What is jet lag 

Jet lag is a condition associated with long distance journeys. Jet lag is often very frustrating. It comes about as a result of going through different time zones. If one arrives several hours ahead or behind time they are likely to feel the effects of jet lag. Your body has an internal clock that its used to, once you travel into a different time zone you upset your body’s normal routine. It’s very hard for it to adjust to a different time zone. The change in environmental factors is also a major contributor to jet lag. Temperature changes can also cause disturbance to the normal body metabolism resulting to jet lag. The intensity of jet lag varies and depends on the degree of the time change. The greater the time difference between the new destination and your home, the more one experiences the effects of jet lag.

What is jet lag?

The mind and the body adjust differently to the new time zone. The mind is generally faster in adapting to the environmental changes. The body takes more time to process and adjust to the changes. Recovery from jetlag varies from one person to another. Children take a longer period to overcome jet lag. The average time taken by most people to adapt to new environmental changes is about two to three days. After this period normal sleep should resume. In a worst case scenario the jet lag can go for as long a week and cause insomnia. The lack of sleep disorients one’s mental clarity and reduces ones efficiency. Normally the insomnia should only last for a few days, if the condition persists, this could be an indicator of a more severe sleep problem and one should seek medical attention immediately.

How do you manage jet lag? 

It’s not advisable to take sleeping pills if one is experiencing jet lag. The pills will only offer a temporary fix to sleep problems plus you may get hooked to the drugs which are not healthy.  Natural remedies are a better approach. It’s important to come up with a sleep schedule and ensure that you follow it. This will help your body to adjust to the new sleeping routine and reduce the effects of jet lag. Substances such as caffeine and alcoholic drinks should be avoided as they will only aggravate the condition.  One can take herbal tea or cinnamon milk to help induce sleep.

How effective is jet lag diet? 

You may have come across various jet lag diets such as Argonne which are said to reduce the effects of jet lag. The effectiveness of diet is still a debatable issue. However, it should be noted that jet lag is more of a symptom or an after effect of long distance travel. This makes it very hard to cure the condition. What you should do is manage the condition through natural means. Diet solutions do not provide a lasting solution to reducing jet lag.