At least months before a trip, we all get excited. Whether for a medical checkup, family holiday, business trip, or school project. Moreover, as you board the plane, your excitement prevents you from sitting still while it takes off. However, as soon as the plane touches down and you exit, you notice some form of health issue, typically known as jet lag, after a while.
In this article, we’ll take you through jetlag and show you how to reduce its effects.
What Is Jet Lag?
When your normal sleep cycle is affected in some way due to a long trip, this is known as jet lag.
Usually, it happens when a jet crosses three or more time zones.
Once you’ve gotten used to your new location and time zone, it usually disappears in a few days. There are more techniques to reduce the impact of jet lag on our bodies quickly.
Is Jet Lag real?
Of course, jet lag is real. When you have jet lag, your natural heart rhythm changes due to a time zone change. This means that your internal body clock is accustomed to one environment. Therefore, it is known as jet lag when it changes for any reason.
Jetlag is typically brought on by travel. If your travel direction changes from west to east, your jet lag will worsen and stay longer. However, those who frequently travel get used to jet lag and experience it less often.
How your body reacts when you have jet lag?
Your body’s temperature, blood pressure, glucose level, and hormone level all drop when each 24-hour cycle closes and a new day begins, and they desperately need to be filled up. All of which are controlled by your internal clock. Additionally, your body’s internal clock adjusts depending on how much of it is exposed to light and darkness each day and whether you get both.
It’s a general knowledge among most of us that our bodies need to absorb a certain amount of sunlight each day. However, other seasons have different weather. This is typically how the body’s internal clock functions. However, when you take a flight, perhaps for the first time, and cross a time zone, your body reacts to the sudden shift in time. Additionally, it takes time for your body to adapt to the surroundings once you arrive in the new time zone. This is what jet lag causes, unfortunately.
Symptoms of jet lag
After experiencing jet lag, one may have the following symptoms occasionally.
- Insomnia.
- Feeling worn out or exhausted.
- Felt sleepy the entire day.
- Memory loss or lack of focus.
- Fatigue.
- A change in mood.
- A lack of appetite.
- Also, diarrhoea and constipation precede cases.
Ways to reduce jet lag
In this post, we’ve divided the topic of reducing jet lag into numerous sections. And this is one of the other sections. Remember that jet lag cannot be prevented; the only option is to reduce it.
And there are specific approaches, which we have once more separated into two groups.
- when flying
- Following your flight.
When flying
- To stay hydrated on the flight, have a travel-friendly water bottle and drink from it frequently.
- Take a few breaks to stretch or move about the cabin throughout the journey.
- If your flight is at night, attempt to watch something while dozing off.
- Use the eye mask and earplugs provided on airplanes if you feel uncomfortable.
Following your flight.
- Rest as soon as you get home; this will help you settle more quickly.
- To get sunlight and feel more relaxed, try to go outside as soon as you wake up.
Tips to get over Jet Lag
There are several methods to deal with jet lag because it is rather common and not a major concern. Eventually, there won’t be more jet lag as your body adjusts.
Adjust to your New Environment
Go home and make yourself comfortable when you arrive at your location. Similar to doing precisely what you did at your previous location. Just try not to revert to your previous habits. Follow the local time rules and make the appropriate adjustments. Soon, you’ll settle in slowly.
Take Supplements
A person can take several health supplements both before and after flights. Melatonin supplements are one of them. The hormone melatonin, created in the brain and released at night to help with sleep, is a natural substance found in the body. Once you’ve decided to take melatonin, take 0.5 milligrams of the supplement 12 hours before travel. Do not attempt to consume more melatonin than 0.5mg at once. The only intent of taking melatonin is to regulate exposure to light and darkness and make yourself used to your new place.
Sleep Schedule
Sleeping in your new time zone is one strategy to prevent jet lag. Insomnia is the primary cause of jet lag. If your flight is at night, be sure to get some sleep on the plane. So that you feel better when you wake up the morning after the flight. So, follow these tips to sleep better on your travel-
- Download some music to help you fall asleep and play it as you try to sleep.
- Using the noise-canceling headphones they supply.
- Wear an eye mask if the brightness inside the plane makes it difficult to fall asleep.
- Utilize the ear plus they offer.
- Request a blanket or travel pillow from the staff to get some rest.
What to Drink
To stay awake, we typically drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
However, in this instance, avoid drinking alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and any in-flight coffee. Instead, bring a travel-friendly bottle with enough water or homemade juice to keep you hydrated and feel better during the flight.
Day Time Flight
If your flight is scheduled during the day, keep busy, like walking around the aircraft. Try to find a seat near the window so that there is light. Even if you don’t feel hungry, try to eat some snacks if the airplane offers you a meal or bring some snacks with you on the flight. Aircraft have built-in televisions where you can watch videos/movies, play games, listen to music, occasionally talk with other passengers online, or even shop while flying.
Treatment for jet lag
There is no need to take medication because jet lag is a relatively common after-travel effect. As soon as your body adjusts to the new time zone, jet lag frequently goes on its own within a day or two. Taking sleeping medication is acceptable, but not simultaneously, because it can become addictive. You could take a melatonin supplement instead. It will also be helpful.
Additionally, as you continue to travel, the jet lag will gradually disappear, and you will adjust to it.
Last Word
At this point in the article, we have at least discussed the fundamental concepts of jet lag that a person might consider if they experience it. We also hope you received all the information. Visit our website to see more intriguing stories like this one.
FAQ
Do children get jetlagged?
Unfortunately, these tiny babies also experience jet lag. However, because their memory functions much more simply than an adult’s, children often forget and adapt to their surroundings relatively fast.
Can Naps Help With Jet Lag?
Yes, taking little naps here and there after the flight is an excellent approach to dealing with Jet lag. Therefore, it is wise to take naps if jet lag symptoms arise.