Jet Lag

I just flew from NYC to London and have a terrible Jet Lag with a slight fever. Not being a child, I thought I would research some more on what jet lag actually is and for all of you frequent travellers out there that hit it on occassionally…

This passage was taken from AmericanHospitals.com website. Hope you find the information below useful…

What is jet lag?

It is nothing more than a confused body “clock”. The more time zones your body crosses, the further behind your body clock lags. Some symptoms include dizziness, headaches, and sore muscles, and physiological processes are out of sync. For example, you may be wide awake at 3:00 a.m. and hungry at 3:00 in the afternoon.

What factors influence the severity of jet lag?

• The direction you travel: Traveling east usually produces more severe jet lag than west.
• The number of time zones you cross; each time zone you cross multiplies the effect of jet lag.
• Stress
• The quality of your flight: low humidity, excessive noise and vibration, turbulence, sitting for long periods, and a warm, stuffy atmosphere can compound the effects of jet lag.
• How much you drink: If you drink or eat more than you normally would before, during or after your flight, you may be asking for discomfort.
• How much caffeine you consume; the caffeine in coffee and soft drinks can ward off the initial fatigue, but will only intensify the effects of jet lag later on.

How can I prepare my body for jet lag?

• Try to schedule your flight according to the direction you are traveling. Book an early flight if you are traveling east, an afternoon or evening flight if traveling west.
• Adjust your schedule before you leave. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier three days before your trip if you are heading east, and later if heading west.
• Consult your physician about a jet lag diet. Also, many health food stores sell special “anti-jet lag” vitamin and amino acid products, but there is no clinical evidence that proves their effectiveness.
• During your flight, you can minimize the effects of jet lag by drinking plenty of fluids, eating light meals, wearing loose-fitting clothing to reduce stress, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, doing simple isometric exercises, and, if all else fails, keeping your home schedule while traveling.

Happy Travelling…