Jet Lag

Jet lag is a sleep disorder that is characterized by a disruption to the circadian rhythm most often caused by travel to a different time zone. Jet lag, also known as
desynchronosis, can also be caused by shift work or a change in daylight savings time.

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The term "jet lag", however, refers to the condition many feel after having traveled on a jet plane to a new time zone. The light / dark cycle of the new part of the world disrupts the circadian rhythm of a person and may be accentuated by environmental factors of the new travel area as well.

When traveling to a new time zone, the body will get out of sync with eating and sleeping patterns previously established. Jet lag will occur when the body cannot automatically reset these patterns and rhythms.

Jet lag is a very individual sleep disorder that is generally seen as transitory and not chronic (though a few pilots and flight attendants may disagree). Some of the symptoms of jet lag may include headaches, tiredness, sleepiness, loss of appetite, disorientation, nausea, insomnia, irregular sleep patterns, irritability or irrational thinking.

The most jet lag a person can experience is 12 hours or half of the 24-hour clock. Traveling north to south, or vice versa, over long distances, say from Chicago, Illinois to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is less likely to cause jet lag than east to west travel (or vice versa) from say Phoenix, Arizona to Milan, Italy.

There is no one way to prevent or cure jet lag and people respond individually to different methods of overcoming this sleep disorder. Some will find that sleeping aboard the plane and taking in plenty of fluids is adequate. Others will stay up the night before their trip and state that this helps. Others will stay up once reaching their destination spot and fall into that location's day / night pattern as quickly as possible.

Many report that good sleep hygiene including healthy diet, exercise and relaxation help to overcome jet lag quickly. Others will use an herbal medication such as melatonin to aid in falling into the new location's day / night sleep routine.

There is no one way to recover from jet leg, so trying different methods to find one that works best for you is recommended. Experience is finding what works most favorably will make future travel that much more enjoyable.