Put Vaseline around your nose, gargle with mouthwash and NEVER drink alcohol: The secrets to staying healthy on board a long haul flight

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While you may be excited for that trip of a lifetime, the prospect of a long haul flight to get there is always a downside.

Sitting on a plane for hours at a time can cause a myriad of problems, from catching a cold to sleep deprivation. 

Recently, the Australian-based blogger from Women in the Black, Chloe Quinn, revealed a host of simple tricks to help you stay healthy on your long haul flight and get to your destination in better, less sickly spirits.

From putting Vaseline up your nose to gargling with mouthwash, there are plenty which are unexpected.

Sitting on a plane for hours at a time can cause a myriad of problems, from catching a cold to sleep deprivation

GARGLE AND SWILL

Top of the slightly unusual things to do is gargling and swilling with antibacterial mouthwash.

According to Ms Quinn, research has shown that flying heightens your chances of catching a cold, while swilling mouthwash and tea tree oil and water can help to lessen this.

'Use your own water, never the water in the aeroplane bathroom taps,' Ms Quin cautioned.

Stretch your legs by going for a walk down the aisle and try and change your seating position often (stock image)

KEEP MOVING 

Sitting in the same position for ten hours plus is not a great feeling, but it can cause more serious issues than irritability.

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when blood clots in the veins, and is usually found in the legs. 

Long haul flights are a dangerous situation to develop DVT, so it's a good idea to keep moving every few hours.

Stretch your legs by going for a walk down the aisle and try and change your seating position often.

Compression tights are also a good idea to wear on long haul flights, as they help to prevent swelling.

Rubbing Vaseline up your nostrils helps keep them from drying out, as airplanes have very low humidity 

TRY VASELINE AROUND YOUR NOSE 

Believe it or not, this works!

Rubbing Vaseline around your nostrils helps to keep them from drying out, as airplanes have very low humidity, Ms Quin said. 

Smooth a small amount of Vaseline or petroleum jelly around your nostrils and under the nose, but avoid placing it inside your nose.

No one likes sleeping with a blocked, dry nose. Ms Quin recommends mixing Vaseline with an essential oil for the antibacterial benefits and also the scent.

Alternatively, use a nasal spray to keep your nose from dying out, but do so every few hours.

MOISTURISE 

As well as dried-up nostrils, the rest of your skin can suffer on flights with the low humidity and air quality.

The blogger advocates that you keep a tube of moisturiser in your carry-on luggage to keep your skin soft and hydrated throughout the flight. 

Keep a tube of moisturiser in your carry on luggage so keep your skin soft and hydrated throughout the flight (stock image)

BRING ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES

If you're a mother, chances are you already have a packet of antibacterial wipes loaded in your handbag for emergency situations.

Take a leaf out of your mum's book and be sure to bring a packet on board to wipe down everything from the tray table to the seat belt.

They are also an absolute essential for airplane toilets, which have been found to harbour germs you wish you didn't know about. 

Be sure to bring a packet of antibacterial wipes on board to wipe down everything from the tray table to the seat belt (stock image)

TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN 

It's no surprise airplane food is not exactly top quality and is lacking in the nutrition department.

As vitamin C is known to help combat the common cold, it might be worth taking one before the flight and a chewable tablet while on board.

This is because the Vitamin C is cooked out your airline meal long before the food reaches your tray table.

DRINK LOTS - BUT NO ALCOHOL

Last but not least, Ms Quin said you should make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids - but not alcohol if you can possibly avoid it.

'As tempting as it is to try and knock yourself out with the free alcohol on offer, it's one of the worst things you can do to yourself in flight,' she said.

Instead, you should focus on water and diluted fruit juice. It's worth avoiding caffeine too, as this serves as a diuretic.

To read more from The Woman In Black, click here.