Jet Lag - 8 Tips To Minimise Its Effects

Whether you are flying for business or pleasure, jet2.If you are due to land in the morning at your
lag can seriously impair your performance and holidaydestination, try to sleep during the flight. Sleeping on
fun for days.board a plane in cramped conditions isn't easy but
Jet lag occurs when the body's rhythms are out oftake off your shoes and try to get comfortable.
sync with your destination time - the body operatesTake an eye mask and ear plugs with you to help
on a 24-hour cycle, and travelling to a different timeblock out cabin distractions and a blow up neck rest
zone alters the body's natural rhythm causing jet lag.should add to your comfort. Even if you are unable
The more time zones you cross the worse it can beto sleep throughout the flight, just try to rest, close
and travelling east generally has a greater affect onyour eyes and try to 'switch off'.
jet lag than travelling west. It is easier on the body's3.If you are due to land at night, try to stay awake
biorhythms to add a few extra hours to the day, asthroughout the flight. Read a book, listen to some
in travelling west, than reducing the number of hoursmusic but try to resist sleeping as this will mean you
in a day when travelling east. The speed with whichwill be unable to sleep destination time and take
your body can realign itself to your new time zone,longer for your body clock to adjust.
adjusting its body rhythm to daylight, darkness,4.Set your watch to your destination time as soon as
eating and sleeping in the new time zone, affects theyou get on the plane and try to live by it straight
length of time you experience jet lag for.away. Try to eat at times appropriate to your
Jet lag can cause any or all of the followingdestination time not departure time.
symptoms:5.Some people reduce the impact of time zone
- Fatigue and lethargychanges by gradually adapting their routine by an
- Insomniahour or so a few days before they travel. By getting
- Disorientationup an hour earlier or staying up later for a few days
- Swollen hands and feetprior to departure depending on their destination time.
- Headaches6.If you arrive in the daytime, try to avoid the
- Digestive problemstemptation to sleep, get outside in the sunshine.
- Irritability or anxietyDaylight, or any light, is a major factor in resetting
- Lack of concentrationyour internal clock. If you are exhausted and have to
- Loss of appetite and nauseasleep try to limit a nap to one hour - set an alarm
- Dehydration.clock or your mobile phone to wake you.
It is often thought that it takes a day to recover for7.If you arrive at night and don't feel sleepy, try a
each time zone travelled through - this is great newswarm bath and a glass of warm milk - a natural sleep
for travellers on a week's holiday or a businessinducer.
traveller on a three day conference halfway across8.Resist the urge to party all night for the first couple
the world!days and get a couple of good nights' sleep. This
So what can you do to minimise the affects of jetshould help you get you adjust your body clock to
lag? The following tips are designed to help you avoidyour destination time and make for a more enjoyable
the worst of jet lag and realign your body clock asstay.
soon as possible.There is no miracle cure for jet lag, but by following
1.Drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine.the above tips you should minimise the effects of jet
Water is best but, if you find drinking large amountslag at your destination, and don't forget to use the
of water difficult or just plain boring, fruit juice andabove tips for your return too.
herbal teas will do.