Jet lag is also called desynchronosis and flight fatigue. It is a short-term disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms because of air travel across multiple time zones. This circadian rhythm sleep disorder is a disruption of the internal circadian clock.

What are the common symptoms of jet lag?

In addition to travel fatigue and insomnia, a person may experience a number of physical and emotional symptoms while suffering from jet lag. This may involve anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, confusion, dehydration, headache, irritability, nausea, indigestion, difficulty concentrating, sweating, coordination problems, dizziness during the day, and even memory loss. Some people report additional symptoms, including irregular heartbeat and increased susceptibility to the disease.

What is the cause of jet lag?

Jet lag is caused by the inability of a traveler’s body to adjust to the time in a different area instantly. Therefore, when an individual from New York arrives in Paris at midnight, his body continues to operate at New York time. As the body is unable to cope with the new schedule, temporary insomnia, fatigue, irritability, and an impaired ability to concentrate may develop. Because of the change in bathroom schedules, people experience constipation or diarrhea, and the brain can become confused and disoriented when trying to juggle schedules.

What are the risk factors for jet lag?

Traveling through different times zones causes jet lag. However, there are some risk factors that can cause symptoms to be more severe or longer-lasting.

• Travel through three or more time zones – Most people can easily adapt to one or two time zone changes. However, three or more can cause more noticeable jet lag symptoms.
• Flying East – As noted above, traveling from west to east makes travelers “lose” time, and this can be a more difficult adjustment.
• Age – Older adults recover from jet lag more slowly.
• Frequent Travel – Pilots, flight attendants, and frequent business travelers who are constantly in different time zones may have difficulty adjusting.
• Pre-existing Conditions – Pre-existing sleep deprivation, stress, and poor sleep habits before travel can cause jet lag symptoms.
• Flight conditions – The monotony of travel, immobility, narrow seats, airline food, altitude, and cabin pressure contribute to experiencing jet lag.
• Dehydration – The extremely dry cabin environment, which is 15-20% of humidity, is one of the major factors that cause dehydration during flying.
• Alcohol use – Excessive alcohol consumption can also worsen jet lag symptoms.

How to prevent jet lag?

Many remedies can help you prevent jet lag and easily recover from its symptoms. Here, we have mentioned a few tips that can assist travelers in avoiding or minimizing the effects of jet lag.

Tip 1: Stay fit

Long before you board, continue to exercise, eat well, and get plenty of rest. An individual’s physical endurance and conditioning will allow him to cope better after landing. In case you are not physically fit or have a poor diet, start maintaining healthy food habits several weeks before your trip.

Tip 2: Consume jet lag prevention tablets

Many online sellers, like Uppy!, offer jet lag prevention tablets. Most of these small effervescent tablets consist of electrolytes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for natural energy, recovery, and wellness. These are very helpful in supporting body rehydration, circulation, and the immune system, along with reducing tiredness.

Tip 3: Get medical advice

For those who have a medical condition that demands strict monitoring (such as diabetes or heart disease), it is recommended to consult a doctor before departure. This helps in planning a coping strategy that includes medication schedules and doctor appointments, if needed, in the time zone of the destination.

Tip 4: Drink water

Drink plenty of water, especially during the flight. This counteracts the effects of the dry atmosphere inside the plane. Take your own extra water on board the plane if allowed. There are some jet lag prevention tablets in the market that also works as water multiplier, as Uppy!.

Tip 5: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

While boarding on a flight, how you feel is more important than how you look. Therefore, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Avoid items that pinch, restrict, or rub. When selecting your travel outfit, consider the weather in your destination time zone.

In a nutshell,

Traveling is exciting and enjoyable for most of us. Seeing new places, taking part in local activities, and trying different foods, make your life adventurous. But, the only thing that isn’t so fun about traveling is jet lag. If you’re planning to travel a far distance and through various time zones, make sure to consider all the points mentioned above to have an enjoyable flight!