It ’s certainly almost unavoidable to experience jet lag when flying across multiple time zones. Jet lag can ruin a trip, whether you’re flying for pleasure or business.
What is Jet Lag?
Jet Lag which is also called Desynchronosis is a fusion of fatigue and other symptoms caused by abruptly flying across different time zones. It’s classified as a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, which occurs when the internal clock is disrupted. Travelling to a different time zone causes the circadian rhythm to be adversely affected. Technically, the action of sunlight on brain chemicals or neurotransmitters, particularly melatonin, causes your body to be synchronised to night and day. A 24-hour physiological ‘clock’ is used to time many bodily processes. Temperature, hormones, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, and mental states are all examples of these factors. The circadian rhythm (‘circadian’ means approximately one day) refers to the changing rate of activity every 24 hours. These rhythms notify your body when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake up.
Symptoms Of Jet lag
Jet lag causes a variety of symptoms. You could have a single symptom or a slew of them. The following are some examples of jet lag symptoms:
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Having trouble falling asleep (Insomnia)
- Fatigue
- Stomach Upset
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Daytime drowsiness
- Mood swings (irritability)
- Nausea
- Dehydration
How to Beat Jet Lag
1. Abstain from Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol can both affect your sleep patterns, making it difficult to sleep and as well can cause you to become more dehydrated. To combat the dehydrating effects of flying, drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight.
2. Increase your Sun Exposure
Getting outside during daylight hours can jump-start alertness. Light helps your body recognize it’s time to be awake. Regulating exposure to light can perhaps help you adapt to your new location because light exposure is one of the most important influences on your body’s circadian rhythm.
3. Concentrate On Getting Enough Sleep
If you can, sleep on the plane to help your body adjust to a new time zone more quickly. If it’s a daytime arrival, you should also resist the urge to nap. This can make sleeping later difficult.
4. Adapt to the New Time Zone
Your body will adjust more quickly if you adapt to the local time zone as soon as possible. As a result, if you arrive at noon local time (but 6 a.m. your time), you should eat lunch rather than breakfast.
5. Make use of Melatonin
Melatonin is produced naturally by your body to induce sleep, however, it is available as a booster. Melatonin may be effective in enabling your body to fall or stay asleep when jet-lagged.
Conclusion
Jet lag is a typical illness that lasts for just few days or weeks and then disappears. During the first few days after travelling to a different time zone, jet lag symptoms can sometimes be difficult to deal with. Maintaining a new schedule and managing your awake and sleepy times with specific actions may help to eliminate jet lag symptoms.
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