{"id":2476,"date":"2020-04-03T13:10:19","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T13:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelwithanda.com\/?p=2476"},"modified":"2020-04-03T13:13:13","modified_gmt":"2020-04-03T13:13:13","slug":"avoid-jet-lag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelwithanda.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/03\/avoid-jet-lag\/","title":{"rendered":"How to avoid jet lag?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are a frequent traveller you have probably heard of jet lag<\/strong>. Most of the people who travel across the globe have problems with adapting to different time zones. Siting on that uncomfortable aircraft chair for 10 hours or more is exhausting enough. On top of that you are usually stuck in airports with short or long layovers. As if that wasn\u2019t enough, in the end you land into a huge time difference, so there is a good chance you\u2019ll reach your final destination exhausted and drained. How can you fall asleep normally after a long flight? How to deal with jet lag that follows the next day? Or better yet, how to avoid jet lag?<\/strong> Let\u2019s see if my tips can help you!<\/p>\n

Symptoms of jet lag <\/strong><\/h5>\n

In case you\u2019re still not sure what I am talking about, let me describe jet lag in a few words. The symptoms are similar to hangover<\/strong>: tiredness, dehydration, bad concentration, irritability etc. What is worse with jet lag is not being able to sleep during night time and drowsiness during daytime. No surprise there, since the brains work on \u201chome clock\u201d and sometimes need a few days to adapt.<\/p>\n

Melatonin \u2013 the troublemaker<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The main reason for problems with insomnia during the night and fatigue during the day is melatonin. <\/strong>Melatonin is also known as a sleep hormone<\/strong> or a hormone of darkness<\/strong> because its secretion in the body starts as soon as darkness falls. It is primarily released by the pineal gland and the darker it gets outside the more melatonin is produced by our brain. Natural concentration of melatonin reaches its peak between 2 and 4 AM.<\/p>\n

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Melatonin is also connected to our circadian rhythm, a 24-hour \u201cinternal clock\u201d<\/strong> that regulates our sleep-wake cycle (and many other processes in the human body). When travelling to a different time zone, secretion of melatonin can be disturbed, as our body just doesn\u2019t understand that is time to slow down (or to go to bed). Depends on which part of the world you are traveling, of course.<\/p>\n

Luckily, melatonin is also available and quite commonly used as a supplement<\/strong> for the short-term treatment of fighting the symptoms of jet lag or sleeping disorders.<\/p>\n

How to prevent jet lag <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Unfortunately, there’s no magic pill that could completely prevent jet lag, however, there are a few tricks that can help. Through the years of traveling I have learned a few useful tricks that help me to adapt to different time zone quickly. I have gathered them in 5 simple steps<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

1 . Before the flight<\/strong><\/h6>\n

When booking the flight ticket, I always try to find a day flight<\/strong>. If I land when it gets dark, the body will get a signal it is time to go to bed. Sure, I will lose a day with traveling, but I rather sacrifice one day than walk around like a zombie for a couple more. Furthermore, try to adjust to the time difference a few days before departure<\/strong>. Go to bed an hour early if you are travelling east, and an hour late if you are travelling west.<\/p>\n