“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.
A jet lagged person can become depressive, irritable and finds it difficult to concentrate. His sleep pattern may get disturbed; he may lose appetite and at times may feel dehydrated. Condition of swollen feet may also develop.
Jet lag is not caused by the actual time in the air spent but crossing time zones. A journey from Frankfurt to New York is likely to cause jet lag but a journey from Frankfurt to Johannesburg will not. These two cities, Frankfurt and Johannesburg, lie within the same time zone. The length of time in an airplane is sure to cause discomfiture mostly because you are sitting in a little seat in the same cramped position for a long time but not necessarily jet lag.
Jet lag does not affect all people all the time nor is its severity. The elderly seem to suffer much less from jet lag as compared to the younger ones. Also it seems to affect women of reproducing age group more often. It depends upon a person’s physiological adjustability. If you know you are prone to suffer from jet lag here are some of the precautions you can take that will cut down on the severity.
Before the airplane ride try to be relaxed and avoid any extra mental stress. Having a good night’s sleep before starting on the journey is essential. On the aircraft drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. Do not drink too much alcohol. While in the air walk up and down the aisle a few times. Do a little stretching exercise. If you can manage. To avoid swelling of feet, remove your shoes and stretch your legs and wiggle your toes.
Many “anti jet lag” preparations are available on market; act on them with extreme caution. Some people suggest taking sleeping pills to get over jet lag; this may, however, have rather unpleasant consequences. Anti jet lag diets are available on the market; but efficacy apart, it is not a very practical solution; it is so cumbersome to carry diet around. An OTC (over the counter) homeopathic drug which said to be effective and it is free of side effects.
Melatonin is an anti jet lag drug available OTC except in places such as UK where it has been completely banned. You have to start taking it at specific times for a number of days starting with a few days prior to the journey. Its anti jet lag claims, however, are not really supported by research and on the contrary it may lead to worsening of the jet lag symptoms. In UK it has been banned.
A jet lagged condition may carry on for many days. Recovery from jet lag at the rate of “one day per time zone” is considered quite reasonable. The easiest methods for rapid recovery are relaxation, good sleep, sensible diet and moderate exercise. No fun at all for a vacation. This is what you have to do at home. Give it go anyway and attempt to have fun. Bon voyage!
