“Body clock” is a twenty-four-hour rhythm of physiological processes of all living beings including animals, and plants. Jet lag is a condition resulting from alteration of this rhythm in a short period of time. When a person travels across a number of time zones in a day, the body processes which are conditioned by daylight and darkness cannot adjust quickly enough for the destination conditions. A person’s body-clock gets disoriented and is what we call jet-lag.
This disorientation can cause a person to be irritable, forgetful and tends to lose their concentration easily. The person may suffer from mild depression, disturbed sleep pattern and loss of appetite. Occasionally the person may suffer from dehydration and develop swollen or uncomfortable feet.
You can become jet lagged when you travel across one or more time zones, not simply because you have spent more time on journey or you have traveled a long distance. A journey from Frankfurt to New York may cause jet lag because it goes across multiple time zones. And yet jet lag is not experienced after a journey from Frankfurt to Johannesburg because it is within the same time zone. Long journeys within the same time zones may give you cramps but not jet lag.
Of course not everyone gets jet lagged to the same extent. Generally older persons are found to suffer less from jet lag as compared to younger ones. Moreover, it is found that women in the reproductive age group are more susceptible to suffer from jet lag. It depends to a large extent on the personal physiological adjustability of each individual person. People who know they normally get jet lagged can take some precautions to avoid severity of discomfort from jet lag.
Try to start the journey in a relaxed frame of mind and avoid rushing around. A good night’s sleep on the day prior to the journey is helpful. During the flight take alcohol in moderation and drink plenty of water. Some light exercises such as stretching and walking up and down the aisle helps. Take off your shoes, wiggle the toes, stretch your legs and this will avoid swelling of the feet.
Some people suggest taking sleeping pills to get over jet lag; but be advised that it may cause rather unpleasant consequences. There are many “anti jet lag” preparations on market but you should observe caution before using them. Anti jet lag diets are available; but apart from their doubtful efficacy, following such a diet for a few days before and after journey strictly could be quite cumbersome. There is an OTC (over the counter) homeopathic drug available which is said to be effective; being homeopathic medicine it may be free of side effects.
Drugs such as Melatonin are advertised as an anti jet lag drug; but you have to start taking it at specific times a few days prior to the journey and continue taking it for a few days after completion of the journey. Its anti jet lag claims are not really supported by research. On the contrary it may lead to worsening of the jet lag symptoms. In fact in UK Melatonin is banned altogether.
In some cases the jet lag condition may persist for many days. Experts suggest that the recovery rate that you can expect from jet lag is “one day per time zone.” Sleep well, eat a sensible diet, relax, and get some moderate exercise are the simplest cures for rapid recovery. How fun does this sound? A vacation is supposed to be a respite from all those “sensible” things. Try to whoop it up anyway. Bon Voyage!
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