Even an exciting vacation can turn into an exhausting chore when jet lag becomes an issue. Crossing time zones quickly disrupts sleeping patterns and upsets the routines of even the most seasoned travellers. Learning a few tips and tricks to help prevent this hazard of traveling can make both business and fun trips a bit more pleasant, as well as easing the transition back into real life.
The body has a pattern called the circadian rhythm, which is the normal 24 hour cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Everyone is slightly different, but most people follow a somewhat regular schedule from day to day. Jet lag, also called desynchronosis, is the phenomenon that results when that rhythm is disturbed by travelling quickly across the country on a plane. It can takes several days to adjust to the change on the clock in the new location. A general guideline is to expect it to take one day per zone crossed for the body to fully adjust to the difference.
Whether the purpose of the trip is business or pleasure, avoiding desynchronosis is important to make the most of the journey. Struggling with the schedule can cause you to feel extreme sleepiness during the day while experiencing insomnia at night, as well as coping with hunger at inappropriate hours, all of which can hamper enjoyment of your vacation. Plan ahead to get comfortable as soon as possible. Before you go, gradually change the time you go to sleep to match your destination's clock. Stop drinking caffeine the day before departure in order to avoid anything that may disrupt sleep. Instead, drink water to be as hydrated as possible. Along the same lines, avoid alcohol in flight. It can encourage dehydration, which worsens the symptoms of desynchronosis. Lastly, if possible, arrange to take an overnight flight to arrive at your destination as well rested as possible.
Coping with a time change can shave a lot of fun off the first few days of vacation as your body struggles to get comfortable with a new routine. By taking the time to plan ahead and visualize what your day will look like at your destination, you can ease your transition into your trip and prevent a lot of the discomfort that comes along with the disruption to the circadian rhythm. Drink water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and change the time you go to sleep to match your destination in order to help your body meet the challenges presented by rapid air travel.