Avoiding Jetlag

By Catharine Allado

Jet lag is a temporary disorder as a result of the change in time zone when traveling. It causes disruption to our body clock, which may affect our physical, emotional and mental condition.

As our body struggles to cope with the current time, we might experience some common symptoms like: headaches, difficulty in sleeping at night, fatigue, loss of appetite, disorientation, dehydration and other discomforts.

Actually, there is no cure for jetlags, but there are several things you can do to avoid it. Please be advised that not all of these tips apply to all travel destinations, but some might be useful for you.

Here are 10 helpful tips:

1. Adjust your sleep time. Try to be accustomed to the new time zone by adjusting your regular sleeping hours an hour a day several days before your departure. This will help your body to adapt easier to the new environment.

2. Consult your Doctor. If you are taking any medications, be sure to talk to your doctor to find out the best strategy for adjusting your medication schedule and doctor appointments.

3. Adjust your watch. It will be helpful if you adjust your watch as soon as you board the plane. This will help your mind adjust to the time zone of your destination.

4. Drink lots of fluids. During your flight be sure to drink plenty of water to hydrate your body as remedy to the dry air environment.

5. Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages. These can cause dehydration and disrupt your sleeping schedule.

6. Move around during your flight. It is advisable to exercise while on the plane as this will help with your body's circulation. You can walk around once in a while, move your ankles and do some stretching.

7. Maintain a healthy diet. Be sure to watch what you eat. Remember, too much carbohydrates or sugar will affect your body's desire to sleep. Try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

8. Adapt to the local time. If you are expecting to arrive during the day, it will be best if you stay awake during the flight. However, if you're arriving during the night, go ahead and grab some sleep. This should help adjust your body clock.

9. Get enough rest. It is key to have a good amount of sleep for couple of nights to help adjust your body clock naturally.

10. Relax and enjoy when you reach your destination.

Writes articles for http://www.ladolceliving.com, your one-stop website for senior care, helping seniors and baby boomers find FREE and RELIABLE information from senior housing care such as assisted living and nursing homes, in-home care, articles and tips, health information, senior discounts and services, a senior online community, plus more.
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