Overcoming Jet Lag

Jet lag can be one of the worst, and certainly one ofand tourists alike to maximize the opportunities
the most frustrating, aspects of long distance travel.afforded by their stay. What's more, if insomnia
Also called desynchronosis (meaning "out of time"),caused by jet lag does not pass, or recurs frequently
jet lag occurs when travellers pass through multiplefor more than a couple of weeks, it could be
time zones, arriving several hours ahead or behindindicative of a more persistent sleep problem.
their "home" time.Natural sleep remedies and approaches can be used
Travelling across several time zones upsets yourto effectively manage jet lag and, by taking a
body's internal clock, which relies on a variety ofproactive approach, you can significantly decrease or
environmental cues such as daylight and temperature.limit the severity and number of symptoms - not to
The degree of jet lag suffered can be measured inmention shortening the duration of your jet lag.
terms of the time change you undergo - the greaterEstablishing a regular and consistent sleep schedule
the difference in time between your home and yourbefore you even start to make travel plans is one
new location, the more disoriented your body clockimportant step towards limiting the effects of jet lag.
becomes and the more jet lag you are likely toSimple dietary changes like the reduction or
experience.elimination of caffeine and alcohol have also proven
One major feature of jet lag is seen in your body'seffective, and travellers who are accustomed to
struggle between emotional energy and physicalcoping with jet lag often bring along natural sleep
lethargy. While your mind is able to process theremedies like herbal teas and infusions to help induce
change in time and location relatively quickly and canthe body's natural sleep cycles upon arrival at their
rationally appreciate environmental cues such asdestination.
daylight (or the lack of it) and time of day, yourYou may have heard that sleeping pills and other
body will be much slower to respond. Although thesleep aids are also effective tools for managing jet
time to recover will vary from person to person,lag.
most people agree that overcoming jet lag, adjustingBecause sleeping pills suppress the body's immune
to a new time zone and resuming a regular sleepsystem in order to generate artificial sleep, as
cycle can take two or three days or, in severeopposed to naturally induced restorative sleep,
cases, an entire a week.sleeping pills are not always an effective remedy for
Although not necessarily serious, insomnia caused byjet lag. In fact, sleeping pills can potentially
jet lag can interfere with mental clarity and efficiencyexacerbate the symptoms by delaying the
and may have some bearing on your emotional state.adjustment of your internal body clock.
Jet lag can also make it difficult for business travellers