Long-Haul Flights Could Be Affecting Your Hormones – Here’s What You Need to Know

Picture this: You’ve booked your dream holiday, packed your bags, and braved the airport security line.

You’re cruising at 35,000 feet, imagining the blissful escape that awaits you. But while you’re sipping on your overpriced in-flight beverage, your body’s hormones are staging a revolt.

That’s right, folks—your holiday destination might be messing with your hormones in ways you’d never expect.

Dr. Natasha Fernando, the Medical Director at Medichecks, has a few things to say about how long-haul flights could be affecting your hormones. And let me tell you, it’s not all sunshine and sandy beaches.

Cortisol Conundrum

First up is cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone.” Normally, this little devil helps you wake up in the morning and get through the day without turning into a complete basket case. But toss in a few time zones, and cortisol decides to go rogue.

Dr. Fernando says that when your internal clock gets out of sync with the local time, cortisol levels can spike or dip at all the wrong moments.

Instead of that bright-eyed, bushy-tailed feeling you were hoping for, you’re left battling fatigue, brain fog, and possibly snapping at anyone who dares ask if you want to see the breakfast menu.

Melatonin Madness

Next, we’ve got melatonin, the hormone that helps you catch some Zs. It’s like your body’s very own Sandman, sending you off to dreamland when the lights go out.

But when you’re skipping across time zones like a jet-setting nomad, your body gets confused. Suddenly, melatonin doesn’t know when it’s supposed to show up for work.

Dr. Fernando explains that the sudden shifts in light exposure can leave you wide awake at midnight, staring at the ceiling of your hotel room and wondering why you ever left home.

And the lack of sleep? That can lead to mood swings, poor concentration, and the kind of grumpiness that no amount of room service can fix.

Hunger Hormone Havoc

And let’s not forget about ghrelin and leptin, the dynamic duo that control hunger and satiety.

Ghrelin is the one that makes your stomach growl like a bear, while leptin is supposed to tell you when you’ve had enough. But after a long-haul flight, these two seem to forget their jobs.

According to Dr. Fernando, those inflight meals—packed with carbs and sugar—can send your hunger hormones into overdrive.

Add the stress and boredom of the flight, and you’re left with cravings that would make a pregnant woman blush.

Next thing you know, you’re scarfing down airport snacks like it’s your last meal, and your waistline is paying the price.

Surviving the Hormonal Rollercoaster

So, what’s a traveller to do? Dr. Fernando has a few tricks up her sleeve to help you keep your hormones in check while you’re gallivanting around the globe:

1. Plan Your Sleep: A few days before you take off, start shifting your sleep schedule to match your destination’s time zone. And for heaven’s sake, lay off the caffeine and booze before bed.
2. Hydrate Like a Pro: Dehydration is the jet lag monster’s best friend. Drink water like you’re in a desert before, during, and after your flight.
3. Eat Smarter: Choose healthier options during your flight and try not to eat everything the flight attendants offer you. Your hormones—and your waistline—will thank you.
4. Manage Stress: If flying makes you jittery, try deep breathing, meditation, or light stretching. Or, if you’re like me, maybe a stiff drink, but don’t tell Dr. Fernando I said that.
5. Light Exposure: Soak up the sunlight when you land to help reset your internal clock. And at night, avoid staring at your phone like it’s a beacon in the darkness.
6. Get Moving: Once you’ve landed, get some light exercise to help your body adjust. But steer clear of any hardcore workouts before bed, unless you enjoy staring at the ceiling.

In Conclusion

So, there you have it—long-haul flights could be affecting your hormones in more ways than you thought.

But with a little planning and a few smart choices, you can keep those hormones in check and actually enjoy your vacation. Because, let’s face it, no one wants to spend their holiday feeling like they’ve been run over by a bus.