Due to the airflow on an airplane, the person diagonally in front of you can infect you," says Dr. Oz.
3. Have a Jet Lag Strategy
Melatonin, a natural, non-addicting hormone supplement, will help with jet lag, shifting the brain to the new time zone. Use light as your ally. If you expose yourself to light first thing in the morning, it will set your circadian rhythm. Stay up for the next 14 to 16 hours and you will soon be back in rhythm.
4. Pack a Scarf
"I use it to shelter my nose and face on flights," Dr. Oz divulges.
5. Sanitize Your Hands
Pack an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and use it often. "I use it before I am going to be shaking a lot of hands," explains Dr. Oz.
For more tips on planning healthy meetings, click here.