Feeling run-down or sluggish due to jet lag, many business travelers find that they are frequently unable to concentrate on their work. This loss of work efficiency could prove costly. Jet lag disrupts our natural rhythms, confusing the “body clock,” which regulates the usual waking and sleeping hours.
Jet lag may affect physical and mental performance and the symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, disorientation, headaches, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, and more. Medical evidence also shows that jet lag makes travelers more susceptible to illness such as colds, flu, and upset stomachs. The following are a few simple tips to help you minimize the effects of jet lag:
□ Try to sleep on the plane as much as you can, but immediately adjust your sleeping schedule to the hours of your destination upon arrival. This means staying awake until nightfall if possible, even if you are tired on the day of arrival.
□ Drink plenty of fluids during and after the flight as dehydration is a leading cause of jet lag. This advice also includes avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated drinks.
□ Exercise moderately on the flight while you are awake. Stretch your arms and legs and walk up and down the aisles to stimulate circulation.
□ Adjust your eating schedule to the regular mealtimes of your destination soon after arrival. If possible, refrain from rich or exotic foods for the first couple of days. This will allow you to use your energy to recover and adjust to the new cycle rather than to digest heavy foods.
