Jet Lag Remedy |Some Jet Lag Remedies Work Better than Others
No jet lag remedy works for all. Different people feel varying degree of discomfort while flying long distances.
Can you avoid jet lag – probably not? Is there a way to prevent it? You may probably be able to reduce the impact but preventing jet lag may not be possible for a log flight passenger.
Flying to different time zones and particularly to the time zones which are more than 4-5 hours apart can be really very disruptive to your daily sleep routine. This disruption is defined as jet lag.
What Causes Jet Lag
Melatonin is a hormone which is secreted in the brain by the pineal gland controls the body's circadian rhythm (internal clock that decides our sleeping timings). Melatonin release is linked to light. The timings of light and darkness changes as we move past many time zones effecting sleep cycle.
There are many reasons for jet lag but the most prominent one is the time zone difference between the two airports.
Other reason though less prominent include, dryness in the aircraft which impacts sinus membranes, cabin pressure at high altitude causes tiredness and lethargy, the stale air in the aircraft may cause nausea and the pre journey pressures and anxieties all put together add to the jet lag complications.
It is estimated that every one hour of the time zone difference will cause 1 day of sleep disruption before you get back to normal routine. In other words if you are taking a long haul flight of say 9 hours, it may take 9 days for your sleep to come back to normal cycle.
Signs and Symptoms of Jet lag
Statistically more people experience jet lag while flying eastwardly. Westward flying may not be that bad. Night time flying causes more jet lag complications than the day time flying.
Main symptoms of the jet lag are temporary. They include insomnia, disorientation, lack of concentration or fuzziness, irritability and indigestion for many days after the journey is completed. You may also experience discomfort in the legs and feel dehydrated.
The scientific name for jet lag is Circadian Dischronism; Circadian actually means ‘something occurring within the next 24 hours, and Dischronism simply means disorder of events in their occurrence.
Like it or not, unfortunately, there is no cure for jet lag nor is there a sure shot way to completely prevent it. However, there are many different ways which can help alleviate some of the symptoms of jet lag. One or more of the following Jet Lag Remedies Should work for you:
Prepare yourself in advance for the new time zone sleeping schedule. If your flight time zone difference is 1-3 hours then couple of days before the journey, you can shift your sleeping time according to the new time zone. Begin to sleep early or late depending on whether you are travelling eastward or westward. This is one of the easiest methods to avoid jet lag during short journeys.
Another important preflight routine to avoid jet lag (reduce the impact) is to remain calm and completely relaxed before the flight. What it means is that complete your preparations for the travel many days in advance. No last minute rush, shopping for gifts or any other such activity that causes anxiety. Feel excited and look forward to enjoy the flight.
Don’t underestimate the power of being relaxed as one of the best jet lag remedy.
Drink a lot of water during the flight. Keep yourself fully hydrated. This will have a very positive effect on your sinuses and the entire ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) region. Don’t take caffeine, alcohol or aerated drinks because they increase dryness and dehydration. Apply moisturizing creams to avoid skin dehydration. This way you can reduce if not prevent jet lag completely.
Don’t remain seated on seat throughout the flight. Move up and down the aisle. Go to toilet. Stretch and twist your body. All these little activities will reduce the impact of jet lag.
Don’t take sleeping pills. They will increase the complexities of jet lag.
Melatonin supplements have been found to help the body quickly adjust to the new surroundings thereby curing jet leg quickly. These should be done under doctors supervision to avoid side effects which include excessive dreams and nightmares.
Other great natural jet leg remedy is to stand in front of the sun at your destination of 20-30 minutes to get the sunlight regulate melatonin release at proper time in the new time zone. This regular sunlight exposure and try to avoid sleeping at the old time zone sleeping time ( this may cause little discomfort) but will greatly help as natural jet leg remedy.
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