How to Experience Jetlag-free Travel

People who travel a lot experience jetlag. Athletes, who travel to different countries for their tournaments, attribute their poor performance on jetlag. Business people, who go to various places for business meetings and other matters, hold jetlag as responsible for their less than stellar performance in a meeting. This goes to show that jetlag affects not only the physical condition of the body but the entire individual.

Jetlag, basically, refers to the condition of the body being disoriented. More often than not, jetlag is the result of crossing time zones, which affects the internal body clock of an individual. Some of the common symptoms of jetlag are inability to sleep at night, loss of drive, malaise, tiredness, inability to concentrate and headaches.

Generally, the severity of jetlag is dependent on the direction of the travel. Most experts say that the occurrences of jetlag are lesser when people travel westward than eastward. This is because the body rhythm is extended up to 27 hours when a person flies westward. In turn, the body is able to catch up with whatever changes in the environment

Moreover, the so-called “circadian rhythm” is greater than 24 hours when a person travels westward. This is because the time of the day is lengthened, thus, giving more time for the body to adjust.

In reality, there are no quick fixes to “cure” the signs of jetlag. However, there are ways to deal with it so as to start healthier in the new environment.

Here’s how:

1. Staying outside during the day is recommended to cope up with jetlag. This is because your body clock will be able to adjust at a faster rate if it becomes accustomed to the new surroundings. Usually, natural light aids in coping up with jetlag.

2. It is better to adjust your bedtime schedule so as to prevent the severity of the jetlag. In this way, your body clock will be able to cope up with the changes in the time setting.

3. It is best if you start eating, sleeping and doing your usual activities patterned to the local time setting of the new place and not to the usual time you were accustomed to back home.

4. If you are traveling for some important events, like the athletes or entrepreneurs, it is best to travel to your destination a day or so ahead of schedule so that you will be able to get your body acclimated to the area before your important event or meeting.

If you heed the above, jetlag should not pose much of a problem. It is just a matter of some initial adjustment and coping. After which, you can enjoy your new surroundings.