A lot of good things come with a price, including holidays, and we’re not just talking about the cost of the trip. The jetsetters among us know that jet lag is a common symptom of a once in a lifetime trip, but it’s important to take the condition seriously and do what we can to combat it.
Often used as a way to explain away mild symptoms like fatigue and disorientation, jet lag can be a debilitating condition, even if it’s only temporarily.
Which is why we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about this holiday hang-up. So, what exactly is jet lag, and what can you do to overcome it, and to prevent it in the future?
What is jet lag?
Jet lag occurs when your circadian rhythm – also known as your body clock – is out of sync with your time zone. You might be ready for bed in the middle of the day, and wide awake in the middle of the night.
It most often happens when we jet off to new time zones, hence the name. While it usually only takes a day or two for your body to fall into sync with its new surroundings, jet lag has been known to last for several weeks.
What are the symptoms of jet lag?
Tiredness and sleep quality
Tiredness, or exhaustion, during the day is the main symptom associated with jet lag. This can make it harder to fall asleep at night, and much more difficult to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed.
The quality of your sleep, as well as the quantity, might also be impacted. Jet lag sufferers complain of only getting snatches of rest each night, rather than the deep sleep their minds and bodies require. This can then lead to loss of focus and memory, which only adds to the feeling of disorientation.
Physical and mental health
Other symptoms of being out of sync with your surroundings include indigestion, nausea, a change in appetite (such as not wanting to eat at regular mealtimes), and mild anxiety, which could become more debilitating the longer the jet lag is left untreated.
It can also be a gateway to long-term health concerns like insomnia, which can in turn lead to further illnesses. A functional body clock is essential for overall health, so when yours is chronically out of step, it can increase the likelihood of diabetes, heart conditions, depression, and even some types of cancer.
How can you treat jet lag?
The best way to tackle jet lag is to give yourself time to adjust to a new time zone. In most cases, the circadian rhythm resets after a day or two, once you have fallen into a new routine. Sleeping tablets may be helpful if you’re suffering from insomnia, but they can be addictive, so it is not recommended you take them for more than a couple of days.
When you’re starting to flag, light exposure can make you feel more alert, and help with concentration. If you’ve travelled far, it might be tempting to nap on arrival, but this can only prolong your jet lag, so try to power through!
Lowering your risk of future jet lag
It might not be possible to prevent jet lag entirely, but the worst symptoms can be avoided, or at least made manageable. Poor sleep leading up to the journey will only make you more stressed, exacerbating the feeling of jet lag, so try to get plenty of rest before you travel.
During your flight, drink plenty of water, walk around the cabin to keep yourself active, and avoid caffeine and alcohol, which disrupt the body clock even when you’re not travelling. Start shifting your routine in the days and weeks leading up to your travel to adjust to your new time zone.
Once you arrive, change your sleep schedule to suit your time zone as soon as possible, set an alarm to wake yourself up at a reasonable, and get plenty of daylight and exercise to make falling asleep easier later.
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