Headache. Tiredness. Feeling out of shape. Don’t just think about the jet lag and intercontinental flights with annex time zone change when you get on a plane. Because even if you are among those who are certainly not afraid of flying, which obviously puts you at greater risk of psychological side effects, the risk that the travel by plane has an impact on the body, perhaps making us feel tired upon arrival even if we have remained comfortably seated, it exists.
The reason? Maybe when you are flying you can constantly create a condition of light stress, which can however be compensated for as required.
What happens to the mind and body
One of the elements that most influences the possible psychological discomfort (with associated small physical disorders) that one can have after a trans-flight is certainly related to the environment. For those who are sensitive, especially if the journey is long, the presence of oxygen in the air we breathe can also have an impact, sometimes it can be imperceptibly reduced, as can the quality of the air ensured by recirculation.
Let’s not forget, however, that the main factor that contributes to the predisposition to feeling tired is the motivation for the trip. If we go on board for a business meeting that is essential for the company or for the profession, potentially the disturbances that may arise will tend to be perceived more than when we leave for a holiday. When the trip is a sort of “obligation” related to work with a goal to reach once you reach the destination, perhaps in the form of a contract that must be signed, and it is experienced as such, the risk of having some small problems increases. And obviously the environmental conditions we have talked about have an impact, starting from the airport where you already breathe “treated” air and perhaps you remain for hours waiting on not very comfortable chairs.
Chapter oxygen. Normally, those who are well do not have any problems of any kind. But in certain subjects, if hypoxemia (therefore the drop in oxygen) persists, it could favor the appearance of headache because it leads to vasoconstriction, therefore to narrowing of the vessels. Furthermore, due to the varying environmental pressure, it can favour, for those who are inclined, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.
Again: in general the air is drier. This element, in addition to stimulating minor discomforts such as dry eyes, contributes to creating a condition of “discomfort” that can have repercussions on physical performance.
One last recommendation. The pressure variations inside the aircraft, especially at the moment of take-off and landing, can play some nasty tricks even on those who are the victims of a sinusitis or is often subject to ear problems. And perhaps they can bother those who tend to accumulate air in the digestive tract, due to aerophagia or meteorism. During the landing phase – this is the moment of maximum risk – it can in fact happen that the sudden change in environmental pressure can somehow “increase” the presence of gas in body cavities such as sinuses (those cavities that are located inside the skull and can become inflamed in case of sinusitis) or intestines.
What countermeasures?
Given that today’s aircraft are equipped with many effective devices for the well-being of travellers, it is always useful to remember some general indications.
In order not to get tired, first of all, we need to move. Walks in the corridor help, along with a deep breathing Tao or yoga stylewhich has an important relaxing function, to reduce risks.
And a lot of attention must also be paid to what you eat and drinkbecause lunch on the plane can represent a further cause of stress, with a mass recall of blood to the stomach. It is necessary to be careful with the choices, always considering that in general the meal on the plane is small in size. For digestion it is necessary to check the quantity of fatsmaking sure to also have available fibers.
Alcohol consumption should be avoidedwhich increases dehydration, the feeling of discomfort increases as well as the possible risks of digestive problems, headaches and tiredness upon arrival.
As for the drugsyou should always get precise instructions from your doctor. Just think about the use of low doses of acetylsalicylic acid for those at risk of deep vein thrombosis, in order to reduce the viscosity of the blood that is linked to prolonged sitting and could affect circulation.
For the rest, let’s fasten our seatbelts and go.
