Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Although economic globalization surged during the latter past several decades, the phenomenon echoes back to the 15th century when explorers from Europe would cross oceans and continents to search for spice and gold.
To be an explorer during the Age of Exploration was both a blessing and a curse. Although it gave seafarers the opportunity to quench their thirst for adventure, they also had to contend with disease, dehydration, and starvation, among other things. And more often than not, the risks far outweighed the rewards.
Granted that international business travel today is far less dangerous, a jet set lifestyle still poses risks to one’s health and well-being.
According to a recent study jointly published by Scott Cohen of the University of Surrey and Stefan Gössling of Lund University, the negative personal and social costs of “hypermobility” — i.e. frequent travel — have been silenced by its “glamorization.”
Jet lag
Citing further studies, the researchers said that the most commonly discussed impact of frequent travel is jet lag — a disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm.
“Jet lag affects sleep–wake and gastro-intestinal patterns following high speed travel across many time zones, with significant feelings of jet lag reported even six days after flying, affecting mood, judgement and the ability to concentrate.” That’s not particularly helpful to professionals who need to be mentally awake during business meetings.
Radiation exposure
The researchers also said that frequent travelers are at risk of higher radiation exposure: “…[F]lying 85,000 miles a year goes beyond the regulatory limit for public exposure to radiation facilities (i.e. flying New York to Tokyo seven times return, or New York to Seattle return every three weeks in a year), and radiation exposure amongst commercial aircrew even exceeds that of nuclear power workers.”
Weaker immune system
Granted that jet lag is a problem in itself, Cohen and Gössling also noted that “Jet lag can even switch off genes that are linked to the immune system, thereby raising the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.”
Although there are risks to frequent travel, Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky, an expert on travelers’ health, explained to CNN that the same could be said with other activities. “Yes, there are possibilities of acquiring illnesses on airplanes, if you’re sitting next to, or close to, somebody who has an illness that may be transmitted through the respiratory route, such as measles or the common cold.
“But if you’re on a bus, on a train or in a movie theater, or in any confined space for a period of time, you could face the same risk,” she added.
“The lifestyle of the busy business traveler doesn’t lend itself to the greatest health maintenance. But traveler’s health is mostly common sense.”
