DO YOU THINK THAT FREQUENT TRAVEL IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH?

POST Catherine0321 DATE November 23, 10:36

I’m wondering if anyone starts to feel that frequent travel damages your health? I have started a new job for about six months and I have to fly to different places in Asia: Shanghai, Beijing, Malaysia, India, etc… I do sometimes feel tired because of jet lag but I wonder if anyone who’s been a frequent traveller for a certain period of time feels the negative impacts of frequent travel on health?

Flying soldier1993 November 23, 13:12

Ask any cabin crew member! They will most likely tell you that it does not add to your health and wellbeing. And the older you get the harder it becomes to tolerate jet lag and fight off those bugs in the recycled cabin air.

GivingupBA November 23, 13:42

This is a tough one. Psychologically longdistance travel has been a great benefit to me: stimulating and an important part of my life, I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Physically – very hard to answer your question – in what cabin do you mean? Business class, no problem, the pain is considerably eased. And how often is “frequent” to you? Long distance once a week would be much too much for me over decades. Three to four times a year, no problem at all.

never economy November 23, 16:11

After many, many years of frequent longhaul travel, I cannot honestly say that it has had any negative effects. It can actually be quite invigorating… something new and interesting on every trip.

GivingupBA November 23, 16:58

Regarding other halves – treading carefully, I’ll say that time apart can be good and healthy. It’s a slightly different case, but I read an article by the wife of a professional Himalayan climber. He was away for three months at a time, once or twice a year: she said when he came back, he upset all her routines (and was just itching to be back in the mountains again – such is the addictive nature of climbing). Sounds sad but I’ve never forgotten that. In my case, I always try to make sure Mrs GivingupBA knows that she comes first.