It isn’t easy to travel long hours by flight. Apart from the monotony of being stuck inside a closed space, it also adds to the fatigue factor, makes you lethargic and can completely put your body clock haywire.
What such a situation is called is a jet lag. As a frequent traveller, you would have heard this term more than often. Scientists have estimated that it usually takes one full day to recover for every hour of time difference. So, if you travel from London to New York the consensus is that it will be around a week until you feel yourself again. It is a mismatch between our internal and external clocks.
Jet lag can cause anxiety, confusion, dizziness, sweating, nausea, headaches and indigestion. Not the best thing to experience if you’re away for business or fun, or have just returned home and are trying to get back into your usual routine.
So, how can one bet a jet lag?
Here are some easy ways that can help you fight the onset of a jet lag.
Eating habits play an important role –
Eating too much while on the flight or just before you board one, can be disastrous for your body. On your day of travel, eat a normal breakfast and normal lunch. Avoid food altogether – yes, it’s difficult – immediately before and especially during the flight. Concentrate on fluids especially water.
Upon arrival, eat soon after landing, as close to local meal time as possible. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Concentrate more on healthy food like vegetables and proteins.
Exercise is the key to saying bye to jet lag –
Long with limited food, also exercise. Yes, it’s difficult to do it inside the aircraft, but do it, as you’d do in your normal routine, before you take off.
Synchronize your work out with the local time zone. Do what you can, at approximately the same time as your usual routine, and preferably outside.
Exercise counters the effects of jet lag, shift work, and other disruptions to the body’s internal clock helping individuals adjust to shifted schedules.