How Air Travel Can Affect Your Health (And How To Handle It)
If you’re a frequent traveler, then you have to acknowledge that there are some risks that come with the lifestyle. This is especially true if you spend a lot of your time in airports. While there may not be any major and immediate risks, over time, your flying habits can result in impacts on your health that you would rather avoid. Here, we’re going to explore those most common risks and what you can do about them.
The Germs
If there’s one thing we’ve all become a lot more cognizant of over the past years, it’s just how much crowds of people can become vectors for all kinds of germs and bugs. Airports and airplanes are pretty notorious for this. Touchpoints like tray tables, armrests, and restroom handles are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Bring hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or touching your face.
Circulation
One commonly known health impact of flying is that sitting for long periods of time can affect your circulation. It can cause your blood flow to slow, which can increase the risk of issues like deep vein thrombosis. If you’re on a flight that lasts four hours or longer, stand up to stretch or walk the aisle every hour. Flex your feet, rotate ankles, and avoid crossing your legs while seated, and consider wearing compression socks to improve blood flow in your lower legs.
Hearing Issues
There are a few different factors in air travel that can affect your ears that you should be aware of. Changes in cabin pressure can cause discomfort and blocked ears, especially if you’re already prone to sinus or issue issues. Chewing gum, yawning, or using filtered earplugs can help equalize pressure. However, you should also be mindful of excessive noise in busy airports, especially when you’re close to the planes. Using custom hearing protection can help you ensure that you’re not putting yourself at risk of hearing loss. Repeated exposure is a serious risk, so protect your ears.
Jet Lag
Our circadian rhythm gets confused when we cross time zones and, as such, our bodies can develop jet lag, where we feel tired, cranky, and are less likely to get a good night’s sleep. It’s important to take the time to restore your body after a long trip by gradually adjusting your sleep schedule before departing and giving yourself some downtime after arriving at your hotel or accommodation.
Dehydration
We tend to be so busy making sure we have everything we need as we get on a flight that we don’t take the routine care of ourselves as we should. In particular, we don’t drink enough water. Cabin air is extremely dry, often with humidity levels lower than a desert. This can lead to dehydration, causing fatigue, dry skin, and headaches, so drinking plenty of water before and during the flight can be a lifesaver.
The ability to jet anywhere in the world is a miracle of modern travel, but it does come with its caveats, including the health issues mentioned above. Travel free of fear by following the tips we’ve covered here.
