Content
Jet lag is a situation that occurs when there is a dysregulation between biological and environmental rhythms, and is often noticed after a trip to a place that has a different time zone than usual. This causes the body to take time to adapt and damage the person's sleep and rest.
In the case of jet lag being due to travel, symptoms appear in the first 2 days of travel and are characterized by tiredness, sleep problems, lack of memory and concentration. However, these symptoms can also appear in mothers of newborn babies, when the child is ill and does not sleep all night, and also in students who spend the night studying at dawn, as this causes a dysregulation between the rhythms of the person and the environment.
Main symptoms
Each person responds differently to changes in cycles and, therefore, some symptoms may be more or less intense or may be present in some and absent in others. In general, some of the main symptoms caused by jet lag include:
- Excessive tiredness;
- Sleep problems;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Slight memory losses;
- Headache;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Decreased alertness;
- Body ache;
- Variation of mood.
The Jet Lag phenomenon happens because there is a change in the 24-hour cycle of the body due to sudden changes, being more frequent to be noticed when going from one place to another with different time. What happens is that although the time is different, the body assumes that it is at home, working with the usual time. These changes alter the hours when you are awake or asleep, resulting in changes in the metabolism of the whole body and leading to the appearance of typical symptoms of Jet Lag.
How to avoid jet lag
As jet lag is more frequent when traveling, there are ways to prevent or prevent symptoms from being very present. For this, it is recommended:
- Set the clock to local time, so that the mind can get used to the new expected time;
- Sleep and rest a lot on the first day, especially on the first night after arrival. Taking 1 tablet of melatonin before bedtime can be a great help, since this hormone has the function of regulating the circadian cycle and is produced during the night with the aim of stimulating sleep;
- Avoid sleeping soundly during the flight, giving preference to naps, as it is possible to sleep at bedtime;
- Avoid taking sleeping pills as they can further disrupt the cycle. In this case, the most recommended is to take teas that promote a feeling of relaxation;
- Respect the time of the country of destination, following the time of meals and bedtime and getting up, as this way forces the organism to adapt more quickly to the new cycle;
- Sunbathing and strolling outdoors, as sunbathing stimulates the production of vitamin D and helps the body to adapt better to the new established schedule.
In addition, as a way to combat jet lag it is recommended to have a good night's sleep, which is difficult in this situation since the body is used to a completely different time. Check out the following video for some tips to get a good night's sleep:
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team