There is only one cure for jet lag.
by Mary Jo Plouf
Jet lag is not one, but a combination of maladies. The symptoms, which include insomnia, fatigue, irritability and loss of appetite are experienced by all but a few of those traveling on international flights. Symptoms are especially severe for those traveling west to east and minimal for those flying north to south. No one has been able to explain why a few lucky souls seem to be immune to this debilitating affliction.
The causes of jet lag seem to be threefold. First and foremost is the inability of the body to adjust to the change in circadian rhythms. This explains the severity of symptoms when flying west to east because the time changes involved often cause us to lose an entire sleep or awake cycle.
A second contributory cause is physical exhaustion prior to boarding your aircraft. Many travelers become caught up in extensive shopping expeditions, numerous farewell parties and frantic last minute packing. This, added to the third cause, mental exhaustion brought about by fear of flying, leaving family or general insecurity when traveling abroad, add up to zero tolerance for additional stress of any kind.
There is no cure for jet lag. That is the bad news. However, there are a number of "theories" on how to alleviate the symptoms. All of these remedies work to some extent and can be utilized either singly or in combination to make your first days abroad more enjoyable. A little pre-planning will help you choose which remedies fit in best with your lifestyle and your general health.
There are a few things upon which all the experts seem to agree. At least they agree that these precautions will not hurt you and may possibly help. Try to be as rested as possible before you leave on a long flight. If possible, try to consider the day before you leave as the first day of your trip. Finish your packing and partying early and spend the last day pampering yourself. Read, relax, go for a long walk, soak in the tub and go to bed early. Drink extra water and eat lightly. On the actual day you are to leave get up a little early and leave plenty of time to get to the airport. Recheck your travel documents before leaving the house to relieve any last minute anxiety.
Once you are aboard the aircraft there are a number of options. Remember, you have approximately seven hours flying time when flying to European destinations and some of that time should be allocated to sleeping or at least resting. Airline services can severely cut into that time especially since breakfast call may be several hours before actual landing. It may help to set your watch immediately for your destination time. Then when you look at your watch and it is 3am instead of 7pm it may be easier to forgo the movie and settle instead for a blanket and pillow (possibly ear-plugs and eye shades) and settle down for a few hours of shut eye like most Europeans are doing at that hour.
As for alcohol, coffee or sleeping pills, moderation seems to be the key. Most experienced travelers agree, a glass of wine or a scotch and soda may help you relax and can certainly be enjoyable. However, don't forget alcohol is actually a depressant and taken in excess makes sleep more difficult. Don't arrive with jet lag and a hangover. It's best to skip coffee unless you really can't do without it. Sleeping pills should be taken only early in the flight and then only in mild doses that do not leave you with a groggy morning-after drowsiness. Consult your physician or pharmacist for which preparations are best. Never take a sleeping pill after the movie in hopes of catching a quick nap, chances are you will wake up (reluctantly) feeling terrible.
Many experienced travelers swear by the over-the-counter drug, Melatonin. The recommended dosage is one 5 milligram tablet while in-flight and one for the next two days. This is to be used instead of, never in combination with sleeping pills. A good night's rest will certainly help you function more normally the day of arrival, but it will not alleviate jet lag completely.
When all else fails, there is one final solution and therein lies the "cure." Book your flight so that you arrive at your destination twenty-four to forty-eight hours prior to the time you have to meet anyone or do anything. Jet lag, like the common cold and the flu, improves with time -- usually one or two days and you will be back to normal. Most tour companies will help with hotel reservations and actually encourage you to arrive a day or two early for scheduled tours. Besides being well rested before you begin moving around, you will have ample time to explore the city where you are staying.
For questions and comments about Worldtravelcenter.com, its World Travel Health newsletter, or its travel companion jetStream, contact Laura Bauer:
laura@worldtravelcenter.com
Phone: 1-800-234-1862
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