Jet Lag Disorder: What is it, symptoms, and tips to beat it

Every traveller who has crossed several time zones at least once is familiar with the problem of adapting to a new daily rhythm. You have probably noticed how difficult it can be to recover from a flight, as your "inner clock" is disrupted. The most annoying thing you have to deal with when you travel through different time zones is jet lag. Jet lag is a disruption of the healthy biological rhythms of our body due to the rapid change of time zones.  

For example, if you go on a trip by plane and cross the time difference of three or more hours, this is when we have to talk about such a phenomenon as jetlag. It is usually quite difficult to adjust to it. For example, it is difficult to go to bed at a new destination if your inner clock still follows the daily rhythm of your home time zone.

You need to go to bed but have problems falling asleep and would rather try roulette games. Or you feel tired. This condition is easier to overcome on holiday than on a business trip, but it is equally unpleasant in both cases.

Symptoms of jet lag disorder.
The usual symptoms of jet lag include sleep problems, loss of attention and inability to concentrate, irritability, quality, fatigue, and upset stomach. Additionally, signs of dehydration, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and problems with memory and movement control may also occur. There is no need to diagnose it: if you have crossed a time zone, or even more than one, and feel terribly tired, then you are almost certainly experiencing jet lag.

The severity of symptoms of jet lag depends more on the time difference between arrival and departure points than on the length of the flight. Some people manage to recover within a day, while others experience discomfort for several days.

In general, jet lag is not a disease or dangerous condition that threatens life or health. But still, if you do not start to act in time and do not try to minimize the effects of desynchrony, you may encounter some trouble. Therefore, we will try to figure out how to overcome the consequences of jet lag as painlessly as possible.

Tips to get over jet lag faster:
1 Book your flight thoughtfully. When booking your tickets, choose those flights that arrive at your final destination between noon and sunset time. You need to see the sunset so that your body is aware of the approach of evening/night. This will make it easier for you to go to bed according to your new schedule.

2 A few days before your planned flight, try to sleep less than usual, and reduce your standard night sleep by 1-2 hours. The optimal time for sleep is 5 hours. Due to accumulated fatigue, you will be able to sleep on the plane and more easily adapt to the new rhythm.

3 If you have a long flight don't forget to periodically stand up and walk around the cabin. This way you can release tension.

4 Adjust to a new daily rhythm at a new destination. After a long-distance flight, your body needs time to readjust its biological clock. This does not happen as quickly as we would like it to. Doctors advise you to spend the first day after arrival outside: sunlight helps the body to survive the difference in time zones. Exercise at the beginning of the day will also help cheer up the body and reconfigure the internal biorhythm.

5 When you get to the hotel, take a shower. Such simple manipulation perfectly helps to relieve fatigue and headaches.

6 Stay hydrated and eat healthily. If you have jet lag you need a balanced diet of vitamins - first of all, fruits, which are always available at the resorts. Water balance is always necessary for the body, but if you, for whatever reason, do not observe it in normal life, it is worth doing at least during the trip. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. As for food, it is better to give preference to a fresh light meal.

These simple tips will help you minimize the negative effects of jet lag and help you enjoy your business trip or holiday!

Please note: This article is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.