Folks who’ve had a long-haul flight to faraway countries must be aware of the feeling that follows. While your body is already exhausted, the blurred sense of time zones just adds to the fatigue. It’s called experiencing jet lag.
If you’re planning to take a long air travel for the first time, this blog is a must-read for you!
Here you will know more about jet lag meaning, why it happens, and ways to manage its symptoms in order to keep up with your itinerary smoothly.
What is Jet Lag Meaning?
Jet lag is a physiological condition that happens when your body is out of sync with its natural circadian rhythm or sleep cycle after long air travel to a new time zone.
The time difference hits hard when you cross two or more time zones in a short time, i.e. east to west or west to east.
To understand the meaning of jet lag better, suppose that you fly at 6 am from New York to Tokyo. When you land after 14 hours, you think it’s dinner time, but in Japan, it’s somewhere around 7 am, time for breakfast!
This time zone mismatch is what gives you zet lag and throws your body’s sleep-wake cycle out of balance, turning your dream trip into a blur of yawns and hunger pangs at midnight.
Jet Lag Symptoms
Since circadian rhythm is crucially responsible for regulating alertness, hormone release, hunger, and especially sleep, jet lag can unleash a range of symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up in the morning
- Feeling physically drained all day
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
- Mood swings, irritability, sadness, or even mild anxiety
- Digestive issues, constipation, or loss of appetite
The symptoms of jet lag vary in intensity depending on how many time zones you cross, your age, and your general health, along with the weather conditions of the new place.
Another frequently asked question is, “How long does jet lag last?”
Well, some people bounce back quickly, while others take longer to adjust to the new local time zone. As per NCBI, the effects of jet dissolve over 4 to 6 days but may take longer for some.
Now that the jet lag meaning, causes, and symptoms are clear, check out the next section to find out how to overcome jet lag.
Read More: Sleep Paralysis Causes: What’s Really Behind the Nightmare?
How to Get Rid of Jet Lag?
There are a number of effective ways to help you acclimate to the sudden time shift. Trying these jet lag treatment options for quicker recovery:
Get Light Exposure:
Exposing yourself to natural sunlight is the most natural and easiest way to reset your circadian rhythm. Try spending time outside instead of staying locked inside the hotel rooms.
Shift Your Schedule Before You Fly:
Estimate your arrival time to the new time zone. If you’re travelling east, try to go to bed an hour earlier each night for a few days before your trip. For westward travel, stay up a little later.
Take Melatonin Supplements:
These are natural sleep enhancers that can trick your body into producing melatonin for a restful sleep and no next-day drowsiness.
Maintain Sleep Hygiene:
To promote natural sleep, create a calm, dark environment at bedtime. Avoid screens and caffeine before sleeping, especially soon after travelling.
Take Short Naps:
Recharge yourself with power naps of 20 to 30 minutes to avoid daytime lethargy.
| Smart Tip: Here’s a clever idea on how to avoid jet lag to some extent. Take overnight flights and sleep on the plane so you wake up around your local morning time. |
In A Nutshell
Jet lag can affect your body’s natural day-night cycle and lead to sleep issues, mood swings, digestive problems, fatigue, and confusion. While there are no answers for how to avoid jet lag altogether, you can definitely reduce it with natural light exposure, melatonin supplementation, and short naps. With these tips, you can make your overseas stay enjoyable and less stressful!
