MeKnows

It is interesting that your jet lag feels greater when you travel east than when you travel west. Science has its answer to why this happens but even sleep specialists admit it would pain them to clarify the issue without being able to give a fuller introduction into processes going on in a human body. In a nutshell, it has to do with the fact that people tend to deal better with extended time, like when we move clocks back traveling west, ending up with an extra hour or two, than with compressed time, like when we move clocks forward traveling east, suffering from a couple of hours less. One way or another, jet lag has the potential to disrupt our natural rhythms and impacting most systems critical for our well-being. This means that our concentration levels sink, we have trouble remembering things correctly, we lack energy and feel irritation we do not know how to make go away. 

Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies have not yet marketed any product which has been created specifically for this affliction, despite the fact that the potential customer base appears to be endless at a time when plane travel, including long-haul (China-Europe, US-Europe and so on and so forth), has become mainstream and mass-oriented. Not to worry, though, as there are other methods to alleviate the symptoms of jet lag. They may be broken into three groups – those best undertaken before the flight, during the flight and after the flight.

Before:

It is important to have the right attitude to jet lag and take it into account when planning your holiday or business trip. Your first days after arrival might feel more sleepy and disoriented, which probably means they are not the best for straining activities, like intense sightseeing or negotiations. Leave some time for adjustment – this is the only, if slow, natural healer.

It helps to be organized when you travel, not least because it means less stress and unpleasant surprises that usually take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. You do not want to add extra burden to what you already have to go through.

You may consider going on a lighter diet a day or two before your flight to ease your stomach a bit. Your digestive system will be under pressure when you are on the go, also because it will have to deal with stress.

During:

Refrain from drinking alcohol, but do indulge with water, juice and other non-alcoholic beverages. They will help you stay hydrated and fresh.

If you can, move around and stretch your arms and legs on the plane. You do not want your muscles to have a day off and join the rest of the body in readjusting later.

After:

If unable to sleep upon arrival, try sleeping aids or synthetic melatonin, a hormone occurring naturally in human body, especially at nighttime, signaling it is time to sleep. Other natural remedies can help, too.

Keep doing sport.

You might take a short nap.