Jetlag

You know you are suffering from jet lag when you arrive at your destination and your luggage is in better shape than you are!

According to  sources as many as 94% of travellers on long haul flights experience jet lag in some form.  Unfortunately it effects us in three ways: mentally, physically and even emotionally. Symptoms include insomnia, disorientation, anxiety, swelling limbs, ear, nose or eye irritations, headaches, bowel irregularity and light-headedness.

It occurs because changes in time zones confuse the body’s circadian rythms (your body’s 24 hour biological clock).  Biological clocks flood our bodies with hormones which control sleep patterns, wakefulness, hunger and activity.

In effect, it is not the length of your flight that determines the extent of the jet lag you will experience, but how many time zones you have passed through.  Getting over the effect can take as long as 24 hours per time zone crossed.

For some mysterious reason, jet lag seems to be worse when flying eastward. Travelling north to south within the same timezone, does not have any jetlag effect.

Age is also an important factor.  Babies do not seem bothered at all by jet lag but adults can help themselves by being well rested, not overeating, foregoing alcohol and smoking.

TOP TIPS

Change your bedtime
If you can, change your bed time 3 nights before leaving. Travelling east go to bed one hour earlier for each time zone difference. Going west to east go to bed on hour later for each time zone.

Pop a pill
There are anti-jetlag drugs and Melatonin is currently considered to be the best., even though it has only a partial, sporadic effect.

Pop a vitamin pill or supplements
Research has found that certain vitamins are depleted in a plane’s unnatural atmosphere and this may contribute to jeg lag.  Some sources recommend taking vitamin B12 for two weeks before and one week after a flight.  Another suggests doses of time-released vitamin C (1,000 milligrams) starting the day before departure and stopping a day after returning home.

Potassium can also be drained from the body during long flights due to lack of activity.  This can easily be counteracted by drinking orange juice or eating a banana.

Watch what you eat
Remember that protein rich meals stimulate wakefulness and high carbohydrate meals make you drowsy.  To stay awake at your destination in order to fall into the bedtime rythms of that country, drink caffeine beverages and high fibre foods to fight constipation.  Avoid fatty foods which tend to make you feel sluggish.

Some say its best not to eat on a flight.  This may be a little difficult so do so in moderation.

Light cures
Some researchers say that daylight may be just what the doctor ordered to help with jet lag.  Five hours of sunlight are recommended.

Move around
A study by German researchers found that sedantary passengers suffered more from jet lag than active passengers.  Excersice or move around both in the air and upon arrival in order to promote good blood circulation and a feeling of well-bing.

At the airport, forget the moving walkways.  Walk on terra firma to your plane.  On the plane take a walk up and down the aisles when you can.  At the very least it helps time fly.

Drink water
Flying tends to dehydrate your body and this can also contribute to jet lag. Drinks lots of water, and even splash or spray your face with water.
 

30 January 2006