Avoiding Jetlag
Our world is divided up into several different time zones, and when you travel by plane you often cross over a number of different zones. Many travellers experience jet lag when flying for long periods of time, as their body clocks are disrupted in the process. Flying in a westward direction is often easier than travelling to the east, as your body typically adapts better to the process of elongating the day. When you fly to the west, you typically add hours to the day, and most travellers find it easier to delay sleep for a few hours to get their body clocks in sync. Flying eastwards will shorten your day, and many of us would find it hard to force ourselves to go to sleep. Symptoms of jet lag vary, but can include altered bowel habit, insomnia, tiredness and irritability.
Some people tend to be more susceptible to jetlag than others, and there are many tips that you can use to try to avoid it. If you know that you will be flying in a couple of days, you can try to change your sleeping patterns ever so slightly. If you are travelling to the east, you can try to go to bed earlier, and if you are travelling to the west, you can make an effort to go to bed later. Once on the flight, it would be a good idea to change the time on your watch to the time of the destination to give yourself some time to get used to the new time zone.
On the flight, you will want to ensure that you remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the trip. Avoid coffee and tea if possible, as this will only contribute to dehydration. Try to maintain your circulation, which you can do by walking around or doing some leg stretches. Upon arrival at your destination, you should make sure that you either go to bed or stay up depending on your new time zone. Try to get straight into the routine, as this will make jetlag disappear much quicker.
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