A couple of years ago I was chatting to a doctor while researching an article on the effects of jet lag, when he cheerfully informed me that my travel habits could well be shaving a few years off my life. I had recently returned from three back-to-back trips through the US, Indonesia and Finland – zipping through several time zones in a couple of weeks – and this doctor pointed to the growing body of research that shows the negative effects of disrupting your circadian rhythm. At the time I brushed it off – after all, my unpredictable sleep routine was nothing compared to the doctors, nurses and other shift workers who manage challenging hours – but every now and then when I’m wide awake at 3am or my eyelids are drooping mid-afternoon following a trip, I think back to this conversation.
Sign up to the free Travel Insider newsletter here
With this playing on my mind, I checked in with Miles Levy, consultant endocrinologist and professor of endocrinology at University Hospitals of Leicester, to see whether my lifestyle really was as deadly as I feared. He told me to stop worrying as, while changing your sleep routine can make you feel rubbish, our bodies are very resilient.
Although reassured, I had started to think about exactly what else I may be doing to my body when taking long-haul trips. A dentist once told me that an X-ray he was about to perform on a wisdom tooth emitted about as much radiation as a flight from New York to LA. I was alarmed. Not because of the impending X-ray, but rather that I travelled thousands of miles by air rather frequently and hadn’t considered that I was exposing myself to extra radiation. But Miles says this is nothing to worry about. “Radiation is not really a risk and is still only a minor consideration in very frequent flyers,” he added.
The one health risk that travellers ought to be aware of – although not worry unduly – is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Miles explained: “The best thing to do on a long haul flight is to avoid being dehydrated and drink plenty of water. This will also make it less likely to have a DVT – in any flight more than four hours it’s a good idea to walk in the aisle and do calf exercises.” He added: “People at high risk for DVT should wear compression stockings and talk to their GP.” While I had Miles’ attention, I also questioned whether plane cabins are hotbeds for germs, leaving us at higher risk of getting sick after a flight. “I always seem to get sore throats when I’ve been on a plane,” Miles agreed. “Probably being stuck in a metal box with loads of random people including kids and babies and with the air ventilation system is a perfect melting pot for viral infections.”
“Might be why everyone got Covid in March 2020 coming back from ski holidays,” he mused. I’m in agreement there. My own bout of Covid occurred after a flight from New York to the UK, once travel restrictions had been lifted (but clearly the virus was still rife).
This may sound like a litany of potential health problems, but my conversation with Miles made me feel better. Ultimately, spending several hours on a plane a few times a year (as most people who travel for business and holidays do) does not put us at a significantly higher risk of health problems. I would also add that, for me, like many others, the mental health benefits of exploring the world and understanding other cultures, almost certainly outweighs any negatives. So, my advice? Drink plenty of water – but keep travelling.
Get the Travel Insider newsletter
Travel Insider is The Independent’s twice-weekly travel newsletter, packed with insight, inspiration and trusted advice to help you explore better.
It is your guide to planning smarter journeys: from finding the best low-impact ways to get around to choosing destinations that benefit local communities.
Each Friday and Sunday, you’ll receive a curated digest of the biggest developments in travel, along with unbeatable deals, destination ideas, and expert tips on where, when and how to go.
To sign up, simply enter your email address in the box at the top of this article.
You can also head to our newsletter preference centre to sign up for the email.
