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Global Travelers: Watch Out for JetLag |
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Contributed by Chris Wills
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 Jetlagged ?
Jet lag occurs when
the body's
rhythms are out of sync with your destination time - the body operates
on a 24-hour cycle, and traveling to a different time zone alters the
body's natural rhythm causing jet lag. The more time zones you cross
the worse it can be - traveling east has a greater affect on jet lag
than traveling west. It is easier on the body's biorhythms to add a
few extra hours to the day, as in traveling west, than reducing the
number of hours in a day when traveling east. The speed with which
your body can realign itself to your new time zone, adjusting its body
rhythm to daylight, darkness, eating and sleeping in the new time zone,
affects the length of time you experience jet lag for.
Jet lag can cause any or all of the following symptoms:
* Fatigue and lethargy * Insomnia * Disorientation * Swollen hands and
feet * Headaches * Digestive problems * Irritability or anxiety * Lack
of concentration * Loss of appetite and nausea * Dehydration. It is
often thought that it takes a day to recover for each time zone
traveled through - this is great news for travelers on a week's
holiday or a business traveler on a three day conference halfway across
the world! So what can you do to minimize the affects of jet lag? The
following tips are designed to help you avoid the worst of jet lag and
realign your body clock as soon as possible.
1. Drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
Water is best but, if you find drinking large amounts of water
difficult or just plain boring, fruit juice and herbal teas will do.
2. If you are due to land in the morning at your destination,
try to sleep during the flight. Sleeping on board a plane in cramped
conditions isn't easy but take off your shoes and try to get
comfortable. An eye mask and ear plugs with help block out cabin
distractions and a blow up neck rest should add to your comfort. Even
if you are unable to sleep throughout the flight, just try to rest,
close your eyes and try to 'switch off'.
3. If you are due to land at night, try to stay awake
throughout the flight. Read a book, listen to some music but try to
resist sleeping as this will mean you will be unable to sleep
destination time and take longer for your body clock to adjust.
4. Set your watch to your destination time as soon as you get
on the plane and try to live by it straight away. Try to eat at times
appropriate to your destination time not departure time.
5. Some people reduce the impact of time zone changes by
gradually adapting their routine by an hour or so a few days before
they travel. By getting up an hour earlier or staying up later for a
few days prior to departure depending on their destination time.
6. If you arrive in the daytime, try to avoid the temptation
to sleep, get outside in the sunshine - daylight, or any light, is a
major factor in resetting your internal clock. If you are exhausted and
have to sleep try to limit a nap to one hour - set an alarm clock or
your mobile phone to wake you.
7. If you arrive at night and don't feel sleepy, try a warm
bath and a glass of warm milk - a natural sleep inducer.
8. Resist the urge to party all night for the first couple
days and get a couple of good nights' sleep. This should help you
adjust your body clock to your destination time and make for a more
enjoyable stay.
If you would like to read more articles about
different aspects of travel just visit traveltypes.net
Article Source: articledashboard.com
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