By Jeannie Knudson
For many individuals, jet lag can put a damper on a vacation. Jet lag occurs when a person crosses one or more time zones quickly and their body hasn't adjusted to new sleep and wake cycles. Feeling listless, tired and even fluish are common symptoms of jet lag. Fortunately, jet lag is temporary and the symptoms may be reduced by planning ahead.
Causes
Jet lag usually occurs within a day or two after arriving in a new time zone. Jet lag is more prevalent in eastward travel, as people lose hours due to time changes. Everybody has certain sleep patterns and the farther they travel, the more this internal clock is disrupted.
Symptoms
Jet lag symptoms may include sleepiness or sleeplessness, lethargy, digestion problems and headaches. In more severe cases, disorientation and mood swings may occur.
Plan Ahead
A few days before a flight, make small changes to help adjust sleep patterns and lessen jet lag symptoms. Going to sleep an hour or two earlier for eastward travel and staying up a little later before westward travel will help the body regulate more quickly at the destination.
Light Therapy
Light, particularly sunlight, plays an important part in a body's sleep patterns. A couple of hours of sunlight the first day or two after landing will help adjust to the new time zone. If sleep is a problem at night, close the drapes and consider an eye mask to let in as little light as possible.
Fluids
In-flight cabin pressure may increase jet lag, especially on long flights. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, while avoiding caffeine and alcohol that can dehydrate a person as well as disrupt sleep patterns.
Sleep During Travel
Unless it is night at the destination, avoid sleeping on the flight. This can be hard, as sleep is a common way to pass the time on long flights. Changing a sleep pattern in-flight will often exacerbate jet lag upon arrival.
Resources
About the Author:
Jeannie Knudson is an avid traveler with a love for the written word. She has been a freelance writer for over 15 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Northern Iowa. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences on eHow and Travels.com.
