What is jet lag?
Jet lag (desynchronosis) is a temporary condition experienced by some people when they travel across several times zone in a short period of time, when they fly.
Jet lag causes the internal body clock to get out of synch and produces a range of symptoms with varying intensity:
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Difficulty waking up (sleepiness)
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Headaches
Jet lag symptoms usually resolve within a week of reaching the destination, but some people find it takes them longer to get in sync with the local time.
Important jet lag facts
- Not everyone experiences jet lag and not to the same extent
- Jet lag seems to be more common when travelling over more than three time zones, but some people experience it just travelling one time zone
- Jet lag seems to be anecdotally worse when travelling in an eastern direction (time zones that are behind in time from the time zone that travel initiated) than to time zones that are in a western direction (time zones that are ahead in time from the time zone that travel initiated)
Why jet lag is important
There are several ways that jet lag can be minimised and your body clock can be re-set more quickly to the new time zone:
- Drink plenty of water during the flight
- Try to sleep on the plane if travelling at night, irrespective of whether it is still day-time in your orignal starting point
- Set your watch (laptop and other electronic equipment with time) to the new time zone
- Try really hard not to go to sleep until the evening at the new destination, irrespective of how tired you may feel
- Try really hard to wake up early in the morning in the new time zone destination – the sunshine will help to re-set your internal body clock to the new time zone
