Ask the crew: how to stay well while travelling

Travelling is undoubtedly chicken soup for the soul, but sometimes things like jetlag and long-haul flights can play havoc with your wellbeing. We’ve spoken to several of our cabin crew members about their self-care routines and how to stay healthy while traveling, as well as some of their wellness travel tips for those heading out on their next big adventure.  

Kinson Wong, Cabin Crew and Senior Purser

Workout of choice: swimming 

When I was a kid, I asked my mum if I could join swimming classes. Once I learned, I felt freedom whenever I jumped into the water. When I’m swimming, I feel at peace with the world because there’s no sound other than the water. I focus on my breathing and it’s really a moment when I can take out all my worries and difficulties and just anchor my mind. It’s the best moment for you to get rid of all your stress. 

Swimming is my choice because it’s more relaxed and doesn’t require a ton of muscle strength, but you are still exercising your whole body. I swim four to five times a week in the summer, then in the winter I’ll go once or twice a week as it can get too cold. 

I always go swimming after work before dinner. Sometimes I struggle with the cold temperature, but once you keep swimming, you’ll be fine. 

Tips for travellers  

Most hotels normally have a swimming pool, and usually without as many people as a public pool, so you can occupy the whole space. When I feel tired and am fighting jetlag – especially if I’m in the US with the time zones – the first thing I do when I wake up is swim, as it makes you forget about all your tiredness.

Ambrose Chan, Cabin Crew and Service Excellence Lead Representative

Workout of choice: boxing 

I’d say I’m a football lover, but I haven't played football for the last couple of years. Throughout that time, I wanted to maintain a high level of wellbeing, so one day my girlfriend’s cousin asked, “Ambrose, why don’t you join my boxing session?” 

Boxing was not as easy as I originally thought it would be – you first need a very good level of physical fitness. During Covid, I’ll be honest that I gained a lot of weight, so when I started boxing and we trained by running around in an indoor gym, I felt exhausted. It took me almost half a year to catch up.  

I was always conscious of how important it is to have a positive mindset. I wanted to quit boxing when I first started, but then quickly realised how it taught me self-discipline, helped me develop endurance and reduce stress. Two years later, I still feel superb with every punch and uppercut I throw. 

Tips for travellers  

There was one time I was in quarantine at a hotel and my girlfriend was at a boxing session, so I asked her if she could livestream the class. Things have changed rapidly – who could have imagined we can follow fitness routines on YouTube or social media? For frequent travellers, I’d definitely recommend [following an on-demand fitness service] to help with wellbeing management.  

Jon Lam, Cabin Crew 

Workout of choice: badminton 

For me, badminton was my teenage sport. I got into it during high school when my school was trying to assemble a team. There was a court where I lived and I joined the club there where I could play every weekend. 

I kind of have a love/hate relationship with it. Sometimes you get so sick of it, because you play too much, or sometimes not at all when life gets busy. That's what it's like in life. Unless you're a professional athlete, work and other things can sometimes get in the way. So now I'm just getting back into it again because I've met a group of fun, healthy colleagues who also enjoy playing badminton. I must say I didn't realise how much I missed it until now that I'm reacquainted with it again.  

I'm surprised at how popular badminton is, because the Cathay City courts are always fully booked. We've been talking about holding competitions with the other teams who are always booking in for the same courts.  

Tips for travellers  

If I’ve been away and back home again, what helps me get my body clock back in sync is controlling my exposure to the outdoors and sunlight – aside from timing my caffeine and alcohol intake, which does also help. I’ve found that if I'm really tired, I'll just open my curtains or take a walk [in the sun] – those things really help wake me up. It helps being outdoors so you stay awake for a little longer – soon you’ll be able to get back into your routine.  

Carson Liu, Flight Purser  

I was a flight attendant, but my life’s changed now – I do half office work, half flying, so my life is more balanced. With this new routine, I eventually found the opportunity to raise a dog. I adopted a mixed breed dog called Bagel, who’s very easy, and then afterwards I wanted to raise another. Pugs are my favourite breed and eventually I found my second dog Doughnut. 

Before, my life was always about travelling to different places – kind of like a retirement mindset. But now after I’ve finished a tiring flight, I come home and see my dogs, and it’s like meeting a therapist or a doctor. They spin around excitedly as they welcome you home.  

I go to the gym because of my dogs, otherwise I have no energy to keep up with them. I wake up at 6am to walk them and since I’m up so early, I head to the gym afterwards and have breakfast. Behind my home, there’s a walking trail and I go hiking with them for an hour. Now that I’m more disciplined, even my skin has gotten better.  

Tips for travellers  

I think you need to know where your home is, especially if you’re travelling frequently. Yesterday, I had an overnight flight to Singapore and I turned on my dog camera to see what my dogs were doing. If you know where your heart is, you can find balance in your life. 

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