Experts reveal why you shouldn't sleep during takeoff and landing

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Almost everyone tends to rest their eyes during a flight, and those who are extremely tired might even fall asleep as soon as they board, butDon't sleep during takeoff and landing.Thereareexperts who explain that the air pressure in the cabin changes rapidly with altitude, and if your body isn't prepared, it may lead to health issues such as eardrum damage.

▲It's recommended to avoid napping during takeoff and landing when catching up on sleep on a plane. (Photo / Darzhi / Illustration)

British pharmacist Angela Chalmers says that when a plane ascends or descends to its destination, the air pressure in the cabin changes rapidly with the sudden change in altitude. People don’t swallow frequently while sleeping, and without being prepared, this can result in anything from mild ringing in the ears to serious eardrum damage.

The U.S. medical website MedlinePlus also adds that if your ears are blocked, it could lead to various health problems such as dizziness, ear infections, eardrum injury, and in severe cases, nosebleeds and hearing loss.

It’s recommended to stay awake during takeoff and landing. By performing simple actions like swallowing or yawning, you can open the Eustachian tubes and allow air to flow in and out of the middle ear, which helps balance the pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

Experts say that to avoid ear discomfort caused by takeoff and landing, you can chew gum or drink water to alleviate the effects.

▲More and more people are flying abroad, and experts advise against dozing off during takeoff and landing. (Photo / Darzhi Images / Illustration)