What is jet lag and how long does it last? Symptoms, how to get over it and tips to cure it
Ease the pain of your next long-haul flight with this handy guide
MOST of us dream of a holiday in the sun, but those long-haul flights can come with the drawback of sleepless nights, exhausted days and feeling woolly-headed.
But what is jet lag and how can you prevent it? Here's what you need to know next time you're struggling to adjust to a new time zone...
What is jet lag?
Jet lag refers to a whole range of symptoms people experience while adjusting to a new time zone, and different daylight hours.
It affects people of all ages - as the internal body clock struggles to adapt.
Jet lag can disturb your sleep at night, and make you feel drowsy and lethargic during the day. It can also cause digestion problems.
The more time zones you pass through, the more severe the symptoms will be.
Your body's 24-hour internal body clock is governed by circadian rhythms - which are disrupted when you cross through and into different time zones.
The body clock becomes set to your time zone by daylight hours and social interaction, so you're prepared to wake up fresh in the morning and wind down at night.
How can you treat jet lag?
The symptoms of jet lag tend to ease naturally within a few days, and the NHS advise a 'common sense' approach to treating it.
This includes eating and sleeping at the correct times for your new time zone, avoiding napping as soon as you arrive, and spending time outdoors - because the natural daylight will help your body adjust to a new routine.
Meanwhile, lowering oxygen levels in an aeroplane cabin could be the magic cure for combating jet lag, according to one study.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science, in Israel, say lowering oxygen levels in the air we breathe may aid recovery - after the move proved effective in mice.
Jet leg can disrupt your...
* Appetite
* Digestion
* Bowel habits
* Urine production
* Body temperature
* Blood pressure
How can you prevent jet lag?
There aren't any established ways to completely prevent jet lag - even if you are someone who travels regularly, such as pilots and members of cabin crew.
Having said that, it does help to:
- Catch up on sleep before travelling
- Stay hydrated and eat healthily on your flight
- Limit alcohol and coffee consumption on board
- Wear comfortable clothing and move around during your flight
- And don't nap unless it's night time in the place you're flying to.