About Jet Lag
- According to the Sleep Channel, some people experience jet lag when they fly across time zones during a short time span. Because the sun rises earlier or later, and sets earlier or later than what they are used to, people with jet lag find it difficult to sleep normally. As a result, travelers who experience jet lag can feel extremely tired one minute and excited the next, according to the Sleep Channel.
- Those with jet lag may also experience symptoms of insomnia, fatigue during the daytime, headaches, irritability, stomach aches and a lack of awareness, according to the Sleep Channel. Travelers tend to experience these symptoms because of the environment on an airplane, which can include low humidity, pressurization, and uncomfortable, cramped environments. In addition to these typical symptoms of jet lag, people may also experience dehydration, diarrhea, nausea, sweating, memory loss and problems with coordination, according to Medicinenet.
- According to Medicinenet, the direction that a traveler is flying affects how frequently people experience jet lag. For example, travelers who fly within the same time zone tend to experience jet lag symptoms less often than those who fly east and lose time due to changing time zones. Travelers who fly west tend to have an easier time getting used to those time zones because they gain time. Therefore they experience jet lag less often.
- According to Medicinenet, some of the best ways to deal with jet lag are to stay in shape, get medical advice, avoid caffeine and alcohol, drink water, move around on the plane and break up a trip with layovers.The website No Jet Lag also recommends getting a good night's sleep and traveling during the day, which tends to cause less jet lag.
- According to Sleep Channel, there isn't a treatment for jet lag but one of the best ways to deal with it is to try to adapt to the new time zone you traveled to as soon as possible. Sleeping as soon as you arrive to your destination is a good way to counter jet lag, as well as maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding the use of nicotine.