Natural Cures For Jetlag
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Flying the friendly skies can sometimes have an unfriendly effect on your good looks, physical capacity, level of awareness, and mental status. Under normal circumstances, our body clocks follow a cycle consisting of about 24 hours. However, when faced with a rapid time change, the body becomes disrupted and experiences what is known as ‘jetlag.’ Fortunately, there is a way to naturally fight back the repercussions of a body and mind that seems a bit confused in terms of time.
What is Jetlag?
Also known as ‘time zone change syndrome,’ jetlag is a sleep disorder that strikes anyone who travels across a variety of time zones within a short amount of time [1]. Your body is pretty good at telling you when it’s time to rise in the morning and when it’s time to hit the hay – thanks to our internal body clocks (or circadian rhythms). However, when you cross time zones that place your body at odds with your normal sleep patterns, jetlag is usually the result.
What Causes Jetleg?
Anytime you cross two or more time zones, the threat of jetlag increases. Once you arrive at your destination, your internal clock is out of sync. Let’s say you hopped a 4pm flight leaving on Tuesday from New Jersey and arrived in France at 7am Wednesday. Just as the French are stretching their arms to the sky (ready for a new day), your body clock is telling you that it is 1:00 in the morning – a little past your usual bedtime. For your time in France, your body will desperately race to adjust with your sleep-wake cycle and major bodily functions (including hunger and bowel habits) following suit.
A significant influence on how your internal clock reacts to time changes is the sun. The pineal gland (a part of the brain that influences circadian rhythms) greatly responds to darkness and light. During the night, the pineal gland releases melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) and during the day, the production of melatonin stops. This is why exposure to daylight during the adjustment period of a new time zone is vital for getting you used to your new surroundings.
Research also suggests that the fluctuations of cabin pressure during air travel could play a role in jet lag symptoms no matter how many time zones you may or may not cross. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study in July of 2007 highlighting the results of simulated air travel at cabin pressures equal to 7,000 to 8,000 feet of elevation. Discomfort in the muscles settled in, fatigue occurred, and an overall feeling of distress was reported. To boot, the majority of real airline cabins circulate rather dry air, thus creating a dehydrating effect. A case of mild dehydration is known to lead to headaches, eye and nasal stress, as well as bouts of depression.
Symptoms
When it comes to the symptoms of jetlag, not everyone will experience the same. While a typical occurrence is fatigue that lingers throughout the day, some people encounter gastrointestinal issues. Other complaints include:
a) Disorientation:
Some people complain that it is harder to concentrate after a long plane ride. Travelers may become less motivated to complete activities associated with their trip. Reading, driving the rental car, or preparing for a business meeting become tedious and cumbersome. The ability to truly get into the swing of things during a vacation is also affected.
b) Difficulty Sleeping:
Did you know that NASA estimates that it takes at least one day of readjustment for every one-hour time zone crossed to reach normal sleeping patterns and energy levels? With jetlag, it is harder to achieve revitalizing sleep.
c) Anxiousness:
Pair the uncomfortable conditions of airline seating and lack of legroom with other symptoms of jetlag and you’ll be dealing with one grumpy, anxious individual.
d) Swollen Legs and Feet:
Long flights cause legs and feet to swell and feel uncomfortable.
e) Loss of Appetite:
Some people do not feel like eating when dealing with jetlag. Sometimes, all they have on their mind is taking a nap and recouping.
f) Headaches:
It is not uncommon to endure a headache with jetlag, as well as sinus irritation [3].
g) Stomach Issues:
Constipation and diarrhea can accompany jetlag.
h) Menstrual Symptoms:
Women who travel often may experience symptoms that mimic the menstrual cycle [4].
Risk Factors
To some degree, nearly everyone who endures a long flight will suffer jetlag, however people who travel by air are not the only individuals to face this condition. Studies conducted by Upjohn and Conde Naste show that longhaul travelers are also victims of ‘jetlag.’ Additional risk factors associated with ‘time zone change syndrome’ include:
a) Profession:
If you are a business traveler racking up the frequent flyer miles, then you’re definitely a prime candidate for undergoing jetlag. For obvious reasons, pilots and flight attendants suffer the worst.
b) Age:
Older adults usually need more time to recover from the effects of long flights, meaning they face a higher risk for the condition than their younger counterparts.
c) North and South Pole Travel:
Trips that take you closer to the north and south poles (where depending on the time of the day – extreme daylight or darkness is present) can lead to the insomniac effects of jetlag.
d) Eastbound Trips:
People who fly east and “lose” time usually experience harsher jetlag symptoms than someone traveling west, where time is gained back.
Natural Cures for Jetlag
While jetlag is temporary, it can cause one to lose a bit of vacation time trying to play ‘catch-up’ or dim the senses when it comes to an important business meeting. Luckily, there are a few natural approaches to consider when you wish to get back on track, such as:
a) Step Into the Sun [5]:
Plenty of travelers have been successful in resetting their internal clocks by using sunlight to their advantage. Keep in mind that it is one of the most powerful, natural way to regulate your sleep-wake cycle. It is also suggested to plan ahead before arriving at your destination to determine the best times in which to catch a few rays.
b) Natural Sleep Aids:
When trying to get back to a normal sleep schedule, consider a natural sleep aid, such as valerian – a medicinal plant that produces a sedating effect and has found a place in treating insomniacs.
c) Homeopathic Remedies:
Some over-the-counter products, like No Jet Lag (praised by National Geographic Traveler and Woman’s World), provide natural and effective results for combating jetlag without any chemical side effects. No Jet Lag contains Arnica Montana (Leopard’s Bane), Bellis Perennis (Daisy), Chamomilla (Wild Chamomile), Ipecacuanha (Ipecac), and Lycopodium (Clubmoss) [6].
d) Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa:
According to various laboratory experiments, caffeine has proven successful in resetting body clocks in animals.
e) Avoid Alcohol:
Prevent further dehydration by foregoing alcohol and filling up with juices and water.
f) Walking and Jogging:
Getting your blood flowing, heart pumping, and muscles moving is a good way to improve your alertness, as well as absorb some much-needed sunlight.
g) Water:
Drinking plenty of fluids both during and after a flight can decrease the effects of dehydration from long plane rides. Airplane cabins can reach uncomfortable levels of dryness and keeping yourself hydrated will help you overcome symptoms of jetlag [7].
Resources
[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/jet-lag/DS01085
[2] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/jet-lag/DS01085/DSECTION=causes
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_lag
[4] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/jet-lag/DS01085/DSECTION=symptoms
[5] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/jet-lag/DS01085/DSECTION=lifestyle%2Dand%2Dhome%2Dremedies
[6] http://www.nojetlag.com/jetlag7.html
[7] http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0517.htm