Why do people feel jet lag so much when they have to travel long distances quickly west or east?
As experts explain, our body is initially synchronized with its “local time”; — we simply live in it and adjust our physiology and all our actions to the indications of a wrist watch. But as soon as you fly to another time zone, the internal rhythms of the body go astray.
Then we begin to feel the first symptoms: at 4 a.m. we can’t sleep, but we want to eat, during the day lethargy and a desire to get to bed by all means overcome.
And at least a few days must pass for the internal rhythms to come into line with the new realities.
At the same time, some people are more “time independent” than others. According to the findings of scientists, the majority of the world's population has a daily cycle of just over a day. This allows us not to get confused in winter, when nights are longer than bright days, and in summer, when the opposite is true.
Let's listen to the advice of experts and try on our own to overcome or at least alleviate the symptoms of jet lag, which are often unavoidable when traveling.
- Always follow the rule: if the trip is short — for 1–2 days, don't fuss and stay in “home mode”. If you have to spend more than three days away from home, do not waste a minute and transfer your schedule to a new time: sleep at night, have breakfast in the morning, play sports, etc.
- Airplane — an important part of the transition to a new regime. Immediately after takeoff, set your clock to the new time and push off from it when you are about to start something.
- Rule three. On the first day, from the plane to the thought “to fall asleep faster,” give up alcohol in any form. Then the morning “sand” it will be softer in the eyes, and breakfast will come in handy. Further — easier.
- Once again, pay attention to sleep. Your watch — your assistant. After all, you switched the arrows on the plane. So do not succumb to weaknesses: night for sleep, day for wakefulness. Well, it will be completely unbearable, you can close your eyes for 15 minutes during the day (remember, like Stirlitz in “Seventeen Moments of Spring”).
- For prevention. Try not to test the body for strength under stress. Eat small and familiar foods. Hungry — have a bite. Listen to your inner voice, the main thing is not to overdo it in food.
- Fresh air will help you. And, of course, sunlight. Do not sit indoors, no matter how well air-conditioned it may be. Solar energy will help you adapt faster. Checked.