Post-flight pick-me-ups

Everyone loves a good holiday, but the crippling jet lag when you get back? Not so fun. From dried out skin to swollen ankles and aching joints, long distance travel can wreak havoc on your body. Whether it’s lack of sleep or those uncomfortable plane seats, jet-lag can erase your holiday zen in an instant, leaving you feeling slow and sluggish before you’ve even reached the baggage claim. But what if we told you that with a few expert treatments, there’s a way you can reverse that travel angst, leaving you feeling limber, rejuvenated and ready to snap back to reality? Whether it’s a treatment that promises to reset your body clock or a facial that breaths life back into dry skin, we promise, you won’t feel like you need a holiday from your holiday. Read on to find out more…

By Rebecca Hoffnung

• 1 Banish dry skin with an oxygen facial

  So you’ve spent the week moisturising religiously to keep your holiday tan in tip top shape, only for it to all but disappear once you get off the plane on the other side. The reason? Harsh air conditioning on flights is well known for drying out your skin, leaving it scaley and trapped of oxygen. Unfortunately, this triggers your skin to start prematurely flaking, leaving your well-earned tan in a sorry state within hours of touching down. Introducing the oxygen facial. Like a tall glass of water for your complexion, this hydrating treatment is designed to leave skin bright and luminous, breathing much-needed moisture back into your face, which is key in helping to slow down the drying process. Having already gained a huge celebrity following for its rejuvenating and restorative properties, oxygen facials are also known to lighten sun damage, and have great antibacterial properties to help kill nasty bacteria that can build up on the skin after a stuffy flight. So next time you’re booking in for a holiday, why not book in for one of these dreamy facials while you’re at it. Your tan will love you for it.
• 2 Toxins be gone with a lymphatic drainage massage

  The lymphatic system is what helps to detoxify the body, bringing nutrients to cells and removing waste. Travelling can be tough on this system, as it relies on movement and deep breathing to keep the fluids in motion. Often the pain and discomfort of travel is caused by this lack of movement, which can result in a buildup of fluid in your face, hands and feet. Though these side effects such as swelling and pain caused by sitting for long periods can easily be counteracted through the hands of a skilled therapist. A lymphatic drainage massage promotes a healthy system by stimulating the natural flow of your lymph fluid throughout the body, flushing waste and getting your system back into working order. Ideal for helping your body adjust to a new time zone, as well as perfect for banishing that heavy, tight feeling after a long-haul flight, this relaxing massage is a great way to get your body back on track. With fans such as Gwyneth Paltrow singing its praises, booking in for a lymphatic massage is a great first step for combatting your jet lag.
• 3 Decongest with a calming aromatherapy steam

  There’s something about a hectic travel schedule that can really make you feel a bit grubby. Both inside, and out! If you feel congested or generally just bunged up from all the recycled air and germs associated with airport hopping, the best thing you can do for your post-flight body is to have a good old fashioned steam. Unlike a dry heat sauna that works on your joints and muscles, a steam room allows you to sweat out all the nasty toxins from your skin and respiratory system, helping to unclog and rebalance your breathing. Also great as an add on after your lymphatic drainage massage, a good half an hour in a steam room can work wonders, ridding your body of water retention and leaving you looser, lighter and perfectly relaxed. A great way to help you drift back to normality after a heavy holiday, booking in for a pampering steam session should be up there on your to-do list to help combat that stiff, tired feeling after flying. Bonus points if it’s aromatherapy infused.