Gaby
Just 14 hours on a plane, and you’ve arrived at your destination. After finally retrieving your luggage and stepping out of the airport, you’re just one step away from relaxation. But what has that flight done to your body?
Feeling Dry
It’s no surprise that after a long flight, you feel like a raisin due to dehydration. This happens because the humidity inside an airplane is extremely low, leading to excessive dryness in your skin, lips, nose, and eyes.
While it’s uncomfortable, there’s no need to panic. The low humidity in the cabin won’t cause severe dehydration. According to experts, the amount of fluid loss during an 8-hour flight is only about 150 milliliters.
You can also become dehydrated if you’re not drinking enough water or if you consume a lot of alcohol and coffee. This can even lead to dizziness, fatigue, and headaches—definitely not ideal when you step off the plane into hot weather.
How to Prevent It
Stick to the old hydration advice: drink plenty of fluids, especially water. If you don’t want to spend half your vacation budget on water at the duty-free shop, bring an empty bottle through security and fill it up on the other side.
For your skin and lips, use moisturizers (like creams and balms) as much as you can—at least the amount you can carry in your carry-on. A nasal spray can help prevent dryness and irritation. And if you wear contact lenses, it’s better to switch to glasses during the flight, as noted by IFLScience.
Blood Clots in the Legs
Another potential side effect of long-haul flights is the formation of blood clots in the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, the risk of developing DVT increases not because of being in the air, but due to prolonged immobility.
When we sit in one position for too long, blood flow in the veins of the legs slows down. This can increase the likelihood of a clot forming. Overall, the risk is low. However, recent surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, hormone replacement therapy, the use of estrogen-containing contraceptives, and a genetic predisposition to clotting can elevate that risk.
How to Prevent It
The simplest thing you can do is to move around. Get up and walk around the cabin as much as possible. Also, make sure you have enough legroom to change positions while seated. Do some exercises, like flexing and extending your ankles.
For those at higher risk of clot formation, doctors recommend wearing compression stockings to help improve blood flow.
There are a few key warning signs to watch for after your flight: swelling in the leg, ankle, or calf; red, discolored, or warmer-than-normal skin. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s wise to consult a doctor.
Disruption of Circadian Rhythms
The longer you spend on a plane, the more likely you are to cross multiple time zones. Upon landing, you’ll face a mismatch between your internal clock (circadian rhythms), which is set to your home time zone, and the time zone you’ve arrived in. Unsurprisingly, your body doesn’t appreciate this.
Classic symptoms of jet lag include sleep disturbances, feelings of fatigue throughout the day, stomach issues, and difficulties with memory and concentration.
How to Minimize This Effect
Although jet lag is a temporary phenomenon, you don’t have to spend the first days of your vacation in bed like you’re sick. While you can’t completely avoid these symptoms, there are at least a few tricks to help minimize them.
To help your body adjust to the new time zone more quickly, start preparing for the upcoming changes a few days before your departure. Go to bed at least an hour later than usual if you’re heading west, and at least an hour earlier if you’re flying east.
When you go to sleep in your new location, set an alarm. Of course, this isn’t something you want to do on vacation, but this simple action will prevent you from sleeping the day away and, most importantly, missing breakfast. Also, try not to overindulge in food as soon as you arrive. This restriction—at least for the first few days—will help prevent stomach issues related to jet lag.
