Nearly 171 million travelers got on a plane in the United States last summer. This may be the season of mandatory relaxing, yet air travel -- with all its attendant stresses -- can be anything but. And once you reach your destination, your journey to vacation bliss could be held up by stomach bugs and jet lag.

To get you flying the friendly skies as calmly and easily as George Clooney in "Up in the Air," we interviewed several experts about what they recommend -- from supplements to relaxation techniques -- for a more peaceful, healthful journey.

Our Experts
Roberta Lee, M.D., vice chair, Department of Integrative Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center
Alison Sinatra, senior yoga teacher at Kula Yoga Project in New York City
Katherine Tallmadge, registered dietitian in Washington, D.C., and author of "Diet Simple"

Probiotics boost good bacteria in the gut. If you're worried about stomach problems, "take them every day while you're on the road," Lee says. Immunity boosters may help fend off illnesses created by travel stress. She recommends the mushroom-based supplement Host Defense.

If you're stressing out in the airport, Lee says, try this: Put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Breathe deeply. Notice how when you take a breath in, your belly goes out; when you let a breath out, your belly goes in. Repeat four to five times. "The body can't feel both calm and anxious at the same time," she says.

Stay hydrated in the dry cabin with water, and pack fruit. "It's watery," Tallmadge says, "so it helps beat dehydration. And it's not salty, so it won't add to bloating. Pineapple and oranges are best." 

Bach Rescue Remedy -- the famous flower-essence drops -- is great for keeping travelers calm, agree Lee and Sinatra.

Sinatra suggests uncramping with yoga. Try these simple poses: Sit cross-legged in your seat; raise your arms above your head, with thumbs hooked together; clasp your hands behind your back in prayer form. On a long flight, make sure to walk the aisle every hour or so, Lee says, to prevent blood clots.

If you change time zones, Lee says, you can reset your body clock by taking 1 to 3 milligrams of melatonin -- a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle -- 30 minutes before bedtime. When you wake up, look at the sun for 10 minutes. This will send a message to the part of the brain that coordinates the body's rhythms through changes in lighting detected by the eyes.

Get a massage if you can, Lee says, soon after landing. Or, once you've checked in to your room, take a bath with lavender oil to settle any frayed nerves. If you need to, stay alert by going for a walk or applying grapefruit or peppermint essential oils. Working out shortly after arrival is another a good way to manage reentry, Tallmadge says.

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