remedy for jet lag

Jet Lag - A Natural Approach

jet lag remedies

What is jet lag?

Simply put, jet lag is a common sleep disorder endured by many millions of travelers every day. It affects both those traveling on business and for pleasure and, in a recent survey of international business travelers, 74% of those questioned said that they often suffered from jet lag.

Jet lag affects individuals of all ages and, although it varies widely from one person to another, it tends to become more severe the older you are.

Also, if you already have difficulty sleeping, you could well 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 might not experience jet lag at all. However, if the time difference is three hours or more then jet lag will begin to appear and its effects will become more and more pronounced the larger the time difference.

Finally, jet lag symptoms do not always appear immediately and, for a few people, it could well be two or three days before it hits.

Jet lag remedies

Jet lag is a set of symptoms, rather than a specific condition or disease and, hence, has no specific cure. The secret to finding a remedy lies in putting together a management plan for jet lag, permitting you to cut down its effects both in terms of time and severity.

Before doing this however we should examine a few of the usually quoted 'cures' for jet lag and lay a few myths to rest.

• Diet.
  
  Notwithstanding claims to the contrary, no scientific evidence exists to show that "jet lag diets" work and it's likely that any benefits claimed are only psychological - the placebo effect. Additionally, "jet lag diets" are typically complex and tedious to follow.

• Over the Counter Medication.
  
  As a genral rule, over the counter medication will do nothing to help in overcoming jet lag. This said, if you find yourself suffering from headaches during the late afternoon or evening then using Tylenol PM or Excedrin PM might help. These are both forms of well known painkillers but also contain mild soporifics.

• Jet Lag Formulas.
  
  You can purchase several different 'over the counter' tablets designed specifically to deal with jet lag. Nonetheless, there is no evidence to indicate that any of these tablets do any good.
  
  The majority are based upon a mixture of vitamins and amino acids, or homeopathic preparations that are alleged to 'reset your biorhythms'. This claim however would seem to have more to do with adroit marketing than with anything else.

• Sleeping Pills.
  
  The first port of call for most people with sleeping troubles is frequently the bottle of sleeping pills and, while sleeping pills can be very useful in certain circumstances, their use is not generally advised.
  
  The greatest problem with sleeping pills is that they are designed for short-term use to meet particular sleeping difficulties and they do this by creating a 'false' state of sleep.
  
  In the case of jet lag you want to return your body to its normal sleeping pattern as quickly and effortlessly as possible and the use of sleeping pills will give you temporary relief, but will, ultimately, delay your recovery.
  
  Having said this, if you are 'climbing the walls' and decide that you do need this temporary relief, then here are just some guidelines to follow:

• Melatonin.
  
  The use of melatonin is somewhat controversial, not least because its use has yet to be approved by any regulatory body. Furthermore, despite many studies carried out over several years, opinion remains divided about whether it actually works or not.
  
  A variety of studies have nevertheless produced encouraging results and it seems that melatonin could be of benefit to a number of users, making it worth a try. It is not however a remedy in itself and should be taken as just part of an overall jet lag management plan.

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