The "jet-set" lifestyle is still seen as glamorous in spite of the health risks linked to long distance travel, according to a UK study.
Travellers face jet-lag, deep vein thrombosis and radiation exposure together with stress and loneliness, according to a study conducted at Surrey University, UK.
Glossy travel supplements and photo-sharing on social media all encourage the wrong image of travel, it is claimed.
Researcher Dr Scott Cohen said: “A man in a sharp suit, reclining in a leather chair, laptop open in front of him, a smiley stewardess serving a scotch and soda. This is often the image of travel, particularly business travel portrayed in TV ads and glossy magazines.
"But there is a dark side to this ‘glamorised’ hypermobile lifestyle that the media, and society ignores.
“The level of physiological, physical and societal stress that frequent travels places upon individuals has potentially serious and long-term negative effects that range from the breaking down of family relationships, to changes in our genes due to lack of sleep."
He added: "The reality is that most people who are required to engage in frequent travel suffer high levels of stress, loneliness and long-term health problems.
"There are also wider implications for the environment and sustainability. In this context, hypermobility seems far from glamourous.”
A darker side of hypermobility. Environment and Planning A July 2015
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