| Jetlag, also referred to as desynchronosis, is an | | | | good chance the symptoms will return. This can pose |
| unpleasant aspect of traveling but one which is | | | | a problem to an individual who either wants to visit a |
| ultimately unavoidable. Considering the amount of | | | | distant location for pleasure, or must for business. If |
| time zones worldwide, there is a good chance that | | | | the trip has to be taken, it is a good idea to add a |
| one will cross at least one time zone during their | | | | few days to the trip in order to adjust to the time |
| flight. Jetlag has been known to cause insomnia, | | | | changes. You will want to maintain a regular sleep |
| anxiety and nausea, but the most common | | | | schedule so that your body will have a chance to |
| symptoms are feelings of disorientation, grogginess | | | | adjust to its new schedule. Constant changes will |
| and fatigue. Jetlag can last for the duration of the | | | | prolong the adjustment. You may want to save |
| trip, or for several days after you have returned. | | | | certain activities until the end on your trip so that |
| Although jetlag affects millions of individuals | | | | you will have had time to adjust. That way you can |
| worldwide, there are techniques which can minimize | | | | enjoy the full experience or be ready for an |
| its impact. The first step is to understand why the | | | | important meeting without the symptoms of jetlag. |
| body is affected by jetlag. With this knowledge, | | | | How to Lessen the Effects of Jetlag |
| individuals who take flights will be better prepared to | | | | Besides adding extra days to your itinerary so you |
| cope with the symptoms jetlag brings on. | | | | can adjust in time for the main part of your trip, |
| Why the Body is Affected by Jetlag | | | | there are other, more practical ways to cope with |
| Jetlag is experienced by travelers because the body | | | | jetlag. You can start making changes to your sleep |
| cannot properly adapt to a different time zone. Some | | | | schedule before you go on vacation so that each |
| individuals have more pronounced symptoms of jetlag | | | | night you are sleeping closer to the time that you will |
| than others. As a result of a long flight across multiple | | | | be sleeping on your vacation. With less of an |
| time zones, the confusion the body experiences due | | | | adjustment left to make by the time you arrive, you |
| to jetlag stems from two main differences: one, | | | | will experience less jetlag symptoms. Also, this may |
| differences in the schedules of bodily functions such | | | | seem obvious, but you do not want to have caffeine |
| as appetite, rest and thirst, and two, differences in | | | | for three or four hours before you plan to go to |
| the body's access to light and darkness. Younger | | | | sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant and can interfere with |
| people tend to adjust better and more quickly to the | | | | your sleep cycle. |
| change in time zone, but, again, it all depends on the | | | | Exercise is essential as well. Everyone knows that |
| individual. Still, some young people experience jetlag | | | | staying in shape has a multitude of benefits. One |
| while some older individuals may not be affected as | | | | such benefit is that the stamina gained from |
| much. | | | | exercising can help you deal with jetlag. The better |
| Jetlag interferes with normal circadian rhythms. This is | | | | shape you are in, the more resilient your body will be |
| a fancy way of referring to your internal clock that | | | | when it is thrown off schedule by traversing multiple |
| wants to be awake when it is light out and sleep | | | | time zones. However, it is a good idea to refrain |
| when it is dark out. Any adjustment to your circadian | | | | from intense exercise before bedtime. This can |
| rhythm will have an adjustment period. Getting out in | | | | interfere with your sleep as much as caffeine. |
| the sunlight can help you to reset your circadian | | | | Consuming alcoholic beverages a few hours before |
| rhythms. Your body takes its cues from the cycles | | | | sleep can heighten the effects of jetlag as well. |
| of light and dark so give it the appropriate cues. The | | | | Alcohol causes dehydration, can amplify the need for |
| sooner your body is exposed to the new light and | | | | sleep, and can cause an upset stomach as well. For |
| dark schedule, the sooner it will adjust to the new | | | | these reasons, alcoholic drinks should be avoided |
| time zone. | | | | before during or after a flight. By doing this the |
| Jetlag also occurs due to an imbalance in the | | | | effects of jetlag can be marginalized. |
| hypothalamus. Ordinarily, the hypothalamus maintains | | | | Jetlag is a fact of life for travelers, but there are |
| a balance of glucose and hormonal levels, as well as | | | | ways to lessen its effects. By giving your body |
| body temperature and blood pressure. The | | | | plenty of sunlight, staying in shape and avoiding |
| hypothalamus can be thrown off balance by drastic | | | | caffeine and alcoholic drinks, you can minimize the |
| changes in light and darkness brought on by a sudden | | | | effect of jetlag on your vacation or business trip. |
| shift in time zones. As the eyes do not receive an | | | | Knowing that you can do something about jetlag will |
| anticipated amount of light, the brain transmits a | | | | help you sleep well at night, and make you better |
| signal to the hypothalamus that is off schedule with | | | | prepared to cope with the effects of jetlag on your |
| its normal functions. | | | | next trip. |
| If jetlag has affected you in the past, there is a | | | | |