What is jet lag?

This is the inability to sleep at the right time or being drowsy and sleepy at the wrong time – a mismatch between your biological clocks and the time zone you are in. Your body gets used to doing certain things within a 24-hour period like eating, working, sleeping etc. So, when you travel long distances at high speed, your body’s natural rhythm strays.

Symptoms

The possible symptoms of the jet lag are feeling tired, cranky, irritable, loss of appetite and problem with concentration. Here are some useful tips on how to avoid jet lag.

• Rest before you fly. Getting several days’ night sleep before you fly can make a big difference to how you feel when you arrive. Plan your going away party a week or more before you leave. Many travelers believe that by postponing sleep, you’ll get the chance to catch up on it during your flight. In reality you need that night’s sleep anyway, as you’ll be tired from the flight once you’re on it.
• Eat well. It is proven that by eating carbs the night before the flight increases your chance of going to sleep, thus softening the jet lag. On the plane it is also advisable to choose the option with a lot of carbs. Don’t go for sweets and chocolate as they won’t help you once you’re trying to sleep. It also advisable to avoid salty food like crisps and peanuts as they can cause dehydration.
• Get on local time right away. As soon as you take your seat on the plane, change your watch to local time. The flight crew always announces the time at your destination. Don’t forget also to change time on your phone, tablet, laptop and any other devices you might have too. This will help you to get more time to adjust to the new time zone as soon as possible.
• Stay hydrated. It is important to drink plenty of fluids throughout your flight in order to stay hydrated, but remember to avoid caffeine and alcohol. It is ok to have one glass of wine with dinner, but try to limit it to just one. Alcohol and caffeine will both dehydrate you which is not good during your flight.