Jet Lag Isn't Just for Frequent Fliers
By Joan Westlake
No doubt you have experienced the effects of jet lag — feeling tired and sleepy during the day or having a range of other symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, inability to sleep soundly, difficulty concentrating, nausea and impaired judgment.
Jet lag symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the number of time zones you cross and your sensitivity to such changes. The more time zones you cross, the more likely that your body rhythms will be disrupted, which can lead to more severe symptoms. Because the disruption in the sleep-wake cycle affects your body's hormone levels, many body processes can be thrown off balance.
Dr. James B. Maas, author of Power Sleep, offers some tips to prevent or lessen the effects of jet lag:
- Have a plan to preset your biological clock five days before your trip.
- If flying east, go to bed and wake up earlier each day. If going west, stay up and get up later.
- Select an early-morning departure, but avoid red-eye flights. Begin following the eating and sleep patterns of your destination during the flight. Drink lots of fluids and avoid alcohol.
- Exercise. Even a brisk walk will raise your endorphin levels and help stabilize hormones.
- Get outside in the sunlight as soon as possible. Daylight is a potent antidote for jet lag.
- If you’re making more than a five-hour time shift, delay any business decision or sports activity for at least one day. Otherwise, you’re certain to lose to the competition.
