Everyone hates air travel unless it’s by private jet. With airline companies charging an arm and a leg just to take a small bag on board, to crunching seats even closer so there’s zero legroom in order to save some cash, flying isn’t the glamorous experience it used to be. Even worse, though, is the way that air travel physically affects your body. Read on to find out how!
What Did You Say? And Actually, I Can’t Taste Anything Either
You’ll probably be shocked to learn that a staggering 1/3 of your taste buds are rendered useless while you’re in the air (insert your own lame joke about airplane food here). In addition to losing your sense of taste, your hearing is also severely compromised. Due to the dryness and air pressure, your sinuses and ears are majorly affected.
Unbutton Your Jeans
The laws of physics apply to all matter in the universe – that includes everything from a bag of peanuts to yes, the human body. What this means is that the same way changes in air pressure and elevation can make a bag of peanuts expand, the same phenomenon occurs in your body. Gas build up in your gut can lead to stomach troubles, major bloating, and, of course, constipation.
So how can you combat the harmful effects of plane travel?
Stay Sober
Though it’s tempting to imbibe on the flight, avoiding alcohol is clearly the way to go. Drinking can affect your body’s natural circadian rhythms, making it harder for you to get some quality shut-eye while you’re on your journey. In addition to that, alcohol is a major cause of dehydration, and you’re already prone to be dehydrated just by flying. It’s better not to compound it. Make sure to drink plenty of water and even sparkling soda to stay hydrated.