jet lag tips

Jet Lag - A Natural Approach

jet lag remedies

What is jet lag?

Simply put, jet lag is a very common sleep disorder suffered by millions of travelers daily. It affects both individuals traveling on business and for pleasure and, according to a recent survey of international business travelers, 3/4 of those questioned said that they frequently suffered from jet lag.

Jet lag affects people of all ages and, though it varies widely from one individual to another, it tends to increase in severity the older you are.

Further, if you are already experiencing sleeping problems, you could find that jet lag is more of a problem.

Jet lag also increases as you cross more and more time zones. If the difference in time between your point of departure and your destination is merely an hour or two, then you may not experience jet lag at all. However, if the difference in time is three hours or more then jet lag will start to appear and its effects will be more pronounced the bigger the time difference.

Finally, the symptoms of jet lag don't always appear straight away and, for a few individuals, it might well be two or three days before it hits.

Jet lag remedies

Jet lag is a symptom, or set of symptoms, rather than a specific condition or disease and, consequently, has no particular cure. The answer therefore lies in putting together a plan for the management of jet lag, allowing you to cut down its effects both in terms of time and severity.

However, before doing this we should consider a few of the commonly quoted 'cures' for jet lag and lay a few myths to rest.

• Diet.
  
  In spite of claims to the contrary, there's no scientific evidence that so called "jet lag diets" work and it is likely that any benefits claimed are strictly psychological - the placebo effect. Furthermore, "jet lag diets" are usually complex and tedious to follow.

• Sleeping Pills.
  
  The first port of call for most people with sleeping troubles is usually the bottle of sleeping pills and, while sleeping pills can be useful in certain circumstances, their use is not generally advised.
  
  The central problem with sleeping pills is that they are designed for short-term use to relieve particular sleeping problems and they do this by causing a 'false' state of sleep.
  
  In the case of jet lag you want to get your body back to its normal sleeping pattern as quickly and effortlessly as you can and taking sleeping pills will give you temporary relief, but will, in the last analysis, prolong your recovery.
  
  Having said this, if you are 'climbing the walls' and feel that you do need this short-term relief, then here are some guidelines to follow:

• Over the Counter Medication.
  
  Generally speaking, over the counter medication will do nothing to help in overcoming jet lag. This said, if you suffer from headaches in the course of the late afternoon or evening then taking Tylenol PM or Excedrin PM might well help. Both of these are forms of well known painkillers but also contain mild soporifics.

• Jet Lag Formulas.
  
  There are various 'over the counter' tablets meant specifically to cure jet lag. Despite this, there's no evidence to prove that these tablets do any good.
  
  The majority are made from a combination of amino acids and vitamins, or homeopathic preparations that are alleged to 'reset your biorhythms'. This claim however seems to have more to do with adroit marketing than with anything else.

• Melatonin.
  
  Melatonin remains somewhat controversial, not least as its use is yet to be approved by any regulatory body. Additionally, despite many studies carried out over a number of years, opinion is divided about whether or not it works.
  
  Several different studies have nevertheless produced encouraging results and it would seem that melatonin could well be of benefit to a significant number of users, making it worth a try. It is not however a cure in itself and should be taken as just one part of a jet lag management plan.

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