Jet Lag - You can Suffer From It...Or You Can Do What This
International Airline Captain Does
Whatever the reason for your travel, you have made a
considerable investment. It costs you time and money. If you're
stuck in a hotel room suffering from jet lag symptoms, you're
missing out.
Obviously, you'd like to make the most of your trip. You will
get the greatest return on your investment if you're out of your
hotel room enjoying your destination. I can help you achieve
this.
"What Is Jet Lag?"
In simple terms, jet lag is the disruption of your body's
internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This clock sets your
sleeping and waking times. It is complex and sensitive. Flying
east or west messes it up. That's because you cross time zones
much faster than your body can adjust.
What are common jet lag symptoms? They include:
* Headache * Disorientation * Anxiety * Exhaustion *
Indigestion * Dehydration * Impaired Coordination
Obviously, these things could ruin your trip. Following these
guidelines will reduce your jet lag symptoms and let you enjoy
your trip even more.
I'll break this discussion into three sections:
* Before Your Trip * During Your Flight * At Your Destination
A. Help Prevent Jet Lag Before You Leave Home
1. Get Plenty Of Sleep. NASA found that getting as much sleep as
possible beginning two days before your trip is significant in
minimizing jet lag symptoms.
2. Reduce Your Stress. All that running around can make you more
stressed.
3. Exercise. If you exercise regularly, make it a priority to
keep that routine just before you travel. Also, continue it at
your destination.
B. Things You Can Do During Your Flight To Reduce Jet Lag
1. Arrive Early At The Airport. Not rushing to make your flight
will help reduce stress and make you more relaxed. That way
you'll rest better on the plane.
2. Begin Adjusting To The New Time Zone And Schedule. When you
get on the plane, set your watch to your destination's time.
Then think about when you'll eat and sleep there. Try to begin
eating and sleeping at those times.
3. Sleep As Much As You Can On the Plane. This is a key factor
in reducing jet lag.
4. Wear Comfortable clothing. Comfortable clothes, warm socks
and a sweater will enable you to sleep better.
5. Drink Plenty of Water. Not soda, not alcohol, not caffeine,
but water.
6. Get Up and Stretch Frequently.
7. Use a Footrest. The first and business class seats have
these, but even in coach, you can benefit from using a footrest.
Use a carry-on bag or travel foot rest.
8. Loosen Your Shoes.
9. Pills and Supplements. In a word...
Don't.
My complete jet lag article at
http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/jet-lag.html has a
detailed discussion about the dangers of pills and supplements
for jet lag.
C. Adjusting At Your Destination
1. Try To Eat On The New Schedule. This helps your body clock
adjust to minimize your jet lag symptoms.
2. Try To Sleep On The New Schedule. This is often easier said
than done. There is a full discussion about sleep adjustment and
napping at www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/jet-lag.html
I have also written extensively about how to sleep better in any
hotel room.You can learn all those sleep tips by visiting:
www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/sleep-tips.html
3.Exercise. This is also among the important jet lag remedies.
If you have a regular exercise routine, you'll want to continue
it now.
4. Get out in the Sunlight. This is simple to accomplish as long
as you have a sunny day.
Studies have shown that exposure to bright light helps shift the
circadian rhythms (body clock), and therefore reduce the jet lag
symptoms.
That's just a brief overview. I highly recommend that you read
my complete jet lag article before you go on your next long
trip. You can find it at:
http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/jet-lag.html
Copyright 2005 by Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All rights reserved.