Jetlag
Jetlag is the discomfort that most travelers experience especially after long distance flights and those that cross several time zones. Some symptoms include tiredness and irritability, swollen limbs, especially legs, red/dry eyes, disorientation or irregular sleep patterns. They will vary by individual.
It is caused by the disruption of the timing of the biological functions in your body including when you sleep or eat. Darkness stimulates the release of the hormone melatonin which is produced by cells in the brain that control these functions. When you cross time zones your “body clock” is thrown out as your body experiences day and night at the “wrong” time. The chemical imbalance causes the symptoms.
The duration of the symptoms will depend on how far you have traveled, how many time zones you crossed, what your general health was going into the flight. Of course how well your particular body adapts to the new time zone will also be a impact duration.
There are a million remedies and ideas around managing jetlag. Just take a look at the counter at the pharmacy at an international airport!
Speak to your doctor and the travel medical specialist but what they will all tell you in common is:
- Fly west when you want the least impact from jetlag
- Treat your body well prior to departing – get plenty of exercise prior to traveling so you are physically tired (but not mentally tired) when you get on board
- Drinks lost of water on the flight
- Do not overeat on the flight
- Get up from your seat and move around as much as possible
- Minimise the consumption of alcohol (or better still do not drink it!)
- Try to get onto the new time zone as quickly as possible. On the flight is the best place to get started. Try to eat and sleep in the new time zone
- Leave for your trip with at least a full day at the other end to begin the process of assimilation. For example, if you are traveling from Sydney to London for a meeting on
Monday morning, leave on Saturday at the latest. - Do not go to sleep when you arrive unless it is the night time.
- Get out in the sun with no sunglasses when you arrive. Walk around the new city and get some exercise. Try to stay awake to move yourself into the new time zone as quickly as
possible. Your body’s receptor to the new time zone is through your eyes. - Stick to your regular exercise regime and if you do not have one, try to get out and do some exercise. It may start a new good habit!
