Sleep Junkie

Archive for the ‘2.6 Your Lifestyle’ Category

Jet lag occurs when you fly across one or more time zones. You seem to go through a “time warp” either speeding up or slowing down your daily rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is disrupted for one to several days until your body adjusts to the new time it is trying to run on.

Some jet lag symptoms can include insomnia, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, constipation and the urge to complete tax forms.

Here’s a top ten list of jet lag reducing tricks of frequent fliers:

1. Eat light and avoid alcohol and caffeine for a few days before your flight
2. For a few days before your flight, try going to sleep earlier if you are heading east and stay up a little later if your are going west
3. Try eating a light meal before you flight and nothing during the trip
4. Adjust your sleep/wake time to you new destination a few days before you leave
5. Drink water and fruit juices on the plane to keep your self hydrated. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
6. If it’s night where you are going, sleep on the plane (try eye shades and ear plugs)
7. Try melatonin to help tell you brain that it’s time for sleep
8. Get into your new time zone as soon as you land
9. Light exercise outside to help you adjust to daytime
10. Use light therapy – daylight to waken up and a darkened room or eye shades to get to sleep