When Flying Kills
Hypermobile business travellers often face a slew of health hazards; Here is what you can do.
- Jan 30, 2018,
- Updated Feb 4, 2018 5:34 PM IST
Do you fly frequently because your job demands it? At first, it seems exciting and glamorous. But after a time you realise there is no charm left in amassing frequent flyer miles just as George Clooney did in the Hollywood classic Up in the Air. The grim reality: Frequent air travel can cause a whole range of health problems due to loss of sleep, lack of exercise, poor eating and added stress. There could be potentially fatal health hazards such as deep vein thrombosis, caused by sitting in one posture for too long, especially on long-distance flights. In such cases, blood clots form in a large vein, and if a clot breaks loose, it can end up blocking an artery. Flying too often could also lead to lower immunity, obesity, lung and cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes.
It sounds like a well-packaged marketing pitch, but an Indian company claims it serves the health conscious. Last year, ITC came up with a 'sleep' menu to promote a good night's rest and in 2016, introduced 'alert meets', a range of 'alert' foods low on carbs and sugars to ensure no one feels drowsy at a post-lunch meeting. The idea is to use ingredients that induces sleep or keeps you awake, as required.
Vijay Nagpal, Corporate Chef at ITC Hotels, says, "We have developed the menu in consultation with the scientists at ITC's Life Sciences & Technology Centre in Bengaluru. During the trials (at a non-invasive sleep lab), we monitored sleep patterns that showed significant improvement in the quality of sleep upon consumption of the items from the 'Swasthya' menu before bedtime. For meetings, we offer 'alert meets' that score high on health and taste."
You can also get a tailor-made menu at any star hotel. Most of them offer health foods such as low gluten diet or diabetic-friendly meals with sugar-free desserts. Other than food, your bed and pillows, as well as the lighting and air quality of the room, will help you sleep well.
Do you fly frequently because your job demands it? At first, it seems exciting and glamorous. But after a time you realise there is no charm left in amassing frequent flyer miles just as George Clooney did in the Hollywood classic Up in the Air. The grim reality: Frequent air travel can cause a whole range of health problems due to loss of sleep, lack of exercise, poor eating and added stress. There could be potentially fatal health hazards such as deep vein thrombosis, caused by sitting in one posture for too long, especially on long-distance flights. In such cases, blood clots form in a large vein, and if a clot breaks loose, it can end up blocking an artery. Flying too often could also lead to lower immunity, obesity, lung and cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes.
It sounds like a well-packaged marketing pitch, but an Indian company claims it serves the health conscious. Last year, ITC came up with a 'sleep' menu to promote a good night's rest and in 2016, introduced 'alert meets', a range of 'alert' foods low on carbs and sugars to ensure no one feels drowsy at a post-lunch meeting. The idea is to use ingredients that induces sleep or keeps you awake, as required.
Vijay Nagpal, Corporate Chef at ITC Hotels, says, "We have developed the menu in consultation with the scientists at ITC's Life Sciences & Technology Centre in Bengaluru. During the trials (at a non-invasive sleep lab), we monitored sleep patterns that showed significant improvement in the quality of sleep upon consumption of the items from the 'Swasthya' menu before bedtime. For meetings, we offer 'alert meets' that score high on health and taste."
You can also get a tailor-made menu at any star hotel. Most of them offer health foods such as low gluten diet or diabetic-friendly meals with sugar-free desserts. Other than food, your bed and pillows, as well as the lighting and air quality of the room, will help you sleep well.