| How to Change Planes for a Connecting Flight Posted: 28 Mar 2017 05:00 PM PDT Airports are notorious labyrinths that many travelers are keen to avoid. Choose a connection with plenty of time so you won't have to make an Olympic sprint through the maze. If you've already booked a tight connection, learn how to make the transfer as smooth as possible. EditPlanning in Advance - Check your itinerary. Your booking information usually doesn't say whether you change planes at each stop. Look for the following information to track your journey:[1][2]
- A direct flight will list the same flight number for each leg of your journey. Traditionally this means a single plane, but many "direct" flights now require you to change planes. Check with the airline to confirm.
- A connecting flight uses different flight numbers for each leg. You will have to change planes.
- Find an airport map. Most airport websites have a printable map. Stash this in your carry on luggage to save yourself time looking for your gate. In-flight magazines usually have some airport maps printed near the back, but these may only include the largest hubs.
- If there's a separate map for each terminal, print every one. You may need to change terminals.
- Estimate the connection time. You can sometimes find this information on the airport website or from your travel agent (if you have one).[3] If official numbers aren't available, get a rough estimate:[4][5]
- When transferring from a domestic to domestic flight, allow 60 minutes. A 45 minute layover is risky, but doable if the first flight is short and the two flights are run by the same airline.
- Allow at least 2 hours if landing in another country, or if transferring from a domestic flight to an international one. A layover shorter than 90 minutes is very risky.
- Add 30 minutes if you have gate-checked items (strollers) or limited mobility, if you are traveling at peak travel times, or if your layover airport has stormy or wintry weather.
- Plan around short connections. If your connection is shorter than the recommended amount, take steps to make it run smoothly. You can rebook your flight for a fee, or take these less drastic measures:
- Choose an aisle seat as close to the front of the plane as possible, so you can disembark first.
- Strongly consider bringing carry-on luggage only, so you don't have to pick up checked baggage. (Domestic/International transfers only.)
- Download a smartphone app to track flight delays while you're in the air.
- Confirm your checked luggage logistics. For domestic flights, your checked luggage is almost always sent to your final destination. On some international flights, especially flights that land in the United States or Canada, you'll need to pick up your luggage and check it in again.[6] Just to make sure, ask the airport staff checking your luggage for details.
- If you made separate purchases for the two flights, you'll usually have to pick up your luggage during the connection.[7]
- Many European countries are in the "Schengen zone." Flights between two countries in the Schengen zone do not require you to go through customs, and usually don't require you to pick up luggage. You'll still have to go through security.[8]
- Check visa requirements. If you are passing through a foreign country en route to a different destination you might still need a "transit visa." Look up a nearby embassy for the second country, and check their website for information.
- If you are passing through the US, check this website for more information. If your country appears on the Visa Waiver Program list, you do not need a visa.
- Order wheelchair assistance if necessary. If you or a traveling companion has limited mobility, consider asking for a wheelchair at your connection. Contact the airline you purchased your ticket from to arrange this.
- If you've forgotten to do this in advance, ask a flight attendant on your first flight as soon as you can. If you wait too long, the wheelchair may not be ready for you on arrival.
- In some countries, it's polite to tip the porter pushing the wheelchair. A suggested amount is US$10 in US airports, or £2 in the UK.[9]
EditPreparing to Disembark - Listen for announcements during your flight. The pilot or flight attendants will sometimes announce gate changes near the end of the flight, or while you are taxiing to the gate.
- Collect your carry on items. If your connection is tight, gather your carry-on items before the seat belt sign goes on for the descent.
- Gather your documents. Get out your boarding pass for the next flight, plus your passport and customs form if traveling internationally. Stash these in a secure but easily accessible location, such as a purse or inside coat pocket.
- Ask to move closer to the front. If your flight is delayed and it looks like you might not make a connection, ask the flight attendant to help you switch seats for the last few minutes before descent.[10] Moving from the back to the front of the plane can save you 10–15 minutes.
- You can also ask your fellow passengers directly, but remember you're asking for a favor. Be polite, and do not try this when you have plenty of connection time.
- The descent can begin 30 minutes before landing. Don't wait until the last minute to ask, or you'll get stuck where you are.
EditCatching the Next Flight - Find your gate number. The first thing to do after getting off the plane is to find your next gate number. Do not assume the gate number on your boarding pass is correct, as flights often change gates. Instead, find a television monitor labeled Departures. Find the flight number listed on your boarding pass, and write down the gate number.
- If you're in a rush, ask the flight attendants standing at the gate as soon as you disembark. They can often tell you the gate number and exact directions.
- Pick up your luggage if necessary. You usually do not need to pick up your checked luggage unless you have just made an international flight, or if you purchased the two tickets separately. If you're certain you need to pick it up, do so as fast as possible. The baggage claim is often on the other side of security, so it can take a long time to pick it up and get back in.
- After picking up your luggage, check it in again at the ticket counter for the airline operating the next leg of your flight.
- Go through customs and security if necessary. If you just completed an international flight, follow the signs to customs. The customs area is usually divided into two lines, one for citizens and one for non-citizens. Stand in the line that matches your passport. You may also need to go through a security screening, depending on the airport.
- If there is a long line and you're running out of time, politely ask an airport employee whether you can go through a priority line so you can catch your flight. They will not always say yes, but it's worth a try.[11]
- Stay calm and cooperative, even if the official puts you through additional screening. Rude responses or pleading will usually just slow down the process.
- Find your gate. Even if you have plenty of time, walk to your gate right away. Don't be afraid to ask directions from an information desk, or from any airport staff.
- If you are transferring from an international to a domestic flight or vice versa, you will probably change terminals. If this involves a shuttle ride, it might take as long as 10–20 minutes.
- Relax. If you have time to spare, you do not need to stay at your gate the whole time. Most airports have restaurants, shops, and art exhibits. Just make sure you keep track of the time and keep track of how to get back to your gate.
- Keep your luggage with you at all times.
- Return to your gate with plenty of time. The exact boarding time is usually listed on your boarding pass. If it is not, get to your gate 30 minutes before the listed departure time.
- Contact the airline if you miss your flight. If you miss your connection, immediately phone the airline. The airline contact info is usually on your boarding pass, but for faster results contact its local representative at your current airport.[12] You can find this number on the airport website, or by asking at an information desk.
- If you do not have phone service, ask for a courtesy phone at the information desk. If you cannot find a phone, visit the ticket counter for the airline you arrived on instead.
- Arrange a plan with your airline. If you missed your flight because of the airline's fault, such as a delayed flight or an unreasonably short connection time, it is the airline's responsibility to get you to your destination. This is not true if you booked your two flights separately, or if you missed the flight due to your own mistakes — but most airlines are willing to compromise a little.[13] Do not hesitate to ask for the following, calmly and politely:
- Free standby on the next flight. Many airlines will grant this for any reason, if you ask no more than 2 hours after your scheduled departure. Standby passengers only get on the flight if there is an empty seat, or if someone agrees to give up theirs.
- If your travel is urgent, ask the airline how likely it is that you'll get on with standby. If chances are low, ask for a reduced price guaranteed ticket on the next flight. (Not always available.)
- Voucher for food and a hotel room, if you are forced to wait overnight. (Unlikely if the airline was not at fault.)
- Free phone call to a contact at your destination, if you don't have a phone.
- If you are flying between two United States airports, look up the average flight delay between them on the Bureau of Transportation Statistics website. Add the "average arrival delay" to your recommended connection time.
- "Direct" flights usually require you to change planes if a single leg of the journey has more than one flight number, or takes you to another continent. On a short direct flight, you may be able to stay on the plane while it's stopped in the airport.
- If you are traveling across an international border, the flight attendants will give you a customs form in flight. Fill out this form before you land to save time.
- If you have too much time and are getting bored, ask the ticketing counter whether you can be placed on standby for an earlier flight. This is usually only possible if you have several hours to wait.
- Many airlines have elite clubs or more expensive tickets that let you speed up the connection. For instance, you might disembark first or have a chance to go through the priority security line. This may be worth it if you make a lot of flights with two or more stops.
- Allow extra time when arriving at the following US airports, which have unusually bad on-time arrival percentages: ORD, SFO, EWR, LGA, and FLL.[14]
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| How to Treat a Mild Concussion Posted: 28 Mar 2017 09:00 AM PDT A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). It can be caused by a bump, a hit, a fall, or any type of head injury that pushes the head and brain back and forth rapidly. In a concussion, the brain is shaken back and forth within the skull.[1] Most concussions are mild in the sense that a person most likely will recover completely, but the symptoms can be very difficult to notice, can develop slowly, and can last for days or weeks. If you have been hit in the head, you should see a physician within one to two days at the most to be evaluated, even if you don't think it is serious. After seeing a doctor, there are ways you can treat a mild concussion at home. EditTreating a Mild Concussion Immediately - Call emergency services. If someone has a head injury, you should call 911 and have him checked out by medical professionals. Even minor concussions should be checked out by a doctor.[2] If you choose not to call emergency services after a minor head wound, you still need to watch for severe symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately:
- Vomiting
- Having pupils of unequal size
- Being dizzy, confused, or agitated
- Being unconscious
- Seeming drowsy
- Having neck pain
- Having slurred or difficult speech
- Having trouble walking
- Having seizures
- Check the person over. After a head injury, check the person. Look for loss of consciousness first. Then, check his mental awareness. Don't move him unless it's absolutely necessary.
- To check for mental awareness, ask the person his name, what day it is, how many fingers you're holding up, and if he remembers what just happened.
- If he is unconscious, check his airways, breathing, and circulation to make sure he's breathing, and immediately call emergency services.
- Make the person rest. After someone suffers a blow to the head, he needs to rest. If the head wound isn't major, the person can sit up. Make sure he is in a comfortable position. Cover him with a blanket if one is available.[3]
- If the head wound is severe, or you believe the person has neck or back damage, don't move him unless necessary.[4]
- Apply ice. If the injury is not bleeding, apply ice to any swollen areas. Make sure not to put ice directly on the skin. Instead, place a cloth between the ice and the swollen area.[5]
- You can use a bag of frozen vegetables if you don't have an ice pack or ice available.
- Apply pressure. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure to it to stop the bleeding. Use a towel, article of clothing, or other piece of cloth to staunch the bleeding. If at all possible, make sure the cloth is clean, but if you don't have access clean cloth, use the cleanest piece of cloth you can find. Don't press too hard; you want to stop the bleeding, but not cause any additional pain. Gently press the cloth to the wound.[6]
- If at all possible, keep your hands away from the wound. Only touch the wound with the towel to avoid transferring bacteria into the wound.
- If you believe there is a serious injury, don't move the person's head or remove the debris from the head. Wait for emergency services to arrive.
- Be prepared to administer first aid if necessary. If the person loses consciousness while you wait for help, you will need to monitor his breathing and pulse. Watch for obvious signs of breathing (such as the rise and fall of his chest) or see if you can feel his breath on your skin by placing your hand near his nose and mouth. Check his pulse by placing your index and middle fingers against the groove in the neck, just beneath the jaw and to the right or left of the voice box or Adam's apple.
- If the person throws up, carefully turn him on his side, making sure his head and neck do not twist. Clear his mouth of debris so he does not choke on his vomit.
- If at any time the person stops breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR. Continue until emergency personnel arrive.
EditTreating a Mild Concussion at Home - Rest. Treating a mild concussion requires both physical and mental rest. That is the single most important thing a person can do to recover as quickly as possible.[7]
- Physical rest means refraining from physical activity and exertion. A person should not get involved in any sports or any vigorous activity until his symptoms are gone or his physician clears him.
- Mental rest means not engaging in thinking, reading, using the computer, watching TV, texting, schoolwork, or any activities that require concentration. Do not drive or operate machinery or tools.
- Get plenty of sleep. In addition to resting while awake, a person with a concussion needs to get plenty of sleep at night. This is just as important as resting.[8] Try to get at least seven to nine hours each night.
- Avoid mind-altering substances. When someone has a concussion, he should avoid mind-altering substances. Do not drink alcohol, and do not take any recreational drugs.[9]
- Take pain reliever. If a person has headaches, he can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain.[10]
- Avoid ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), aspirin, and Naproxen (Aleve). These pain relievers can increase internal bleeding.[11]
- Use an ice pack. If someone has a bump or a bruise that hurts, use an ice pack. Don't place the ice pack directly on the person's skin. Wrap it in a towel, and hold it on the bump or bruise for 10 to 30 minutes. Repeat every two to four hours for the first 48 hours.[12]
- If an ice pack is not available, a bag of frozen vegetables can be used.
- Ice packs can help with the inner headache as well.
- Stay with someone for 48 hours. When someone has a concussion, he should not be alone for 48 hours after the injury. Someone needs to stay with him in case he starts exhibiting serious symptoms.[13]
EditMonitoring Serious Symptoms - Recognize the symptoms of a concussion. After someone hits his head, he or someone close to him needs to monitor for symptoms. He needs to know if he has a concussion. The most common symptoms of a concussion include:[14][15]
- Headache or a sense of pressure in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- A sense of feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
- Confusion, or concentration or memory problems like amnesia of the event
- General sense of not feeling right
- Seeming dazed, stunned, confused, forgetful, and moving clumsily
- Loss of consciousness
- Slow to answer questions
- Mood, personality, or behavior changes
- Monitor for delayed symptoms. Some concussions symptoms can be delayed. Symptoms can occur minutes, hours, or even days after the injury. A person should continue to watch for symptoms for a few days after the concussion.[16] These include:
- Concentration or memory problems
- Irritability and other personality changes
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Sleep disturbances, such as not being able to go to sleep, difficulty staying asleep, or not being able to wake up
- Psychological adjustment problems and depression
- Disorders of taste and smell
- Watch for symptoms in children. In young children, it can be difficult to detect a concussion. In children, symptoms of a concussion include:[17]
- A dazed or confused appearance
- Listlessness
- Easily tired
- Irritability
- Loss of balance and unsteady walking
- Excessive crying with nothing working to soothe the child
- Any change in eating or sleeping patterns
- A sudden lack of interest in favorite toys
- Monitor for red flags. Some symptoms that occur after a concussion are red flags. Red flags are signs that someone should get immediate medical attention. These red flags include:[18]
- Repeated vomiting
- Any loss of consciousness that lasts longer than 30 seconds
- A worsening headache
- Sudden changes in behavior, the ability to walk, like sudden stumbling, falling or dropping objects, or thinking ability
- Confusion or disorientation, like not recognizing people or surroundings
- Slurred speech or other changes in speech
- Seizures or uncontrolled tremors
- Vision or eye disturbances, like pupils of unequal sizes or very large, dilated pupils
- Dizziness that doesn't get any better
- Any symptoms that get worse
- Large bumps or bruises on the head (other than the forehead) in children, especially in infants under 12 months of age
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| How to Relieve Stress by Drawing Posted: 28 Mar 2017 01:00 AM PDT One of the easiest and most satisfying ways to express your creativity is by drawing. Further, drawing can calm you down in multiple ways. It can help distract you from negative thoughts, clear your mind, and provide you with a constructive way to release emotion.[1] Most simply, the enjoyment derived from drawing allows the chance to refocus mentally and relieve your stress.[2] EditRelieving Stress With Illustration - Draw something that comforts you. Content does not matter as much as the connotations you associate with whatever you choose to draw. If you find mountains or trees relaxing to be around, try your hand at drawing your very own. Other likely candidates include:
- Your pet. Or your imaginary pet.
- Flowers, leaves, or bumblebees.
- Fruit, or other particularly attractive edibles.
- A building or place you admire or have positive memories in.
- Made-up combinations of animal parts. For instance, draw a dog's head on a pig's body with a turtle's legs and tail.
- Just draw. Experiment drawing with different colors, patterns, and moods. Believe it or not, drawing can help induce physical relaxation by decreasing your blood pressure, slowing your respiratory rate, and lowering your pulse.[3]
- Color your illustration with bright, exciting colors.
- Draw patterns. Start with variations of circles, as they're easier and more soothing to draw. Simply cover a page in a pattern. Losing yourself to abstraction can be a very effective method of providing yourself with a healthy distraction and can boost creativity and memory too![4]
- Draw your subjects smiling. Whether mountain, human, or animal, add a smiley face. Sure, it's silly – but you'll probably smile back.
- Be somewhere where you feel calm. Choose somewhere with minimal distractions. Definitely switch off your phone, and avoid areas with television or computers.
- Somewhere private is best, as your drawing will not be inhibited by the presence of others, and you will be less likely to be interrupted.
- Get outside. Simply being outside will calm you down. Drawing outside can also give you inspiration and ideas of things to draw.
- Have fun. Let yourself enjoy the process. Don't worry about the final product and don't judge your artistic abilities. Lose yourself in the experience of creation![5]
- Sitting down to draw for just a few minutes can rekindle your youthful spirit. You'll get a boost in energy and may even feel more open-minded for the rest of the day. Expressing ourselves visually allows us to circumvent some of the barriers we put up as we age, and to access our less critical, less judgmental side more easily.[6]
- Mount your work. Hang it up somewhere it will catch your eye. Put it in your room or near a doorway you use to leave your house for unexpected boosts in your mood.
EditDrawing You Stressors Away - Draw whatever is stressing you out. Be detailed and don't hold back. Draw literal or metaphorical representations of scenarios that indicate the sources of your stress. Creating a visual equivalent of what you're facing is a powerful way to affect your feelings, and even help conceptualize solutions.[7]
- Destroy the representation of your stress. Scribble all over it, or tear the page into tiny pieces. Use your hands to make the act of destruction especially satisfying.
- Throw it all away! Just the act of metaphorically throwing your stressors away can be powerfully therapeutic.
- Release emotion onto the page. Without intending to draw anything in particular, simply apply your drawing utensil to a blank sheet of paper. Close your eyes. Focus on whatever emotions you're feeling and would like to get rid of.[8]
- Once you're focused on an emotion, allow it to pass through your arm and hand onto the sheet of paper. Allow your emotion, not your mind, to dictate the movement of the pen or pencil. Whatever comes out on the page is simply an expression of what you're feeling.
- Since visual art is nonverbal, you don't have to struggle to try to express yourself with words. Evoking feelings through creative expression can literally help you release emotions you're holding in.[9]
- Recognize that the illustration itself is insignificant. Focus purely on the act of drawing. By doing this, you'll be more mindful of the present moment. This allows your mind to clear itself and calmly begin to recalibrate your emotions.[10]
- Keep an illustrated journal. You can conceptualize the journal in a certain way, or as a catch-all for your drawings. You may want to focus on drawing everything you feel positively about in life. Alternatively, you may simply want to draw everything that frustrates you. Or you can simply attempt to draw things that you find aesthetically pleasing. [11]
- Keep a specific version of an illustrated journal in which you draw about feelings or ideas that come to you in specific contexts. For instance, keep a dream diary by your bed and attempt to draw what your imagination conjures in your dreams.
EditMaximizing Illustration-Based Stress Reduction - Listen to music while you draw. Music can powerfully affect your mood by relaxing and inspiring you. Consider your music selection. Soft, rhythmic music (ideally without lyrics) will be especially effective in putting your mind at ease.
- Vary the music depending on your mood – faster music can energize you as long as it doesn't distract you or make you uncomfortable.
- Play songs you know well. Lyrics can be welcome if you already know them. Singing along or mouthing the words without thinking can have a calming effect that distracts you from whatever has been stressing you out.
- Take a drawing class. You don't need to achieve a certain level of ability to benefit from the mood-improving and calming aspects of drawing, but getting better can make drawing even more rewarding.[12]
- Community colleges often have low cost classes taught by well-qualified teachers, and classes often meet in the evenings.
- Lots of communities also have arts councils that will also offer fun-oriented, open-enrollment classes in drawing and other creative mediums.
- Keep your drawing materials with you. Keep at least a note pad and pen or pencil with you so you can draw whenever inspiration (or stress) strikes. As you go about your day, jot down ideas of what you'd like to draw later on. Simply visualizing yourself drawing will both calm you down and increase the satisfaction you derive once you get the chance to do so!
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