Apparently there are some people out there who don’t suffer from jet lag. I am not one of those people! But as it turns out, there is a good, scientific reason for it.
The definition of jet lag is “a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across multiple time zones.” Our internal clocks stay home while we travel to another time zone, making our whole system out of sync. And it’s not actually just caused by a lack of sleep.
You probably won’t experience jet lag flying from Austin to Los Angeles, but flying from coast to coast can really affect some people. Flying overseas is much more difficult. There are many reasons for jet lag, and a lot of it has to do with the mechanics of our bodies while in flight. You can’t do much to change your environment, but you can do a few things to prepare yourself, and help yourself after travel.
Dehydration – An airplane cabin is notoriously dry. Mostly due to the altitude, but also the airplane filtration system. Add in a few drinks with caffeine or alcohol, which also cause dehydration, and you get dry skin and eyes, headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
Stress – We all know how stressful travel can be! You arrive super early to deal with baggage, go through security, find your gate, try to get comfortable in an ever-shrinking seat, and deal with being around lots of people who are also stressed out. Don’t forget to breathe!
Germs – I am a bit of a germaphobe myself, so the thought of all those germs on that tray table adds to my stress. But the airplane filtration systems can help filter out germs, and that’s why it’s good to leave your air vent open. That doesn’t help you avoid the flu from the guy sitting next to you coughing on everything.
Elevation and Pressure – Cabins are pressurized so it lessens the effects of being at a high elevation, but it can still tax your body. The cabin isn’t pressurized to sea level, but at a higher elevation than what you may be used to, which means less oxygen in the air. That can lead to ear pressure, swelling, and other symptoms that make you feel like you have altitude sickness.
What can you do about it?
Drink – Drink lots of water and avoid sodas and coffee. This is the number one thing to help avoid jet lag. It’s tempting to have a cocktail and relax, and that’s fine, but drink water also to avoid getting too dehydrated.
Move – Moving is the best way to prevent swelling. It gets your blood pumping and gets oxygen to your brain so you can ward off fatigue. Try to get up and move around at least every 30 minutes. It also reduces the chances of blood clots, known as deep vein thrombosis, that can occur with sitting too long on long flights.
Eat Healthy – Try to avoid greasy, fatty foods that cause bloating and gas. Bring healthy snacks like nuts, fruit, veggies or energy bars. Don’t forget your vitamins! Vitamin C will help your immune system and B12 will help with stress and mood and give you energy. Drink some fruit juice to get your vitamins and hydrate in one step!
Pressure – Popping your ears is a great way to relieve pressure, as well as yawning, chewing gum and sucking on candy. It’s also a good idea to bring noise cancelling headphones and a good travel pillow to be more comfortable and you can even try meditation during the flight to relieve stress.
Trick your body – You can trick yourself into getting back into sync. Try to get on the time zone of where you are traveling to. Only sleep on the plane if it’s nighttime where you are headed. That will help you adjust more quickly when you arrive at your destination.
Don’t rush – taking the first few days in your new destination will help you adapt to the new time zone. Schedule time to rest from your flight before you are on the run again. You will have a much better trip if your body is healthy and rested!