Jet lag advice

Time Travel

Australians know more about jet lag than most other nationalities, and that is because we can travel through several time zones in a matter of hours. This can give us a feeling of disorientation and sleeplessness when arriving at our destination.

The proper name for jet lag is 'desynchronosis' and is also experienced by shift workers, insomniacs and even night clubbers.

These rhythms are controlled by a part of our brain that is highly sensitive to light, and normally based on a regular 24 hour cycle that influences not only our sleep but also our body temperature, blood pressure and hormones.

The good thing is that jet lag can be managed if we do the right thing.

Prepare before you get on the plane by getting plenty of exercise and sleep in the days before departure.

1. Go to bed a couple of hours later than normal when flying westwards or earlier when flying eastwards.

2. Choose day flights if you can, and avoid red-eye flights or those that leave early in the morning.

3. Once on the plane, what you eat and drink will affect you. You should not drink alcohol or caffeine drinks. Also avoid decongestants and diet pills. Eat lightly. Heavy or spicy meals on the flight will keep you awake, as will meals high in protein. The best snacks are carbohydrates or dairy food.

4. Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water).

5. Exercise on the plane by walking around the aisles or following the exercises listed in the airlines magazines.

6. During a stopover take a shower if possible and walk around as much as you can.

7. Set your watch to the destination time. Pull the blinds down if it is night time at your destination. Airlines will serve meals to the destination times.

8. On arrival, exposure to sunlight helps stimulate your natural rhythms, while at night a pitch black room aids sleep.

9. Resist the urge to take a nap, it will only confuse your body and delay the time it takes to recover from a long trip. Try to stay active and awake until your normal bed time.

Other things such as reduced oxygen levels in the cabin and dry cabin air can cause drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, sore eyes and dehydration.

Be careful of taking sleeping pills because they can contribute to dehydration and leave passengers immobile for long periods which could lead to deep vein thrombosis.

Remember, jet lag causes a significant loss of concentration and reaction time, especially if driving a car.

Follow as many of the above rules as possible and you will find that you are a lot less fatigued at your destination.

You will be able to enjoy your holiday straight away.

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