Tricks and Tips for Preventing Jet Lag

If you are a long distance traveler, you are probably well acquainted with jet lag. Almost everyone who takes a flight that covers at least three time zones will feel jet lagged in one form or another. Jet lag has nothing to do with how long you’ve been on the plane, but rather how far forward or backward you’ve gone in your day thanks to the time changes.

What is Jet lag?

Many people confuse being tired from a flight with being jet lagged. On my first flight I crossed only one time zone, but I was so tired I had to take a nap shortly after arriving at my destination. I wasn’t jet lagged; I was just exhausted from the terror of my first time in the air. I was so worked up about flying that when I landed safe and sound I was suddenly exhausted. Don’t mistake this for jet lag.

True jet lag will leave you feeling tired, a bit confused, and cranky. You may develop insomnia, headaches, and swelling in your arms and legs. If you are traveling internationally, the effects can knock a day off of your vacation. You may spend your first day lying in your hotel room trying to feel human again.

Causes of Jet Lag

There are many factors that contribute to jet lag. Being in poor health can mean you get hit harder and it will take you longer to recover. The pressure within the plane can leave you feeling tired and confused. The air within the plane is very dry and recycled, which will be irritating to your system.

The biggest problem that causes jet lag is your internal clock and the time zone changes. Your body is used to certain night and day schedule. If you fly from New York to Los Angeles there is a three-hour time difference. If you leave New York at one PM it is only ten AM In Los Angeles. If your flight takes six hours you arrive at seven PM your time but it is only four PM in Los Angeles. Your body still thinks it’s seven and may be winding down for the night. By eight PM Los Angeles time, you feel completely exhausted.

Preparing For Your Flight