While you will not be able to avoid losing or gaining time when you fly between a series of different time zones, you can avoid the jet lag that usually goes with flying.
In simple terms jet lag is a physical condition that temporarily disrupts the body's biorhythms (or body clock). It is caused by travelling at high-speed, by air (usually in a jet-propelled aircraft) through several different time zones. In medical terms it is known as Circadian Desynchronosis, because it literally desynchronises the body's circadian rhythms that relate to the way the body responds to sleeping and waking during a 24 hour period.
Jet lag is characterised by a number of psychological and physiological symptoms including both fatigue and insomnia, various gastro-intestinal problems (for example either constipation or diarrhoea may occur), irritability and depression, and anxiety.
But you can minimise and even avoid jet lag completely. The following are five proven ways that you can prevent jet lag next time you fly.
Travel east to west
Jet lag is a lot less pronounced when you fly from east to west. It isn't much of an issue when you travel directly between north and south and vice versa. So if you are not able to fly more or less in the direction of the poles, see if you can take a flight that goes from east to west, instead of the other way around.
Make sure you are healthy
It may sound a little crazy, but if you are fit and in a good condition physically, you will cope with the stress of flying a lot better. Concentrate on eating correctly and shape up long before you are due to travel. If you are not feeling good, have a medical check-up. If you have any medical condition that needs regular monitoring, discuss medical schedules and so on with your doctor well in advance of your flight.
Make sure you are well rested
If you are tired because you have not stuck to a regular sleep schedule or have been partying a lot, you are much more likely to suffer from jet lag. If your flight is during the time you would normally sleep (most usually during the night), then sleep during the flight. If the flight is during the day, avoid sleeping during the flight if possible.
Adjust your sleeping
Adjust your sleeping schedule by a few hours several weeks before your departure. This entails either going to bed slightly earlier, or later, depending on the time zone you are travelling to. That way you will avoid a more radical adjustment when you arrive at your destination, and will go a long way towards preventing jet lag. If you can adjust gradually, for example by continuing the earlier/later ritual once you arrive, do so. Do the same before you are due to travel home.
Avoid alcohol
Don't drink alcohol the day before your flight or the day after your flight. You may feel that it will help you relax during the flight, but it is not a good idea. Apart from anything else, alcohol interferes with the body's ability to process oxygen, and it will slow down your body clock even more. Also avoid drinks with caffeine in them, including coffee, tea and energy drinks. Both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics and they will make you feel even more dehydrated than jet lag will make you feel. Drinking lots of water will help with avoiding jet lag.
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