Work and nomads
Flying a lot: what the body notices and what can be done
Dehydration, broken sleep, ears and back. The real complaints of frequent flying and the routines that actually help.
Claudia Ferrán 5 min Photo by Anatoliy Gromov on Unsplash Flying now and then does nobody any harm. Flying every week does: dry air, pressure, hours sitting down and split sleep add up, and almost always in the same places.
What shows up most
| Complaint | Where it comes from | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Dryness and tight skin | Very low cabin humidity | Water and moisturiser, and less coffee and alcohol |
| Ears on takeoff and landing | Pressure changes | Swallow, yawn and avoid flying with a cold if you can |
| Swollen legs | Hours sitting down | Get up, move your ankles and wear compression socks |
| Back and neck | Posture and the weight of the case | Build strength off the aircraft and spread the load |
| Broken sleep | Shifts and time zones | A fixed bedtime routine and light at the right moment |
The three routines that hold up longest
- Daily movement, even twenty minutes: it's what holds up your back and your rest.
- A fixed time to get up, even when the time you go to bed isn't yours to choose.
- And eating on a schedule, which sounds minor and is what anchors the body clock alongside light.
The part nobody talks about
The wear isn't only physical: constantly moving and eating alone in hotel rooms takes its toll too. A standing call home at an agreed time is one of the things that helps most, and it only works if your connection is sorted and doesn't depend on whichever hotel's wifi.
How to get that sorted is in connectivity for cabin crew.
Frequently asked questions
Why does skin dry out so much when flying?
Because cabin humidity is very low. Drinking water, using moisturiser and going easy on coffee and alcohol all help.
What do I do about my ears?
Swallow and yawn on takeoff and landing, and avoid flying with a heavy cold when you can.
How do I avoid swollen legs?
By getting up and moving your ankles often, and with compression socks on long flights.
What helps with sleep?
A fixed time to get up, eating on a schedule and seeking natural light at the right moment for the direction of the flight.
