You might have heard a friend or relative complaining about the inability to sleep when they travel across many time zones. Jet lag is a temporary sleep issue that occurs due to a disruption in the body's internal clock. It can cause minor agitation and fatigue. While in severe cases, it can lead to some serious health problems. In case you're avoiding to travel because of the fear that you might get jet-lagged, the following are some tips to help in preventing jet lag.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF JETLAG?
Our bodies have an internal clock that tells us when to sleep and when to wake up. It is because of this clock that we have a fixed routine. We wake up in the morning and sleep at night. But when a person travels to different time zones, this clock is disrupted, and thus sleep difficulty jumps in.
PREVENTING JET LAG:
The intensity of jet lag is higher in older people as compared to youngsters. Moreover, if you are a frequent traveler, there is a probability that you might get jet lag often. Although there are some tips on how you can prevent it.
KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED
Due to low water intake, dehydration can kick in that can worsen the jet lag symptoms. Therefore, try to drink as much water as you can both before and during the flight. It will keep you hydrated and ensure quality sleep as well.
REST A LOT!
You have plenty of packing stuff to do before traveling. But, being already exhausted before the flight can cause additional troubles. These include agitation, restlessness, sleep difficulty and jet lag, etc. Know that it's important for you to take a lot of rest before traveling to prevent jet lag. Find some time for yourself and revitalize your body and mind before a hectic travel trip.
ADJUST YOUR SCHEDULE
Try to adjust your tour in such a way that you have a few days to rest after you’ve landed. Attending the meeting and continual work immediately after traveling over long distances can cause jet lag and other health problems.
TRY TO SLEEP DURING FLIGHT
If it’s nighttime during your flight, try to sleep. Even if you can’t sleep, try to close your eyes and relax. This will help prevent disruption in the body’s internal clock. Thus, avoiding jet lag.
CAFFEINE, SODA, ALCOHOL = NO!
Increased alcohol consumption and caffeine intake can also make you dehydrated. Resultantly, jet lag jumps in. Hence, focus on water intake rather than caffeinated drinks or alcohol.
COMFORT IS CRUCIAL
We all know that the airplane’s seats are not comfortable enough to sit on for many hours. Change yourself into comfy clothes, keep a neck pillow, a comfy portable blanket, noise-canceling headphones, and an eye mask with you. It will help you snooze cozily.
SUPPLEMENTS- A SAVIOR IN WORST CASES
Though dependency on medicines is not advisable usually. Melatonin is a hormone in the brain that induces sleep at night. Due to traveling frequently, disruptions in melatonin production occurs. Which resultantly causes an inability to sleep and worsens the jet lag symptoms. In such cases, consult the doctor regarding the dose of melatonin to avoid difficulty.
LIGHT FOODS INTAKE:
In case you are wondering that food-intake has nothing to do with jet lag, you’re wrong! Carbs and calorie-filled food consumption can leave you lethargic and agitated. It can lead to health problems like indigestion that in-turn causes issues like the inability to sleep. It consequently intensifies jet lag. Therefore, focus more on taking protein-filled foods, broth, salads, boiled meat, soups, etc.
EXPOSURE TO DAYLIGHT
If you have landed in a place and there is daytime, make sure you stay awake until it is nighttime. Expose yourself to daylight. Keep yourself engaged to avoid random napping. Resultantly, you will be able to fall asleep at night properly.
The intensity of jet lag might vary from person to person. However, in some cases, it can lead to a severe inability to sleep and associated health problems. If you are a frequent traveler, the previously-mentioned are some tips to help you in preventing jet lag. Following them will minimize the intensity and frequency of jet lag. Thus, making traveling a pleasant experience.
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