Sitting in tight quarters for hours and hours can affect blood flow throughout your body, leading to swelling in your feet and ankles. It’s also well-established that the risk of a blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases when blood isn’t circulating well, as happens during plane travel. “In that position, the veins in our legs are compressed and the blood flow through them is slowed down,” Dr. Alves says. Although you often hear the advice to get up and walk around, Dr. Alves says that that can cause traffic jams if too many people do it at once, and can be dangerous in the case of unexpected turbulence. “Average travelers without any risk factors would benefit from simple movements of the ankle—rotation, flexion, extension—which can be done in their own seat as frequently as possible,” he says. Risk factors for DVT include being obese, pregnant or postpartum, on birth control pills, over age 40, or having a serious medical illness.
