Физиологические эффекты полета: как высота и давление влияют на организм пассажиров

Bloating, fatigue, dehydration… It gets us where we need to go, but flying puts our bodies under a fair bit of physiological stress. None of it is dangerous for healthy travellers — thankfully, our systems adjust fast. But between the altitude, dry air, and gas expansion, it explains a lot about why we land feeling the way we do. Metro speaks to some of the UK’s most trusted health advisors about what actually happens to us at 35,000 feet, and what we can do to reduce the impact of frequent flying. The stress before the storm Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Before we’ve left the gate, pharmacist Thorrun Govind says our stress hormones have usually risen slightly. That’s because on top of the crowds, the queues, the ‘have I got my passports’, airports have an unusual effect on our behaviour and emotions. In the field of psychogeography, airports are seen as liminal zones where boundaries fade. On a literal level, national borders also dissolve. Once we pass through security, we enter a no man’s land, between countries. The concept of place becomes hazy. So does time, creating a sense of unique disorientation. Being able to manage our time gives us a sense of control over our lives, says Steve Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Leeds Beckett University. Losing this can be a source of anxiety, he explains, so long before we’ve boarded: up go the stress levels. Up, up in the air For most people, flying isn’t dangerous. But after takeoff, Thorrun explains, things happen fast. Planes are pressurised to feel like you’re somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000ft, dropping blood oxygen levels from about 97% to 90%. This isn’t a problem for healthy people, she assures, but it can leave us feeling foggy and tired, because too little oxygen to the brain impairs cognition. The air in a plane cabin is very dry, usually only 10-20% humidity compared with the 40-50% we get at home or in the office. That’s drier than most deserts in daytime air! Almost immediately, Thorrun explains, moisture begins evaporating from your skin. But the idea that we are instantly dehydrated, she says, is a myth. The dryness affects external surfaces such as eyes, nose, throat and skin, not whole-body dehydration. ‘If you are someone who wears contact lenses you will often feel this first,’ Thorrun adds. Drinking plenty of water is sensible, she advises, but booze should be saved for arrival. ‘If you add alcohol into the mix, fluid loss can become even more noticeable, leaving you feeling thirstier and sometimes with a headache by the time you land.’ Cabin pressure also affects how we taste. The mix of low pressure and dry air, which blunts smell (and smell drives most of the flavour), suppresses our perception of sweet and salty taste. The exception is anything savoury, which holds up – or is even enhanced – by in-flight conditions. This is why tomato juice and Bloody Marys are popular in the air, and why airline food is so heavily seasoned. Research suggests that background noise from aircraft engines may play a part in how we taste while flying, too. Beyond that, physics guarantees that we’re going to feel bloated as soon as we land. Under something called Boyle’s Law, as cabin pressure falls, trapped gas expands, causing that feeling we all know well. Trapped air in the middle ear and sinuses must also adjust to match the changing pressure, and that rebalancing is what we feel when our ears pop. What can we do to feel better flying? For frequent travellers, Thorrun says it’s about simple things. ‘Move regularly on flights to keep circulation going, stay well hydrated, limit alcohol and caffeine, and protect sleep as much as possible when crossing time zones,’ she says. ‘Compression socks and getting daylight and light exercise after landing can also help.’ Wellness expert John La Puma says what you do when you arrive is just as important. ‘Assume the time zone where you land. The next day get outside for daylight first, before coffee or your phone….short intentional time outdoors resets your body’s clock more than anything indoors,’ he explains. Our Top Shopping Picks - Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows - Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off - The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays - The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades - This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin ‘Under three time zones, your body adjusts on its own within a day or two. You’re not jet-lagged. You’re indoors at the wrong time.’ MORE: I ran an ultra-marathon across one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth MORE: The best carry-on bags that fit Ryanair and easyJet cabin rules