Six Pre-Flight Stretches That Help Prevent Blood Clots On Long Flights

Sitting for long stretches, like on a cross-country or international flight, raises the risk of deep vein thrombosis. This piece lists a six-stretch pre-flight routine meant to lower that risk, sourced from a Travel + Leisure video with a fitness expert and a medical editor from Health Magazine.

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• Downdog calf stretch: downward dog position, alternating heel presses to the ground.
• Inchworm: from standing, hands to the ground, walk forward into plank, drop the hips, then inch back to start.
• Figure four stretch: one leg crossed over the other’s knee, sitting as low as possible, then switch legs.
• Toe raises: rise onto the balls of the feet from a flat stance, hold, and lower.
• Hamstring reach and sweep: one leg extended forward, the other bent, reaching toward the floor, then switch.
• Half kneel hip stretch: one knee down in a lunge position, extending the back leg until the stretch is felt.
• Beyond the stretches, the piece adds staying hydrated, keeping feet flat while seated, and walking every one to two hours.