06/06/2022                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            To prevent swollen feet during air travel, it is important to move around as much as you can to get your blood flowing. 
Here are 10 tips to promote foot health during air travel. 
1. Watch your diet. The day of and day before you travel, avoid salt as much as possible. Salt can cause you to retain fluid, which can make your feet swell even more.
2. Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of the trip so that you don't start out dehydrated. Bring a bottle of water with you on the plane to keep hydrated. Another plus to drinking a lot of water: 
3. Walk around. Get up several times during the flight, even if it's just to pace up and down the aisles, to get your blood flowing. Try doing this several times each hour to prevent swelling in the feet and legs. 
4. Store your bags overhead. If your feet are fighting for space with your carry-on bags, they'll be cramped even more into awkward positions that cut off the blood supply.
5. Ask for an aisle seat. It will be easier for you to get up and walk around, and you'll have more room to keep your feet comfortable. 
6. Treat your feet to a massage. Kick off your shoes, prop up your feet, and give them a well-deserved rub. A foot massage will help stimulate blood flow and prevent swelling.
7. Exercise your feet. Even when you can't get up and walk around, you can work the muscles in your feet. Point your toes up and down, side to side to get your feet moving. If your feet are swollen already, a few exercises can help get blood flowing again and reduce swelling.
8. Elevate your feet. If possible, keep your feet propped up to stimulate circulation. If there's no one next to you, stretch out and prop your feet up across the seats. If you are trying to relieve swollen feet, propping them up will help them get back down to size and feel better again.
9. Don't cross your legs. Your circulation is already slow when you're sitting for hours, so don't cut it off even more by crossing your legs.
10. Wear proper footwear. Compression socks help reduce swelling and avoid normal socks that constrict above the ankle. Also, slip-on shoes work the best. They can be removed easily and allow you to massage your feet or exercise your feet.
Happy holidays!!