If you’ve ever traveled a long distance by plane, you may have experienced jet lag. If not, you have to at least have heard of it. You might assume that making rapid time changes and being exhausted from it is unavoidable. Not only can you avoid it, though, but it’s actually necessary. So, how about exploring some jet lag remedies?
Defining Jet Lag
Jet lag is known, in medical circles, as desynchronosis. The easiest way to explain it is that it happens when the clock inside your body, called the circadian rhythm, gets messed up. Typically, that happens when you cross several time zones by plane.
Of course, time zones are split by vertical lines that separate the globe into sections. That means that you get jet lag by traveling east to west or west to east. You won’t get it by going north to south or south to north, since you don’t actually cross any time zones that way.
Jet Lag Symptoms
Most people think of jet lag as causing extreme tiredness. That’s not all there is to it, though. It actually tends to cause tiredness during the day, but inability to sleep at night. For someone who needs to be on the go for a business meeting or similar event, that can be a real problem.
In addition to all that, some cases of jet lag can cause severe headaches. Others can cause mood swings, depression and stomach ailments. So, it can be a really serious and annoying problem, even if it is temporary.
Speed Matters
When you cross a time zone in a car, it can upset your circadian rhythm, but not by much. That’s because you’re only crossing one time zone and you’re doing so at a very slow pace. If you were to cross, say, three time zones, though, you’d have a worse problem. Anyone who travels by plane can encounter that issue.
Treating Jet Lag
A medication called melatonin is one of the main ways to treat jet lag. In the US, it’s available over the counter. Some countries require prescriptions for it, though. An alternative is to use sunlight to treat the problem. By exposing yourself to bright sunlight for half an hour in the morning, your body can readjust to a new time zone.
There are also many other natural jet lag remedies that you can try. The biggest one is changing your diet when you travel. Reduce carbohydrate intake early in the day, for instance. Carbs will only make you sleepy. Also, don’t eat too many proteins before bed. They’ll only perk you up and make your jet lag worse.