If you’ve traveled through time zones rapidly, you probably have experienced jet lag.
Feelings of drowsiness, tiredness, irritability, lethargy, and mild disorientation?
Do you feel me? Yeah…
Jet lag is a physiological condition that comes as a result of disruptions in your body clock otherwise known as your circadian rhythm.
Your body clock comprises of a 24-hour cycle in your physiological, biochemical, and behavioral processes in the body. It is important to get to grips with this as it’s these elements being affected that lead to jet lag. These processes are responsible for regulating your daily activities, including eating, sleeping, waking, regulating body temperature.
It’s not just travel that can bring about the feeling of jet lag on the body, it can also affect you when sleep is disrupted due to a change of job or shift patterns changing, etc.
In fact, experts state that jet lag involves an interference in two linked but different groups of neurons in your brain. One of these groups of neurons is responsible for governing the dream state of REM sleep, while the other is related to your deep sleep state and the effects of physical exhaustion.
The group of neurons associated with your REM sleep struggles to adapt to the new cycle when you experience jet lag, and this causes the two groups of neurons to fall out of sync. So, how to avoid jet lag?
I would like to share with you some of the best tips how to beat jet lag, or at the very least reduce its effects on your mind and body!
1. Sleep soundly before you jet off
Follow The Sleep Advisor’s advice and get a super-solid night’s sleep before you fly. It’s not uncommon for people to get a rubbish night’s sleep, usually, just a few hours at best, prior to sitting on a long flight.
This can be down to a range of reasons, but whether it’s your pre-trip eagerness or a mindful effort to make yourself feel tired so you sleep right through the flight, you’re making an error. By making last-minute alterations to a regular routine, it will become far trickier for your mind and body to adapt to fresh time zones.
However, get a sound night’s sleep under your belt prior to your flight and you’re putting yourself in pole position to overcome or at least cope with jet lag better.
2. Arrive during the day
When you or you and your friends go to book the flights of your dreams, strategically plan them to avoid arriving at night!
If, of course, it is possible!
This is because it will make it simpler for you to remain awake. You can reduce the effects of jet lag and enjoy your trip even more. The chances are that you’re going to want to get out, discover and explore; particularly the weather’s looking fine!
3. Don’t sit still
I move around on a consistent basis and do exercises! It helps the blood flowing through body on board your flight, this can assist in diminishing jet lag.
It’s also well worth purchasing a pair of flight socks to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and increase circulation. In fact, a slowing down of your circulation is known to be one of the most common consequences of jet lag.
4. Don’t be a barfly
An unpopular point, no doubt, but by not running straight to the airport lounge and getting stuck into some beers, wines and spirits to celebrate the start of your travels (regardless of the time of day) you are doing yourself no favors whatsoever.
Quite simply, it’s bad because the effects that alcohol have on you during periods of altitude bring about feelings of increased tiredness and instigate dehydration, and staying hydrated will make it easier to overcome the unavoidable feeling of jet lag.
5. Skip the sleeping pills
Another hack you might think will serve to help you ease the onset of jet lag is reaching for the sleeping pills. Essentially, it’s just not worth doing, believe me!
Sleeping pills, no matter what you hear, will offer nothing in terms of avoiding or recovering from jet lag and will more likely just leave you feeling out of sorts upon landing.
I would love to hear about your tips how to beat jet lag! Let’s help each other and share some great advice!
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