There can be a lot of hassles linked with plane travel, from chaotic airports to lost luggage and overweight baggage fees. Traveling is stressful enough as it is without experiencing jet lag once you reach a new location.
Here’s everything you need to know about jet lag – and how to avoid it.
Jet Lag: What Is It?
Jet lag disrupts your circadian rhythm, one of the processes regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Here’s how your circadian rhythm relates to this definition. Sleep habits depend on our circadian rhythm, an internal clock. Also, the sun rises and sets on your internal clock according to your geographic location. You stay alert and awake all day long and sleep at night. A sudden change in sunrise and sunset times disrupts the body’s clock, causing jet lag. In addition to impacting your sleep, it affects the production of hormones. Your body will still be in sync with your original time zone, so you’ll be wide awake at five in the morning in a new city.
Why do you get Jet Lag?
Those who fly across multiple time zones experience jet lag the most. The symptoms of jet lag tend to be more common among eastbound passengers since they lose time. Symptoms may become more severe as you cross more time zones.
Do I have a chance of having jet lag?
Traveling long distances does not always result in jet lag. Several factors can cause jet lag:
· Time of arrival
Some research shows that arriving in the afternoon rather than early in the morning reduces jet lag.
· Anxiety
Jet lag is harder to cope with when stress interferes with sleep.
· Detail of Trip
Several factors, such as travel distances, flight delays, the time zone crossed, travel direction, and the time of your stay, influence jet lag severity.
· Caffeine and alcohol use
The brain reacts in ways that interrupt sleep when drinking alcohol and caffeine during a flight.
· Get some sleep before your trip
There is a greater risk of a person experiencing jet lag if they do not get enough sleep before taking off.
· Age
There has been mixed research on the effects of age on jet lag. Over the 60s are more likely to suffer from jet lag when traveling, while young people suffer more.
What is the impact of jet lag on me?
Jet lag can cause the following symptoms:
- Memory or attention problems
- Intestinal problems such as nausea, constipation, and reduced appetite
- The inability to sleep at night and daytime sleepiness
- Mental health problems become worse or irritated
- Nighttime seizures or sleep paralysis are possible in rare cases
A few tips for preventing jet lag
- Take a break now and then
- Get your body in sync
- If you reach your destination, do not fall asleep
- Keep hydrated
- Make exercise a priority
- Get warm in the sun
DID YOU KNOW?
In contrast to travel fatigue, jet lag is a different condition. The physical strain of travel can cause fatigue and headaches. A good night’s sleep will cure travel fatigue since it doesn’t involve your circadian rhythm.
