If you've ever traveled across time zones for a business meeting or vacation, you might know firsthand how jet lag can affect you for days after the trip. Inability to sleep, being overtired, lethargy, headaches and loss of concentration can really put a damper on your trip. Luckily there are a few things you can do to try to minimize the effects of jet lag.
Usually, jet lag happens as a result of crossing time zones. This can affect your internal body clock where you lose or gain several hours and your body becomes disoriented as to what time it actually is.
How severe the symptoms of jet lag are usually depends on the direction you are traveling in and is found to be worse if you are traveling eastward. This is because the body rhythm is extended up to 27 hours when a person flies westward thus, the body is able to catch up with it's environmental changes. Additionally, the "circadian rhythm" is more than 24 hours when a person travels westward due to the time of the day being lengthened which gives the body more time to adjust.
Unfortunately, there is no magic pill that will "cure" jet lag, but there are some things you can do to lessen the symptoms.
1. Natural light tends to help the body adjust, so staying outdoors during the day as much as possible in your new surroundings can help you cope with jet lag. This is because your body clock will be able to adjust at a faster rate once it becomes accustomed to the new surroundings.
2. If you are traveling to an important event, try to arrive well before the event is held. This is to give your body more time to adjust and get accustomed to the area. If you are on vacation, try adding a couple of days on to allow you to adjust so you won't have to spend your precious vacation days recovering from jet lag.
3. If there will be a big time difference in your actual bedtime, try adjusting it before you leave on your trip - going to bed earlier or later to match the time zone you will be in as closely as possible.
4. It's best to start right off doing your daily activities to your new time zone instead of trying to hold on to your old time zone. Wake up in the early morning of the new time zone and eat your meals at the new time zone;s time.
Jet lag doesn't have to be a huge problem if you don't let it. Just give yourself a couple of days to adjust and you'll be in sync with your new surroundings in no time .
Jet Lag Joss Stone
Jet lag occurs because the body is adjusting to a new cycle. Whether you realize it or not, your body is tuned into the daily cycle in your home town. This is why you always wake up in the morning no matter how late you went to sleep. The body is like a car and it is tuned. When you travel across more than a couple time zones, the old engine needs to be retuned. There are a couple basic steps you can take.
The first step in retuning your body to avoid jet lag is to recognize the time difference. If you are going to be traveling to a place that is three time zones ahead of you, you would be smart to modify your behavior a couple days ahead. Start trying to go to sleep more towards the time you will experience at your destination. The same thing goes for waking up. By taking these steps, you start motivating your body to change gradually. This beats forcing a change when you arrive and helps prevent jet lag.
Sitting on a plane can be insanely boring. The same goes for layovers. There is a temptation to fill the time by imbibing in adult beverages. This is generally a bad move. Unless you watch yourself, you will become dehydrated in the pressurized cabin of a plane. Adding alcohol to situation just dehydrates you more and creates the instant hangover. A hangover worsens the jet lag and nothing is worse than being in a new, foreign location feeling miserable.
Finally, most travelers start hustling the minute the get off the plane. There is so much to see and do that you can't waste even a minute. Well, you might want to take it easy the first day. Instead of rushing around like mad, try taking in one or two sites and then just lounging around in a caf?. A low stress day will help you relax and get your body adjusted to the local time. Stressing out will not.
Jet lag is a natural part of flying long distances. If you plan for it appropriately, you can minimize the impact on your trip.
Both Lee Dobbins & Nomad Rick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lee Dobbins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Diamonds and Install Flooring. Lee Dobbins writes for where you can learn more about air travel and how to get the best deals on airfare.. Lee Dobbins's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.
Nomad Rick has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aquarium Fish, Flying and Recreation and Sports. Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of to preserve your travels.. Nomad Rick's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
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