Doctors break down key reasons why flying can leave you feeling so bloated and exhausted and give advice on how to stay feeling productive
A long flight can feel like the perfect opportunity to power through a backlog of emails or to finally finish a novel. However, this urge to be productive disappears for many of us and feelings of sluggishness begin to creep in.
We asked some experts to break down some key reasons why flying can leave us feeling so bloated and exhausted. They also share their top tips on how to prevent a mid-flight slump.
First, here is why flying can make us feel lethargic.
1. Routine disruption
“When we are out of our usual routines on a flight, it disrupts what our bodies are used to,” says Dr Asimah Hanif, a medical expert working with UK travel insurance provider Staysure.
“For example, you might not be used to eating so early in the morning when they serve breakfast on a plane, and you might be served something that you don’t usually eat, like an omelette.
“So, the impact of both of those elements combined – eating things that you’re not used to and eating after the time frame in which you would usually eat – can disrupt digestion and contribute to sluggishness.”
UK-based gastroenterology specialist Dr Mark Austin agrees.