BY LIZ FLEMING
Heading off on a long air journey but don't have the budget for
a first-class seat? You could learn a whole new meaning for
"red-eye" unless you take the time to prepare for in-flight
sleeping,
Start the week before your flight and tidy up all the loose
ends you can at home. There's nothing worse than sitting on an
airplane, fretting about something you forgot to do back at the
ranch. If you've left things well in hand, you can relax.
Make sure to maximize the space you have by jumping right up as
soon as you hear the boarding call. Getting on board ahead of
the crowd will give you the best chance of getting your
carry-on bags into the overhead compartments.  Those who
dally end up shoving their bags under the seat ahead and have
nowhere to put their feet.  Simply being able to stretch
out is a huge help in the sleep department.
Be sure to dress for in-flight comfort. Yoga pants are a great
idea, ladies, since they look less like "gym-wear" than sweats
but still feature elastic waist-bands and stretchy fabric. Wear
layers to allow you to add or subtract pieces if the
temperature in the cabin changes mid-flight, and toss a pair of
socks into your carry-on luggage so you can slip off your shoes
but keep your feet toasty warm. It's next to impossible to fall
asleep with cold feet.
Bring your own travel pillow and blanket. Even if you get a
couple from the limited supply available in economy class, you
probably don't want them. There's no time to launder the
communal covers between flights. Yuck! Need I say more?
Noise-cancelling headphones are a great solution for cabin
noise and chatty neighbours, and sleep masks can help to block
out the light if your seatmate wants to read far into the
night.
If sleep is of primary importance, ask the flight attendant not
to wake you for meals. Many airlines actually have stickers
that you can put on your blanket that indicate your desire to
be left alone.  Whether or not you choose to be wakened
for meals, however, it is important to drink lots of water
before you go to sleep and when you wake.  Flying is
dehydrating and you need to replace lost fluids.  Avoid
both alcohol and caffeine, as both will only contribute to the
dehydration problem.
And what about sleeping medications?  Are they a wise idea
for the sleep-desperate traveler or not?  Much depends on
the product you choose, your reaction to it and the length of
your flight.
Talk to your doctor and get some advice on the best solution
for you and your particular needs. If you do decide to try a
sleep aid, don't wait for your flight to try it for the first
time. Many friends had recommended a particular
over-the-counter sleep-aid, guaranteed to produce no nasty
after-effects. I tried it out one weekend when I had very
little planned. A wise decision, it turned out, as the
after-effects were horrid. I felt as if I'd been hit by a truck
for the entire next day. Had I taken it first on the plane and
then tried to function at my destination, I'd have been in very
rough shape indeed.
Perhaps the best advice for the would-be sleeper is to make
your desires clear to your seatmate. Saying "I'm so tired, I
can hardly wait to get settled in and go to sleep," is the best
way to stave off unwanted chatter and give you the best
possible shot at a good flight's sleep.
Feeling healthy during getaways
(NC)-Remember that to get the most out of winter getaways,
you have to look and feel healthy.  Dr. Brian Aw, a
Canadian travel health expert, recommends that travellers take
the following preventative measures:
- At least four-to-six weeks before travelling, get the
recommended vaccinations to help protect against travellers'
diarrhea, Hepatitis A and typhoid fever. 
- Avoid eating foods from street vendors, unpasteurized dairy
products, and raw or uncooked food, especially seafood. Drink
only commercially prepared bottled water and carbonated
beverages, avoid ice and use bottled water for brushing your
teeth. 
- Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20
seconds before eating or drinking.
