7 ways to cope with jet lag

Have you traveled across different time zones lately and you are again trying to cope with the symptoms of a jet lag ranging from disturbed sleep patterns to anxiety, constipation,diarrhea, confusion, dehydration, headache, irritability, nausea, sweating, coordination problems, dizziness, and even memory loss? Fortunately there are some ways to reduce those symptoms and enjoy more your travels. What is jet lag?Jet lag means disturbed sleep patterns, weakness and disorientation caused by travelling. It happens when your normal body clock is disrupted by travelling through several time zones. It is temporary and considered to be a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, which is a disruption of the internal body clock. The cause of jet lag is the inability of the body of a traveler to immediately adjust to the time in a different zone. Jet lag is worse when you move from west to east because the body finds it harder to adapt to a shorter day than a longer one. It is recommended that travelers who take medication according to a strict timetable (such as insulin) to seek medical advice from a health professional before their journey. ...

(1) Change your sleep routine: Start getting up and going to bed earlier (if you're travelling east) or later (if you're travelling west) may help. During the flight, it is recommended to eat and sleep according to your destination's local time.

(2) Stay hydrated: Dehydration can intensify the effects of jet lag, especially after sitting in the plane for many hours.

(3) Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Do not drink alcoholic beverages and coffee the day before your flight, during your flight, or the day after your flight. These beverages can cause dehydration, trigger nausea, general discomfort and anxiety.

(4) Expose yourself to natural light: Exposure to daylight at the destination will usually help you adapt to the new time zone faster.

(5) Stay in shape: Long before you embark, exercise, eat well and get plenty of rest. Your shape and stamina will enable you to cope better after you land.

(6) Move around on the plane: While seated during your flight, exercise your legs from time to time. Move them up and down and back and forth. Bend your knees. Stand up and sit down. Every hour or two, get up and walk around.

(7) Wear comfortable shoes and clothes: On a long trip, it is important to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. When selecting your trip outfit, keep in mind the climate in your destination time zone. Dress for your destination. ...