How to deal with jet lag while traveling?

How to deal with jet lag while traveling?

Simple and effective solutions to manage jet lag

Overcoming the effects of jet lag, also known as jet lag, is not an impossible task. Disturbance of sleep and digestion, anxiety and irritability… These are common discomforts that travelers who are victims of jet lag are most often confronted with. It is, in fact, a phenomenon that is manifested by a disruption of the biological clock. The more time zones you cross, the more your body suffers. In order to minimize the troubles created by jet lag, here are some prevention measures recommended by specialists.

 

Steps to take before departure

 

Getting used to the destination time zone beforehand can be a great exercise. Depending on your destination, you can bring the meal and rest times forward or delay them to match the new schedule.

For a long-haul flight, if you can afford it, it is best not to book economy class where there is little room to relax easily during the flight. This increases fatigue and does not promote adaptation to the new schedule.

The day before the trip, eat carbohydrate-rich foods (such as pasta), the consumption of which, according to some studies, promotes sleep.

Preventions against jetlag during the flight

 

To soak up the destination time, it is essential to change the time of your watch so that the brain gets used to the time change. Please note, if you are undergoing treatment for medical reasons, you will need to take note of the new schedules for taking your medication.

A priori, taking a sleeping pill is not a good solution to find sleep, because it will further disrupt the rhythm of your internal clock.

Alcohol and coffee, like all stimulating substances, are also not recommended.

To avoid digestive disorders and dehydration, eat light meals and drink plenty of water.

For better comfort, during the flight, put on comfortable clothes.

Special cases of trips to the East and to the West

 

The tips for dealing with jetlag differ depending on the destination and especially the direction of the passage of time zones.

 

Acclimatization is easier if you are traveling west, as you will follow the sun and your internal clock will be ahead of the local schedule. You will then have to delay the time of sleep, which is easier for the body than advancing the time of going to bed. You will therefore fall asleep more easily once you arrive at your destination, but you will probably wake up early in the morning. Normally, this effect can be countered quite simply by practicing a sport and exposure to light in the afternoon.

 

On the other hand, if the trip is to the East, you will have to endure a shorter day or night in your destination country. Your internal clock will be behind local time and you will have to put your sleep time forward. To deal with it, expose yourself to the sun and practice physical activity in the morning. In the afternoon you can put on sunglasses in order to psychologically "advance" the time of sleep. You can also take melatonin (the sleep hormone) , talk to your doctor.

 

In both cases, arriving at your destination in the evening will help you adjust to the new schedule.

 

Jet lag and business travel

 

If your trip abroad is of short duration, as is often the case with business trips, it will not be possible to acclimatize to the local environment. Avoid organizing meetings that correspond to the night for your organization, otherwise you risk a loss of concentration and a lack of vigilance.

 

If possible, try to leave a day in advance so that you at least acclimatize a little and can be effective more quickly.

 

Feel free to add comments to share your experience and tips for dealing with jet lag.